Low angle view of happy young woman holding chopsticks with noodles while having dinner at street
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Why and how we travel is personal and varies greatly from person to person—but a newly published survey is suggesting that the travel habits and preferences among young people have changed significantly compared to their older counterparts.
The new “Voice of a Generation” report by Contiki surveyed over a thousand American travelers between the ages of 18 and 35 about their personal travel habits—and the results show how Gen Z and Millennial travelers are reshaping what travel means to the average young person.
Here are the top findings, ranging from nostalgia-based itineraries to choosing time off over getting a pay raise:
Prioritizing PTO Over a Raise
The survey suggested that the majority of Gen Z and Millennials value experience over money — an impressive 54% of respondents noted that they would prefer receiving additional paid time off over a raise.
Nostalgia-Inspired Travel Itineraries
Nostalgia-based travel is also on the rise among young people. The survey found that 78% of respondents have already recreated or want to recreate a trip they took in childhood.
Sustainable Tourism
The survey found that 69% of respondents would prefer to visit less-crowded destinations to help combat overtourism in major cities and countries. It also found that 50% of respondents rated sustainability as being ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ important to them when planning a trip.
Travel to Combat Burnout
Traveling has always been used as a form of escapism — but the survey noted that 67% of respondents weren’t just traveling for a little R&R but rather to recover from burnout in the workplace.
Set-Jetting
Gen Z and Millennial travelers are all about set-jetting, with 66% of respondents admitting to having booked a trip based on a TV show, movie, or book. The most popular set-jetting inspiration came from Mamma Mia!, Harry Potter, and The White Lotus.
Wellness-Focused Travel
More than 30% of respondents shared that they prefer adding experiences like hiking and cycling into their routine. What’s more, over 50% of respondents shared that they make an active effort to maintain their wellness routine even while traveling abroad.
An Increase in Digital Detox
It’s not all about the Instagram highlight reel anymore. The survey found that 89% of respondents shared they would be open to leaving their phone at home if it meant scoring a free holiday.
