Let’s talk about the babies of the generation squad – Gen Z. Turns out, they’re not waiting for high-paying jobs or a hefty savings account to satisfy their travel bug. Nope, these young’uns are finding ways to fit travel into their budgets now, according to Morning Consult’s report on Gen Z travel trends. Only 11% of Gen Z frequent flyers come from households earning over $100,000. Most (61%) say they earn less than $50,000 per year, the data shows. But don’t be fooled; Gen Zs are still on the lookout for those sweet, sweet deals. In a survey of 4,000 full-time students aged 18 to 25, some 76% named financial costs as their top travel concern. But hey, who wouldn’t be worried about money when they’re in the same boat as Rihanna’s song “Work” – work, work, work, work, work.

Speaking of money, Gen Zs know how to stretch a dollar like nobody’s business. Nearly two in three Gen Zs look for the cheapest options when traveling, and nearly half (46%) said they expect to get financial help from their parents. Honestly, what says “I love you” more than funding travel escapades? They’re also willing to cut other spending to pay for travel, according to a survey published in March by the Gen Z media company Student Beans. In the survey, 83% of young adults said they plan to cut back on non-essential spending. Who needs new clothes or the latest tech when you can catch flights and not feelings, right? From 2021 to 2022, Gen Zs’ average spending per purchase decreased for fashion (7%), tech (6%), and food (12%). But their travel purchases? Those bad boys surged 60%. With a mindset like that, it’s safe to say that millennials ain’t the only generation obsessed with wanderlust.

So, why do Gen Zs travel? According to Morning Consult’s survey, the top three motivators for American Gen Z travelers are to relax, escape or get away, and spend time with friends and family. Basic, but classic. However, Gen Zs are also motivated to travel for adventure, mental health and cultural experiences more than older generations. They’re like, “I don’t need therapy, I need a plane ticket.” More than any other age group, Gen Zs are also planning to travel longer, to take more trips abroad and are the least interested in visiting places they’ve already been to. They’re not about that “been there, done that” mentality. With that kind of attitude, you best believe they’re taking their travel goals seriously.

Gen Zs aren’t just about traveling for the ‘gram, though. They want their travel experiences to be meaningful. In a survey of 4,000 full-time students by the travel tech company StudentUniverse, some 68% of respondents aged 18 to 25 said they were interested in experiencing new cultures. You can’t exactly be cultured just by watching an Anthony Bourdain episode (RIP). Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards. Social issues matter to them, with some 82% indicating a country’s approach to issues like LGBTQ+ rights would affect their decision to visit, according to StudentUniverse. They don’t just care about themselves; they care about others, too. And let’s not forget, Gen Zs are also willing to pay more for what they want. According to Hopper’s “2023 Travel Trends Report,” they’ll shell out more for pools and pet-friendly accommodations. Keep this in mind, fellow hotel owners. And a report from the luxury travel agency Virtuoso states that 56% of Gen Zs will pay more for travel companies with environmentally friendly philosophies and practices. Looks like Gen Zs care about the planet even more than Captain Planet himself.

Finally, let’s discuss the master plan. How do Gen Zs plan their travel? They likely make use of the endless resources the internet provides. But let’s be real, they could just as easily use TikTok. I mean, who wouldn’t want to plan their trip while learning a new dance? When it comes to travel, Gen Zs have proven to be innovative, budget-conscious, and socially responsible.

So, if you’re a fellow passenger on the “work hard, travel harder” train, don’t be surprised if the next person to impress you with a budget travel hack has a TikTok handle ending in “O2Luv2Travel.” It’s just a Gen Z doing their thing.

Serious News: cnbc