Despite mounting economic pressures due to inflation and the Iran War, 89% of Millennials and 95% of Gen Z plan on taking a leisure trip in the next 12 months.
US
Travel
simple
US Gen Z vs Millennial Travelers 2026
"Millennial habits are set, but changing with age. Meanwhile, the economy is poised to cause Gen Z to define their travel identity for the future."
Despite mounting economic pressures due to inflation and the Iran War, 89% of Millennials and 95% of Gen Z plan on taking a leisure trip in the next 12 months. This, however, will likely lead them to spend less per-trip, and adjust the logistics of their travels while still trying to achieve their underlying travel goals.
Millennials are largely a known commodity within travel. The shock of the Great Recession during much of the generation’s early professional careers led them to value experiences over material things, which prioritized not only travel but immersion and authenticity. These still hold for the generation, but while their digital literacy let them take advantage of the emergence of OTAs and budget airlines, the tradeoff in the form of hardship experienced has become more acute. They want to take it a little slower, but still impart their travel values to their kids.
Gen Z may be similarly shaped if the current economic situation is prolonged and worse. Tech like AI is now as much a liability as an asset as they feel overwhelmed by the volume and spuriousness of information. This pressures them to make the “right” decision and scrutinize the value of travel, with wellness rising in importance. The focus on value and wellbeing will likely be defining characteristics of Gen Z in the future.
This Report Looks at the Following Areas:
Economic factors affecting Gen Z and Millennial travelers
How Gen Z’s identity as travelers is currently being written
The ways in which these groups are altering their plans amid economic conditions
Motivations and travel preferences for each generation
The factors influencing and impeding travel decisions
Attitudes toward travel that help explain Gen Z and Millennial thinking
Trends that shape Gen Z and Millennial travel
Collapse All
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for Gen Z and Millennial travel
Opportunities
Target wellness travel along lifestage, not monolithic “younger travelers”
Focus on community to build rapport with Gen Z travelers
Market to Millennials’ minds while accommodating their ageing bodies
THE MARKET
Pessimism and higher prices can curtail travel spending for some time
Graph 1: Consumer Sentiment Index, 2023-26
Spiking travel prices will cause Gen Zs and Millennials to scale back options
Job market fuels Gen Z’s worries
Graph 2: unemployment and underemployment rates, 2022-26
Lower birthrates mean Gen Z will be less family vacation-focused
Graph 3: live births (000), 2020-24
Pricing pressure and credit card debt can make travelers rethink plans
Graph 4: credit card debt balance, 2019-26
Gen Z may be on the precipice of defining themselves as travelers
THE CONSUMER
Travel plans
Costs could alter existing international, family trip plans
Graph 5: vacations planned in the next 12 months, by generation, 2026
Improve affordability for Millennials, provide guidance and assurances for Gen Z
Graph 6: negative effects on travel plans, by generation, 2026
Provide financial options for the trips Gen Z are willing to take on debt for
Graph 7: attitudes toward travel debt – any agree, by generation, 2026
Educate Gen Zs on local discovery to help make travel happen
Graph 8: causes of changes to travel plans, by generation, 2026
Motivations and preferences
Position travel as a way to achieve goals, not to run from one’s stressors
Graph 9: vacation motivations, by generation, 2026
Brands across verticals have options in appealing to Gen Zs and Millennials
Indulge Older Millennials transitioning out of their “roughing it” phase
Graph 10: vacation preferences, by generation (Millennials split out), 2026
Millennial non-parents’ definitions go deeper
Influences and barriers
Brands must cement an authoritative rapport as they age to stay relevant in the future
Graph 11: influences on travel decisions, by generation, 2026
Interweave partnerships with actionable travel information
Dovetail travel offerings with Gen Z’s desire to express themselves
Graph 12: attitudes toward travel values – any agree, by generation, 2026
Explore Minnesota highlights values, not venues
Simplifying planning and booking can make Gen Z feel better about spending
Graph 13: top three barriers to taking a vacation – net any rank, by generation, 2026
Attitudes toward travel
Be clear to Gen Z how wellness travel benefits them and their time
Graph 14: attitudes toward wellness travel – any agree, by generation, 2026
Shou Sugi Ban House markets well to wellness, luxury-minded Gen Z
Connect activities with Gen Z’s social needs
Graph 15: attitudes toward travel activities – any agree, by generation, 2026
Gen Z may welcome more direction in event discovery, but will Google let them see the options?
MINTEL TRENDS IMPACTING GEN Z AND MILLENNIAL TRAVELERS
Total Wellbeing
The Affection Deficit
Anti-Algorithm
Thriving with Age
APPENDIX
Report scope
The consumer
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology
Consumer research methodology, cont.
US generation groups
Abbreviations
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