Study Reveals Someone Can Be Indifferent to the Environment during Holidays

Illustration of vacation and not caring about the environment. (Pexels)

JAKARTA - A study by the University of Queensland (UQ) revealed that during the holidays, a person can become less concerned about the environment. Psychologically, there is an identity difference when a person is at home and on vacation.

Their values and habits at home can change immediately when they arrive at their holiday destination, whether it's at the hotel they are staying at or at a tourist attraction.

Quoted from Eco Business, on Friday, February 20, 2026, psychologically individuals will feel more free, less responsible, and no longer apply sustainable behavior (environmental protection) during the holidays.

This is called 'the identity of a vacation spot', which causes tourists to feel entitled to have fun, free from various binding rules, and without any burden.

Meanwhile, when at home, they are in the 'homeplace identity' mode, which tends to behave more regularly, care about the environment, save energy, and control themselves.

"We have introduced 'vacation place identity' as a different psychological state that arises due to travel (vacation)," said the research team, Dorine von Briel.

"This contrasts with the 'identity of the place of return' which is rooted in routines, responsibilities, and long-term emotional relationships," he added.

The research said that the shift in identity is common. During holidays, tourists tend to be more wasteful of electricity, such as turning on hotel room lights and air conditioners continuously.

Then they also become irresponsible for throwing garbage in the right place, as well as using water and resources excessively, unlike usual.

Therefore, it is necessary for tourists to be aware of maintaining the environment wherever they are. The tourism industry must also find new ways of how and when to remind tourists, to continue to implement sustainable behavior during the holidays.

It is hoped that these efforts or appeals will be carried out early before the departure of tourists, instead of at the destination when they have changed their identity mode.