Millennials and Gen Z Redefine Travel in 2025: New Spontaneous Trends Shape Tourism Around the World

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Millennials and Gen Z Redefine Travel in 2025: New Spontaneous Trends Shape Tourism Around the World
As 2024 draws to a close, it’s clear that the world of travel has undergone a number of changes, with trends coming and going throughout the year. Looking ahead, Contiki (a global travel company specializing in travel for young adults ages 18-35) released its annual Voice of a Generation report , surveying more than 1,000 Americans ages 18-35 to understand the behaviors and motivations that will shape travel in 2025. The study reveals that millennials and Gen Z are undoubtedly the “travel-minded generations,” willing to make sacrifices to travel more.

“These generations are creative and determined when it comes to financing list of saudi arabia cell phone numbers their trips. More than half of young people have already moved back in with their parents or would be willing to do so to save money and invest in their vacations,” the report said.

Looking ahead to 2025, the study highlights some of the key trends that will shape tourism in the coming year.

Holidays come first
The study found that while careers are still a priority for young Americans — with 54 percent of them trying to balance work and travel — more and more professionals are putting travel ahead of their careers.

“A third of young professionals (33%) said travel is more important than career advancement, and 56% said they would trade a pay raise for more paid time off to travel,” the report revealed.

Additionally, lack of free time (PTO) was identified as the second biggest obstacle for this generation when planning their trips. Coincidentally, the biggest challenge they face is “not having enough money to travel.”

“These data show that 18-35 year-olds are increasingly focused on making the most of their holidays, with more than half saying they prefer to completely disconnect from work while travelling, rather than opting for a work-life balance,” the company said. They also highlighted that this age group has been more willing to venture off the beaten track, with more than 80% saying they prefer less conventional alternatives, such as the Philippines over the Maldives or Albania over Croatia.

Sober tourism
Another important finding from the report is the rise of sober tourism, with 83% of millennials and Generation Z showing interest in alcohol-free travel experiences.

“The days of the party-obsessed young traveler are over. Gen Z and millennials want to live their adventures with a clear mind,” the study said.

This trend is in line with the top reasons for travel in 2025: immersion in local culture (34%); learning something new and enriching (24%); rest and rejuvenation (23%); and seeking exciting adventures (18%).

Traveling with new friends
Contiki also noted that when it comes to travel companions, young people are increasingly willing to leave their friends behind and make new friends while traveling.

“This generation is very open to making new connections while traveling. 58% of respondents said they would rather simply book a trip and meet new people along the way, rather than traveling with their old friends,” the company explained.

Travel with purpose
Finally, the report highlighted the growing interest in sustainable travel, a trend that is set to continue to grow, as 90% of travelers aged 18 to 35 say sustainability is important to them while traveling.

These young people are particularly concerned about leaving a positive impact on the destinations they visit, with 42% highlighting the importance of supporting local communities and 38% saying that helping to preserve wildlife is a priority. In comparison, issues related to carbon emissions appeared to be a less important issue (19%).

“This data shows the growing interest in travel experiences that promote a direct and positive impact on the environment and local communities, rather than focusing only on indirect actions such as carbon offset programs,” said Contiki.

With this, it is clear that tourism in 2025 will be increasingly aligned with values ​​of sustainability, authenticity and meaningful experiences.

The Brazilian tourism market is clearly aligned with global trends observed among millennials and Generation Z. These young people are redefining tourism in Brazil, prioritizing authentic, sustainable experiences with a strong cultural immersion component. As this demand grows, the Brazilian tourism sector is adapting, offering more flexible, diverse options that are aligned with the values ​​of this new generation. The trend is that, in the coming years, Brazil will continue to stand out as a destination for travelers seeking authenticity, purpose and positive impact, reflecting a transformation in travel preferences that is happening around the world.