Sri Lanka Sustainable Travel 2026: What Global Tourism Leaders Are Doing — and How It Affects Your Holiday

In early 2026, Booking Holdings   the parent company of Booking.com, Agoda, Priceline, KAYAK and OpenTable — published its 2025 Sustainability Report. It is a document that most travellers will never read. But it reveals something that matters to anyone planning a holiday in Sri Lanka: the global travel industry is being reshaped by sustainability, and the choices you make as a traveller are increasingly supported by data, certification and accountability.

At Rediscover Journeys, we read these reports carefully. This article explains what the 2025 report says, what it means for sustainable tourism in Sri Lanka, and how it should shape your next Sri Lanka holiday.

What Is Booking Holdings, and Why Does Its Report Matter?

Booking Holdings is one of the world’s largest online travel companies, operating across more than 220 countries and territories. Its brands — Booking.com, Agoda, Priceline, KAYAK and OpenTable — influence how millions of people book hotels, flights and experiences.

When a company of this size publishes a sustainability report, it sets a benchmark for the industry. It also tells us something important: the supply of sustainable travel options is growing, and the standards behind them are becoming more credible.

The Key Findings from the 2025 Sustainability Report

The report is structured around three pillars: Reducing Our Impact on the Planet, Supporting People & Communities, and Enabling More Sustainable Travel. Here is what matters most.

1. Emissions Are Falling — But the Data Is Complicated

Booking Holdings reports that its Scope 1 and 2 emissions (from its own offices and operations) are down 94% compared to 2019. That is a remarkable reduction, achieved through renewable electricity sourcing and energy efficiency.

Its Scope 3 emissions — the indirect emissions across the value chain, which make up 99% of the company’s total footprint — are also down. But the report is honest about why:

• The company improved its methodology in 2025, using more detailed activity-level data.

• Under the new methodology, 2025 emissions are 30% lower than 2019.

• Under the old methodology, they would have been 17% higher than 2024.

This is important. It shows that better data changes the picture, and that sustainability reporting is still evolving. For travellers, it means that claims should be read with care — and that credible certification matters more than ever.

2. The Number of Certified Accommodations Is Growing

This is the finding with the most direct relevance to Sri Lanka.

Booking Holdings reports that the number of accommodation partners with third-party sustainability certification on its platforms grew by 22%, from 23,000 to 28,000. In 2025, there were more than 100 million as-booked room nights at certified properties.

The report also explains why this growth matters:

• 68% of travellers say they want to travel more sustainably.

• But the supply of credible options is limited, and standards are inconsistent.

• Third-party certification provides a reliable, transparent standard that travellers can trust.

For Sri Lanka, this is a signal. The island’s hotels and villas are increasingly seeking certification — and travellers are increasingly looking for it.

3. Industry Collaboration Is Scaling Solutions

The report highlights several partnerships:

• Research with Accor and the University of Surrey on how to communicate sustainability effectively to guests.

• Agoda’s partnership with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) to provide free digital training for accommodation providers across Asia.

• Agoda’s Sustainable Tourism Impact Fund, in partnership with WWF and the UnTours Foundation, providing low-interest capital to small tourism businesses.

These are not abstract commitments. They are practical steps that help small and medium-sized tourism businesses in Asia — including Sri Lanka — adopt sustainable practices.

4. Human Rights and Anti-Trafficking Work Is Expanding

The report also covers the company’s work on human rights, including:

• Property-by-property assessments in conflict-affected areas.

• Anti-human trafficking campaigns in partnership with It’s a Penalty, reaching over 250 million people.

• Training for 240,000 accommodation partners on preventing human trafficking.

For Sri Lanka, this reinforces the importance of ethical tourism — and of choosing operators and accommodations that take these issues seriously.

What This Means for Sustainable Tourism in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is at a turning point. The island’s tourism industry is recovering, and there is a growing awareness that the future must be more sustainable, more community-focused and more accountable.

Here is how the global trends in the Booking Holdings report apply to Sri Lanka:

1. Certification Will Become the Standard

As more travellers look for eco-certified hotels in Sri Lanka, the market will respond. We expect to see more Sri Lankan properties pursuing GSTC certification, Green Globe or Travelife certification.

At Rediscover Journeys, we prioritise properties that are making genuine efforts — not just marketing claims. See our Luxury Hotels collection and our Responsible Travel & Charity page.

2. Community Tourism Will Grow

The report’s focus on small and medium-sized businesses aligns with Sri Lanka’s own tourism strategy. Community-based tourism — village stays, local guides, family-run guesthouses — is one of the most powerful ways to ensure tourism benefits local people.

Explore our Community Tourism and Village Experiences guides.

3. Data and Transparency Will Improve

The report’s honesty about its methodology change is a lesson for the whole industry. Better data means better decisions. For Sri Lanka, this means:

• More accurate measurement of tourism’s environmental impact.

• More transparent communication from hotels and operators.

• More informed choices for travellers.

