by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 2:52 PM ET, Fri March 1, 2019
From shows that involve animals performing to posed photos with those same animals or staged cultural visits, about 39 percent of Americans say they have a "travel guilt," after taking a trip that they later worry may have been unethical.
A new study conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Exodus Travels reveals that the movement toward responsible tourism is on the rise.
In fact, in one particularly notable statistic from the study, 91 percent of international travelers say it's important for their trips to be ethical.
The new study, which involved surveying 2,000 internationally-traveling Americans, also revealed the following sentiments among American travelers:
-Taking an ethical trip involves learning about the culture (63 percent), learning simple phrases in the language (56 percent) and buying souvenirs from local merchants (56 percent).
-78 percent consider themselves to be more ethically-conscious travelers than they were a decade ago.
-Respondents include riding on elephants (18 percent), swimming with dolphins (19 percent) and posing for photographs with captive wildlife (21 percent) on their list of unethical activities they wouldn't do again.
-Additionally, travelers report respecting monuments (54 percent) and supporting local businesses (44 percent) as part of their commitment to responsible tourism.
To make amends for their travel guilt, 67 percent of respondents now research a destination and the activities offered before traveling-with six hours found to be the average time spent researching a trip.
Travelers also say they've become more ethical as a result of that research (61 percent), or have increased concern for the environment (60 percent). This is in addition to seeing news coverage (52 percent) and watching documentaries like "Blackfish" (52 percent).
Yet another statistic from the report showed that 74 percent of respondents worry whether their tourism dollars are going to the right place, which may be why it's important to the majority (56 percent) of respondents that when taking a guided tour, the company uses local tour guides.
Additionally, respondents want tour companies to have responsible wildlife policies (57 percent) and a policy on ethical tourism (52 percent), with 70 percent reporting that they often research a company's ethical tourism policy before signing up for a tour.
To guarantee an ethically-responsible trip, the average respondent would be willing to pay 33 percent more for the trip.
"When it comes to traveling ethically, booking with a company that actively prioritizes responsible travel practices - offering reusable water bottles over single-use plastics, hiring local guides to support local communities and practice hands-off wildlife policies, for example, is so important," Tom Harari, manager of responsible tourism, product and commercial for Exodus.
"These may seem like little things to the average adventurer, but it's the little choices, like traveling with a tour company that cares about people, the planet and the creatures we share the world with that can have big benefits-like empowering communities, preserving fragile ecosystems and ensuring our favorite spots on the planet are actually around for years to come," said Harari.
Another thing ethically-conscious travelers are doing is taking trips led by female guides (61 percent), who respondents report being "more detailed," giving tours "filled with more relevant facts" and being "more careful and ethical with the environment" than their male counterparts.
Seventy-two percent of respondents are more likely to travel with a company that actively champions for women's rights and equality.
"We all know that when given the chance, women can help lift up economies and only by working together can we create global change," says Robin Brooks, Exodus Travels' marketing and PR manager.
"It's so important that our travels support and give power to women, who can often sustain entire families in developing destinations with their work as well as inspire future generations of girls," says Brooks.
"It's actually very simple-opt to travel with a tour company which actively works to elevate, educate and empower females in countries where tourism is predominantly a male-dominated profession-whether it's by providing training and teaching for higher-paying jobs or partnering with female-owned organizations and businesses. The more travelers share and support women's rights' messaging while abroad, the better the future of travel will be for all of us."
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