Gen Z Prefer Solo Travel And Off-Season Trips: Report

Generation Z loves to travel. Nearly half of young and independent Indians crave a trip abroad while another report mentioned that travel spending in India is projected to grow by approximately 9 per cent annually till 2030 due to their contributions. What distinguishes them from other generations is their focus on prioritising cultural, immersive and unique experiences in their chosen destination.

Now, a Booking.com survey has found that Indian Gen Z-ers are quite open to solo travel, with nearly 65 per cent having travelled on their own in the last six months. Eighty-five per cent plan to travel solo in the next year, 69 per cent are likely to travel with family members while 61 per cent will travel with their parents this year. If you’re one of those considering the best destinations for solo travel then look no further than cities like Dubai, San Francisco and Singapore.

For travel inspiration, Gen Z-ers rely on family and friends as trusted advisors as well as glean inspiration from their social media pages. They also prioritise value for money (51 per cent) by travelling outside the peak season (71 per cent) and consider unique once-in-a-lifetime experiences (72 per cent), such as skydiving and hot air ballooning, during their trip. They also enjoy travelling much closer to home, as seen in the 62 per cent of respondents who said they were likely to make a short domestic trip of one to four nights in India this year.

As the most online generation yet, it comes as no surprise that Indian Gen Z-ers are embracing technology at every step of organising their journey, whether it’s trusting artificial intelligence (AI) to plan their itinerary (73 per cent), looking for tech amenities and services in an accommodation during their stay (76 per cent), or using technology as a means to keep vacation memories alive after their trip (35 per cent). They are also conscious about not contributing to over-tourism, with 68 per cent trusting AI to recommend places that are less “touristy” and off the beaten track.

With regard to accommodation, it can be argued Indian Gen Z-ers are creatures of habit. Nearly 70 per cent admitted to going back to an accommodation that they enjoyed while 66 per cent looked to stay at reliable hotels. This generation also prefers seamless and convenient travel booking experiences that allow for making multiple bookings simultaneously. Thirty-seven per cent of Indian Gen Z-ers are likely to book their attractions and activities at the same time as their accommodation while 63 per cent are likely to book their flights before booking their accommodation. When it comes to ticketed events though, 39 per cent of Gen Z are most likely to book them before booking accommodation.

Santosh Kumar, the country manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia at Booking.com said, "With 65 per cent of India’s population under the age of 35 years, it is crucial to understand the travel sentiment of the Gen Z travellers as they redefine the way we experience the world. Their eagerness for unique and immersive experiences and tech prowess while prioritising value for money is driving the demand for innovative technology-based travel solutions and experiential travel. [W]e are committed to making it easier for all travellers, including Gen Z, to explore the world in the palm of their hand by providing flights, rental cars, attractions and, of course, unique places to stay, all on one platform.”

The survey sampled 32,300 respondents from 32 countries, out of which 1,800 people participated from India alone. It was held in January and February 2024. Only those born between 1995-2010 were considered for the survey.

(With inputs from multiple reports)