In the years since the COVID-19 pandemic, travel has well and truly returned (and is hopefully here to stay).
As the years have progressed, Gen Z are now in a place where they are able to start travelling and forge their own itineraries.
In a recent survey from Contiki dubbed the ‘Voice of a Generation 2023’, Gen Z is changing the way holidays look.
The results surveyed 2,100 18 to 35 year olds about their thoughts on certain travel elements.
Rise in the solo traveler.
While it once might have been ‘trendy’ to go on holiday with your friends, Gen Z is turning that idea on its head.
According to the survey by Contiki, 57 per cent said they decided to travel solo because they were ‘generally fed up’ with life at home.
While 38 per cent said they were solo travelling between jobs and another 31 per cent said they decided to travel solo as trying to organize a trip with friends had been “a nightmare”.
Similarly, a 2023 article from the Journal of Tourism and Economic found that solo travel was especially trendy with Gen Z women who were looking for the opportunity to enjoy tourist attractions in a safe, secure and affordable environment.
Alcohol-free travel is on the rise.
Contiki Philippines Daracotan Island ()
As a whole, Gen Z’s are less interested in drinking than their older counterparts.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), more and more young people are abstaining from alcohol.
This has also fed into Gen Z travel plans. In their survey, Contiki found that 76 per cent of young Aussies would consider an alcohol-free travel experience.
Sustainable ways of travel for Gen Z.
Sustainability is big for Gen Z as a whole.
Keeping what’s important for the environment in mind, Contiki found that 77 per cent of the people surveyed would happily choose to travel by coach, 64 per cent would travel by train and 59 per cent by boat, over air travel because it’s better for the environment.
41 per cent of young people also said they wanted to give back to local communities as a motive for choosing a travel experience.
And 16 per cent said they wanted to visit developing nations which could benefit from more tourism.
As Gen Z continues to travel, it’s clear they are ‘flying’ in new directions.
Header image: Contiki.
