A recent survey indicates that the desires of Gen Z and Gen Alpha increasingly shape (familial) travel preferences in India. An impressive 93% of young travellers play a pivotal role in orchestrating family vacations. According to the "Small Voices, Big Choices: Hilton 2025 Trends Report," this phenomenon signifies a remarkable shift within the travel industry.

Younger generations are, nonetheless, taking the initiative in shaping the future of travel experiences. Generation Alpha (which consists of individuals aged 14 and younger) represents 25% of India's population. In contrast, Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, accounts for approximately 30%.

According to a recent survey, Indian parents are profoundly influenced by their children's preferences when choosing vacation destinations; 76% of Indian parents (in comparison to 70% globally) consider their children's interests when devising travel plans.

Gen Z and Gen Alpha
Image Source: Dream Big, Travel Far

Although both Gen Z and Gen Alpha play an active role in selecting destinations and activities, parents still oversee various logistical elements of trips. This includes 44% related to transportation, 40% for meals, 32% concerning lodging, 28% for budgeting and 26% regarding trip duration.

Young travelers in India are eager to explore new locations; a recent survey reveals that 94% travel at least once annually. Their capacity to uncover new places brings them immense joy. On average, these adventurous youths embark on two to three journeys each year and an astonishing 90% express a desire to continue their travels in the upcoming year.

Furthermore, the survey stresses that these younger generations are highly enthusiastic about both domestic and foreign travel alternatives. Although they appresciate India's various landscapes and rich cultural legacy, they also have a great desire to travel the world, particularly outside of Asia. Their top travel destinations include India (34%), Singapore (28%), the United States (22%), Australia, and the United Kingdom (17%).

However, millennials (Gen Y) prefer more familiar Asian vacation spots, such as Japan (29%), India (28%), Singapore (25%), the Maldives (21%), and Malaysia (17%), because the allure of the familiar typically surpasses the excitement of the unknown. This dynamic highlights the limitations of modern travel options that offer both comfort and excitement.

This trend demonstrates a significant difference in travel intentions across generations (1), showing the diverse priorities and experiences that shape their journeys. According to the report, Generation Alpha and Generation Z are revolutionizing the tourism business by offering experiences that are not just significant, but also immersive and culturally relevant.

Alexandra Jaritz, senior vice president of brand management at Hilton Asia Pacific, observed that these younger generations are changing not only the destinations they choose to visit but also how they interact with and interpret the world around them. These findings come from two surveys: one conducted by Ipsos in 13 nations from June 5 to June 26, 2024, and another by OnePoll in the Asia-Pacific region from August 12 to August 26, 2024.

Ipsos survey comprised 13,001 adults from 13 nations, whereas the OnePoll survey included 8,000 Gen Z and Millennial parents from Australia, China, India, Japan and Singapore. However, these findings hold significance because they illustrate a shift in travel preferences that could influence the industry's future trajectory.

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