Sustainable travel is more than a trend—it’s the future of tourism. As climate awareness grows, more and more of what we like to call eco-conscious travelers are seeking out villas that align with their values. They’re not just booking a stay; they’re choosing to support properties that care for the planet as much as they do. And trust us, they notice the details.
According to Booking.com’s 2025 Travel & Sustainability Report, 84% of global travelers consider sustainability important, and 73% are willing to pay more for eco-conscious experiences. This shift presents a significant opportunity for villa owners and property managers to adapt and take the lead.
Whether you manage a beach villa in Bali or a countryside retreat in Tuscany, implementing sustainable villa practices can boost bookings, build guest loyalty, and protect the environment.
The question is, how can you make your property ‘stand out’ to this new wave of mindful explorers? Worry not, we can help. Here’s a complete guide to making your villa more sustainable and meeting the expectations of today’s responsible travelers.
What is a Sustainable Villa?
As defined by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), sustainable tourism takes full account of its current and future economic, social, and environmental impacts. It’s addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment, and host communities.
This means sustainable tourism goes beyond just protecting the environment; it also promotes social well-being, cultural preservation, and the economic prosperity of local communities
Why Sustainable Villas are The Future of Travel

The global sustainable tourism market is projected to grow from $2.86 trillion in 2023 to $5.67 trillion by 2028 (Research and Markets, 2024). Villa owners who embrace sustainability now will gain a long-term advantage: more bookings, higher guest satisfaction, lower costs, and a stronger reputation.
This marks a clear shift: sustainable tourism is no longer a niche. It’s becoming the norm. For villa owners, this is both a challenge and an opportunity. So, how do you attract and retain this growing market of eco-conscious travelers?
How to Make Your Villa More Sustainable?
Making your villa more sustainable is all about implementing smart, practical changes that reduce your environmental impact and enhance your guest experience. Below, we’ve broken it down into bite-sized steps:
1. Conduct a Sustainability Pre-Assessment
Knowing where you stand is key. A sustainability pre-assessment helps you understand your villa’s current environmental and social practices. It covers practical areas like switching to energy-efficient LED lighting, installing occupancy sensors to save electricity, separating waste for recycling or composting, and supporting local businesses and community activities. This gives you a clear starting point and a tailored action plan to improve and move toward eco-certification. If you’re unsure where to begin, you can do a pre-assessment by clicking on this link. And if you need more guidance, you can follow step by step with free resources and recommendations.
2. Transparency and Visibility Are Essential
Travelers today are looking for more than just promises—they want proof. A sustainability certification ensures your villa is assessed by an independent auditor, protecting you from greenwashing (falsely claiming to be environmentally friendly in order to appear sustainable and attract eco-conscious consumers) and building real credibility. In fact, according to Booking.com’s 2023 report, 65% of travelers feel better about staying in accommodations with a verified sustainability certification. To ensure transparency and credibility, consider certification bodies such as Green Globe, EarthCheck, GSTC-accredited standards, or Sustonica.
The next step is transparency and communication. Use your booking platforms, website, and welcome guide to clearly share what sustainable practices you’ve implemented and why they matter. Guests appreciate knowing their stay supports responsible tourism.
At Villa Finder, we support our villas by:
- Awarding special badges to certified sustainable villas on our platform.
- Displaying certification results for transparency.
- Using special algorithms to give your villa a visibility boost when you go green.
3. Make Quick and Affordable Green Upgrades
Not every change requires major investment. Here are cost-effective ways to go green:
- Save the energy in your villa
- Use low-flow faucets and showerheads to conserve water
- Provide reusable amenities instead of single-use plastics and manage your waste.
- Use eco-friendly cleaning products and toiletries
These changes are not only budget-conscious, but they also lower your operational costs and attract eco-conscious guests who value wellness and sustainability. In particular, offering a toxic-free environment through natural cleaning solutions can significantly enhance your guests’ experience. Making your villa feel safer, healthier, and more aligned with their values.
4. Blend Luxury with Eco-Friendly Design

Today’s travelers expect comfort without compromising sustainability. Booking.com’s 2024 predictions show that 53% of travelers seek eco-luxury stays. Enhance your villa by:
- Integrating natural materials and indoor plants
- Building or remodeling using sustainable architecture
- Creating open-air, well-ventilated spaces to reduce AC usage
Not only does this approach enhance guest satisfaction, but it also positions your property as a luxury eco-retreat. Appealing to a growing segment of conscious, high-value travelers who are willing to spend more for experiences that align with their values.
5. Support Local Culture and Communities
Travelers are seeking authentic experiences that allow them to engage with local communities and cultures. Booking.com’s 2023 report indicates that 69% of travelers want their spending to benefit the local community. Villas can create this by promoting local artisans, offering regional cuisine, providing information about nearby cultural attractions, and using the local artists’ products as a decoration.
At Villa Finder, we’re here to support you. Our 24/7 concierge team can help your guests enjoy guided nature experiences, cultural visits, and in-villa activities like traditional cooking classes in your villa or the best spot in the Seminyak or Ubud area!
6. Encourage Eco-Friendly Guest Behavior
Guests appreciate the opportunity to reduce their impact during their stay, and they bring their eco-friendly habits on vacation. To raise awareness about it, you can provide clear signage and amenities that support these habits. Add recycling bins, offer digital guidebooks, and consider incentives for low-impact guests (e.g., discounts or free experiences) (GSTC)
7. Keep Sustainable Travel Affordable
While 73% of travelers are willing to pay more for sustainable stays, affordability remains a barrier. To attract a broader audience:
- Promote off-season eco-discounts.
- Offer special packages and combine activity packages for sustainable travelers.
- Highlight utility savings and how their stay helps the environment.
- Create a unique experience for the guests (Ecoprint, upcycling product, etc.).
- If you have a big garden, you can create a farm-to-table campaign and combine it with a cooking class activity.
- Collaborate with local NGOs to create volunteer activities.
These experiences deepen the connection between guests and the destination, and it will add emotional value that justifies a slightly higher rate.
8. Collaborate With Expert
You don’t have to do it alone. Many platforms, such as Enviro Rental and us at Villa Finder, offer FREE support from sustainability coordinators who can help you assess, plan, and implement greener practices at your villa.
Take the Next Step: Make Your Villa More Sustainable

Eco-conscious travelers are actively searching for green villas and ethical accommodations. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow your business while making a positive impact.We can help you out. Contact us today for a free sustainability consultation and grow together with us: assess, improve, and promote your villa’s eco-friendly efforts at no cost.