The nightlife and warm weather are a big draw for some vacationers, unless you're a member of Generation Z.
It's no secret that Zoom seniors have a serious case of wanderlust, with a Business Insider Survey 2023 showing that 43% think traveling is a more important goal than “advancing their education”. Travel is also ranked higher for “being creatively fulfilled” and “becoming debt-free.” On the other hand, things like entertainment and nightlife don't stimulate their desire to travel.
Data shared by Reservation of funds, a travel agency, has shed light on the key factors Gen Z considers when choosing a travel destination. The survey, conducted from January 2024 to February 2024, covered 32,300 people in 32 countries.
Gen Z ranked good food and natural scenery as the top deciding factors when choosing a vacation spot
Data from Booking Holdings indicates that natural landscapes have influenced Gen Z's travel decisions. Luis Alvarez/Getty Images
According to Booking Holdings, the top three factors influencing Gen Z travel destinations are delicious local cuisine, good value, and enchanting natural landscapes. Shopping and security then followed.
The data indicates that neither warm weather nor nightlife and entertainment make the top 10.
Although warm vacation destinations like Florida and Hawaii still attract tourists, winter travel remains popular. Tripadvisor Winter Travel Index 2023 found that 68% of Gen Z respondents planned to travel that winter.
Regarding nightlife and entertainment, efforts to save money from inflation could play a role. Generation Z also tends to consume less alcohol than previous generations.
As for Gen Z's motivation to travel, data shows that relaxation and exploring places they've never been are the biggest factors.
Gen Z gets most of their travel inspiration from social media
Warm weather wasn't at the top of Gen Z's travel trends. Thomas Barwick/Getty Images
Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z survey respondents (59%) told Booking Holdings that they find travel inspiration from social media. This is the highest rate of all generations surveyed.
It's no surprise that Gen Z is turning to social media for travel ideas, given the popularity of this type of online content. The hashtag “travel” has 42.6 million posts on TikTok, while Instagram has 732 million posts.
Social media has become a travel tool where content creators showcase local hidden gems, share daily vlogs, and give tips to their followers.
Although travel allows people to relax, it also helps Gen Z feel more confident. Data showed that 72% of Zoomers felt “like the best version of themselves” when traveling.
