Duolingo reports a 32% rise in Gen Z users over the past two years
There is a new trend for short European getaways driven not by sightseeing, but by the desire to practise languages in real life and experience destinations through a local lens, according to new research from Airbnb and Duolingo.
Coined “Bilingual Breaks”, over 60% of UK Gen Z have planned or are considering a short European getaway this year – focused on cultural immersion in hidden-gem destinations, where they can put language skills to practise in everyday moments.
Duolingo reports a 32% rise in Gen Z users over the past two years – with the average streak exceeding six months.
Airbnb has seen a notable increase in rural destination bookings for Gen Z UK travellers this spring/summer compared to last year, while at the same time, “micro-cations” are becoming the go-to format, as over the spring period, group getaways average at three nights total.
With Spanish, French, German and Italian among the top 5 languages for UK Gen Z learners,6Airbnb and Duolingo have teamed up to spotlight trending, lesser-known regions across these countries.
Spain
France
Germany
Italy
Airbnb and Duolingo are rewarding new or returning users who complete a Duolingo lesson with 10% off an Airbnb stay.
“Gen Z isn’t learning languages just to tick a box before a trip – they’re learning because they actually want to understand the world better,” said Bozena Pajak, VP of Learning and Curriculum at Duolingo. Travel gives learners a powerful reason to use what they’ve learned in real life – whether that’s ordering food, chatting with locals, or feeling more confident exploring somewhere new. Partnering with Airbnb helps turn everyday learning into real-world experiences.”
Lisa Marçais, Country Manager, UKI, Northern Europe & MEA General Manager at Airbnb, said: “Young travellers are hungry to discover places that don’t appear on everyone’s social feed – cobbled villages, hidden coastal towns, spots where translated menus are rare and local life is abundant. This appetite for off-the-beaten-path travel is fuelling a new wave of language learning, and together with Duolingo, Airbnb is uniquely placed to turn those skills into truly authentic experiences -with rural stays and local hosts ready to make every trip unforgettable.”