4. The Role of the Traveller Is Changing

The report notes that 68% of travellers want to travel more sustainably. But it also acknowledges the gap between intention and action. For Sri Lanka, this means:

• Travellers will increasingly ask about sustainability practices before booking.

• Operators will need to be able to answer those questions clearly.

• The most successful operators will be those that make sustainable choices easy and attractive.

How to Travel More Sustainably in Sri Lanka

Here are practical steps you can take, informed by the global trends in the report:

1. Choose Certified Accommodation

Look for hotels and villas with third-party sustainability certification — GSTC, Green Globe, Travelife. Ask your operator for details. At Rediscover Journeys, we can advise on the properties making genuine efforts.

2. Travel with a Licensed, Local Operator

Licensed operators — registered with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) — are accountable to national standards. They also tend to employ local guides and support local communities. See our Trust & Credibility page.

3. Choose Slower, Longer Stays

A slow travel approach — fewer locations, longer stays, more time in each place — reduces transport emissions and deepens your connection to the destination. See our Slow Travel Sri Lanka guide.

4. Support Community Tourism

Choose experiences that benefit local people: village cooking classes, community-run guesthouses, local guides, artisan workshops. See our Community Tourism and Sri Lanka Craft Experiences guides.

5. Be a Responsible Wildlife Traveller

Choose ethical safaris that respect animal welfare and support conservation. See our Wildlife Safaris and Leopard Safari guides.

6. Reduce Your Own Footprint

• Travel overland where possible.

• Carry a reusable water bottle (many hotels now offer refill stations).

• Avoid single-use plastics.

• Offset your flights where possible.

7. Ask Questions

The most powerful thing a traveller can do is ask. Ask your hotel about its sustainability practices. Ask your operator about community partnerships. The more travellers ask, the more the industry responds.

Sri Lanka’s Own Sustainability Journey

Sri Lanka’s tourism authorities have their own sustainability agenda, including:

• SLTDA registration and licensing for hotels and operators.

• Tourism Development Levy funding public tourism infrastructure.

• Growing support for community-based tourism and eco-tourism.

• A national focus on wildlife conservation and protected areas.

For official information, contact the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA):

• Address: No. 80, Galle Road, Colombo 03

• Telephone: +94 112 426 800

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: www.srilanka.travel

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Booking Holdings 2025 Sustainability Report?

It is the annual sustainability report from Booking Holdings, the parent company of Booking.com, Agoda, Priceline, KAYAK and OpenTable. It covers the company’s progress on emissions, human rights, community support and sustainable travel options.

How does this report affect my Sri Lanka holiday?

It shows that the global travel industry is moving toward more credible sustainability standards. For Sri Lanka, this means more certified hotels, more community tourism options, and more transparent information for travellers.

What is third-party sustainability certification?

It is an independent verification that a hotel or tour operator meets recognised environmental and social standards. Examples include GSTC, Green Globe and Travelife.

Are there eco-certified hotels in Sri Lanka?

Yes, and the number is growing. Ask your operator for details, or look for certification logos on hotel websites. At Rediscover Journeys, we can advise on the properties making genuine efforts.

How can I travel sustainably in Sri Lanka?

Choose certified accommodation, travel with a licensed local operator, stay longer in fewer places, support community tourism, choose ethical wildlife experiences, and reduce your own footprint. See our Responsible Travel & Charity page.

What is the Tourism Development Levy?

It is a mandatory government charge on registered tourist accommodation in Sri Lanka. Confirm with your hotel or operator that it is included in the quoted rate. For details, contact SLTDA on +94 112 426 800 or [email protected].

Where do I report a problem during my Sri Lanka holiday?

Your first call is always your Rediscover Journeys chauffeur-guide or our 24/7 enquiry service. For official assistance, dial the national tourism hotline 1912, or contact the Sri Lanka Tourism Police on +94 11 242 1052. See our Sri Lanka Tourist Police guide.

Travel with Confidence — and with Care

The future of travel is more sustainable, more accountable and more connected to local communities. Sri Lanka is well placed to be part of that future — and travellers like you are part of the change.

At Rediscover Journeys, we build journeys that are private, slow and purposeful. We choose properties with genuine sustainability commitments, support local guides and communities, and help you travel in a way that benefits the island.

Begin a Conversation with our travel designers today.

Explore More

• Responsible Travel & Charity — our sustainability commitments

• Community Tourism — tourism that benefits local people

• Sri Lanka Village Experiences — authentic community encounters

• Sri Lanka Craft Experiences — supporting local artisans

• Slow Travel Sri Lanka — unhurried, lower-impact travel

• Wildlife Safaris — ethical wildlife experiences

• Sri Lanka Responsible Travel — the complete ethical guide

• Sri Lanka Authentic Travel — meaningful connections

• Trust & Credibility — Trustpilot, SLTDA, awards

• Sri Lanka Tourist Police Guide — safety contacts and hotlines

• Luxury Hotels Sri Lanka — our curated collection

Trusted by travellers — see our reviews on TripAdvisor and Trustpilot.

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