Yahoo Lifestyle Millennials and Gen Z Are Traveling With Both Passion and Practicality
In American Express’ latest “2025 Global Travel Trends Report,” the company has unveiled its four major travel trends — focusing on the motivations behind why consumers are traveling and how it will shape the future. The survey polled more than 2,000 American adults, more than 1,000 Australian adults, more than 1,000 Canadian adults, more than 1,000 Japanese adults, more than 1,000 Mexico adults and more than 1,000 Indian adults who have more than $50,000 in income or equivalent and travel at least once a year.
Passion and practicality are the driving forces of travel planning — 77 percent of all global respondents reported that they plan on going on the same number or more international trips as compared to last year. With 70 percent of Millennials and Gen Z polled stating they plan trips that focus on the journey as much as the destination, luxury trains and cruises have become a major travel method.
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Amex defines the top 2025 consumer trends as: “Memorable Mementos,” “Fam Adventures,” “Benefit Aficionados” and “Tap In, Take Off.”
“Memorable Mementos” sees consumers looking for ways to remember their trip after they’ve come home by seeking out unique keepsakes. Notably, 82 percent of Millennials and Gen Z polled said they look for one-of-a-kind goods “to remind them of their trips,” which they use as a reminder of their trips and stories to share with friends and families.
Supporting local businesses is important for a majority of global respondents surveyed (73 percent). Major purchase categories include designer goods (58 percent), beauty products (46 percent) and houseware and decor (43 percent).
“Fam Adventures” distinguishes Millennial and Gen Z parents allowing their children to take the initiative with planning and bringing the family along. The report’s authors found that multigenerational vacations become more popular over the years.
Fifty-eight percent of Millennial and Gen Z parents are planning to travel with their extended family on a vacation in 2025 in comparison to 31 percent of Gen X and Boomers. One major factor cited by Millennials and Gen Z for bringing family along is spending “quality time” (89 percent). And moreover, a majority of global respondents polled said that they prefer destinations that are geared toward families and have activities for every age.
When it comes to “Benefit Aficionados,” savviness amongst travelers has become a major part of the booking trip experience. Sixty-one percent of Millennials and Gen Z surveyed use their credit card to maximize travel rewards, as compared to 36 percent of Gen X and Boomers.
Two-thirds of global respondents have said that they get the best value for their international trips by combining credit card rewards with other loyalty program perks. More than half (58 percent) of global respondents also said that they are most likely to use benefits from multiple loyalty programs to receive upgrades and perks they wouldn’t have normally splurged on. Forty-five percent of people polled reported that they choose their trip’s destination based on where they can best use their credit card points.
With travelers relying on new tech, they “Tap In, Take Off” to make their trip more personalized and as effortless as possible. With travel tech being more accessible than ever, travelers are turning to various apps and innovations for bookings, making reservations in advance, language translators and more. Currently, 80 percent of Millennials and Gen Z are using travel planning apps or social media to plan out their perfect vacation in a convenient way.
Notably, 83 percent of Gen Z and Millennials said that at least one aspect of generative artificial technology is useful for booking. Gen Z and Millennials have noted that the best usage of generative AI is activity recommendations (40 percent), budget/expense management (36 percent), translation assistance (33 percent) and personalized trip recommendations (33 percent).
“Travelers, especially Millennials and Gen Z are motivated to book thoughful, meaningful trips this year,” said Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel. “The report shows that people feel passionately about their vacations. We understand what travelers are looking for and as demand continues, we can use our expertise to create dream itineraries.”
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