Gen Z and millennial travel trends, from why Facebook and Instagram are key to planning trips, to how wellness activities and homestays are hits

Generation Z is the first raised around smartphones and it shows in how much they rely on social media for travel inspiration. But millennials aren’t far behind

From choosing smaller accommodation and trips to villages, to why authentic, responsible experiences are important, how younger tourists are different

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Young tourists in Japan using a smartphone. Social media plays a big role in how Gen Zers and millennials travel. We look at trends among young tourists, from taking inspiration from Instagram to why authentic experiences are key. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 4:15am, 14 Dec 2023Updated: 5:23am, 14 Dec 2023

Generation Z – people born between 1997 and 2012 – is coming of age and developing into a force when it comes to international travel.

One of the most striking differences between Gen Z and their older peers is that almost all of the former are digital natives who have grown up relying heavily on their phones and other digital devices.

Not surprisingly, social media is where many Gen Z travellers from the Asia-Pacific region find their inspiration for travel, with more than half of them relying on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook to learn about destinations and experiences, according to a survey conducted in August by online travel agency Klook.

The survey looked at travellers in 12 Asian markets, including China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, India, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.

A diner photographs her food at a cafe in Singapore. Posting on social media – not just scrolling through feeds for information on destinations – is popular with younger travellers. Photo: Getty Images

Similarly to Gen Zers, most millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) use social media, at least to some degree, to find information related to travel, although traditional search engines are slightly more popular with this group, the survey found.