Tourism : Millennials vs Gen Z: different generations with different travel habits?

Travel preferences can reveal a lot about a person, but they can also offer clues about which generation someone belongs to. Kiwi.com, a leading travel-tech company, recently conducted a survey exploring how Romanians approach traveling this year and the results highlight a few generational contrasts.   Starting with travel motivations, both Millennials and Gen Z chose relaxation as the primary reason for their trips. However, it appears slightly more important for Millennials, with 81.7% prioritizing de-stressing, compared to 71.4% of Gen Z. Exploring new destinations and experiencing different cultures comes next on the list for both groups, with 55.2% of Millennials and 52% of Gen Z selecting this option.   Looking at travel frequency in 2025, the majority of both generations expect to take at least one trip within Europe: 26% of Millennials and 28.6% of Gen Z respondents said they’re planning a single European getaway this year. That said, Gen Z seems more inclined to travel more frequently and further away – 20.7% plan to go on 2–3 trips, including journeys beyond Europe, while only 15.8% of Millennials plan to do the same.   Destination choice in 2025 will be heavily influenced by cost for both groups. Flight prices and accommodation expenses top their considerations. Interestingly, 25% of Millennials take into account family-friendly activities when choosing a destination, while only 5% of Gen Z find that relevant. Meanwhile, Gen Z shows slightly more interest in nightlife, festivals, and sports activities, with around 10% prioritizing these compared to 6% of Millennials.   Inflation and rising prices are a concern across both generations. Booking flights early is a popular tactic to save money – 49% of Gen Z and 53.3% of Millennials say they prefer to plan in advance nowadays. Still, when asked whether inflation will change their travel behavior in 2025, 26.2% of Gen Z said it won’t – they intend to travel and enjoy themselves regardless, while only 19% of Millennials felt the same way.   When it comes to stress during travel, more Millennials (27%) worry about being stranded in airports due to canceled flights, compared to 21.6% of Gen Z. Yet both groups agree that finding affordable flights can be overwhelming.   Asked about handling unexpected changes while traveling, Gen Z appears to be more proactive about having a Plan B in place: 35.2% say they make sure to have backup flights or alternative transportation options in mind, compared to just 23.7% of Millennials. On the other hand, Millennials tend to be more meticulous about monitoring their travel plans, with 48% saying they double-check all the details and keep a close eye on emails for updates about departure times or gate changes, whereas only 41% of Gen Z take the same approach.   Kiwi.com helps ease this travel related stress through its Kiwi.com Guarantee, which includes instant credit for alternative flights in case of disruptions, automatic check-in, and in-app access to boarding passes, making hassle-free travel an achievable reality.   Emerging travel trends for 2025 also show generational differences. “Coolcationing”, choosing cooler destinations to escape the summer heat, appeals to 26% of Gen Z, while only 19% of Millennials are drawn to it. “Nocturnism,” which involves nighttime adventures like stargazing or viewing the northern lights, is favored by 30.4% of Gen Z and just 21.5% of Millennials.   Even packing habits differ: Gen Z seems more efficient, with only 31.6% admitting to overpacking clothes they never wear, compared to 42% of Millennials who do the same.   While both generations share a love of travel, the way they experience it reflects their unique values and lifestyles. From planning styles to destination choices and emerging trends, Gen Z tends to be more spontaneous and experience-driven, while Millennials appear more family-focused and budget-conscious. Kiwi.com continues to support travelers of all kinds with flexible, affordable options tailored to every type of journey.