The travel industry is undergoing a transformation like never before, and at the forefront of this change are the dynamic preferences of Gen Z travellers. Born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, Gen Z has ushered in a new era of travel, with unique desires and values that are reshaping the way hotels operate and market their services.
In this article, we’ll take you on a journey through seven exciting Gen Z travel trends and show you how to adapt your marketing and revenue strategies to capitalize on these trends.
Workcations: Where Work Meets Adventure
Gen Z has redefined the travel landscape with the rise of “workcations.” These travellers crave a perfect blend of productivity and adventure, making midseason travel the new norm. As a hotelier, consider creating dedicated workspaces, providing high-speed internet, and offering ergonomic furniture to cater to this growing trend. Encourage workcation travellers to extend their stay and enjoy leisure activities while maintaining their professional commitments.
Tip: Create special workcation packages, promote your co-working spaces, and emphasize the ease of combining work and leisure in your marketing materials.
Pop-Culture Tourism: A Journey into Fictional Worlds
Fandom tourism, or “set-jetting,” has taken the travel world by storm. Gen Z travellers are jetting off to destinations featured in their favourite movies, TV shows, and books. As a hotelier, you can seize this opportunity by organizing guided tours to film locations, hosting pop-culture events, and collaborating with influencers who cater to specific fandoms.
Tip: Partner with pop-culture influencers, create themed experiences, and design social media-worthy spaces to attract pop-culture enthusiasts.
Instagrammability: The Power of Visual Storytelling
Gen Z travellers are all about Instagram-worthy experiences. They seek out destinations and accommodations that are visually stunning and shareable on social media. To cater to this trend, ensure your hotel has photogenic spots, unique architectural features, and scenic viewpoints. Offer guided tours to the most Instagrammable spots in your area to help guests capture the perfect shot.
Tip: Showcase your Instagrammable features in your marketing campaigns and encourage guests to share their experiences with a branded hashtag.
Sustainability and Environmental Awareness: Green is the New Luxury
Gen Z travellers are passionate about sustainability and are willing to pay more for eco-friendly options. Eliminate single-use plastics, support local conservation projects, and obtain green certifications to attract environmentally conscious guests. Make sure to communicate your sustainable efforts through your website and social media channels.
Tip: Embrace eco-friendly practices, engage with local environmental initiatives, and proudly display your sustainability efforts on all platforms.
Travel Therapy: Nurturing Mind and Body
Travel therapy is all about improving mental and physical well-being through travel. Collaborate with wellness experts to offer workshops, outdoor activities, and nature-centric accommodations. Provide your guests with opportunities to de-stress and rejuvenate while exploring your destination.
Tip: Develop wellness-focused packages, promote outdoor activities, and highlight the restorative benefits of your accommodations.
Solo Travel: Embracing Independence
Solo travel is soaring in popularity among Gen Z, offering unique and individualized experiences. Cater to solo travellers by providing secure and private accommodations, reduced single occupancy rates, and bundled experiences that offer value for money.
Tip: Highlight the advantages of solo travel, create enticing packages for solo adventurers, and emphasize security and privacy.
The Gen Z travel revolution is here, and it’s time for hoteliers to embrace these trends and adapt their marketing and revenue strategies. By catering to workcations, pop-culture tourism, Instagrammability, sustainability, travel therapy, and solo travel, you can tap into the enormous potential of this influential generation.
So, get ready to welcome Gen Z travellers with open arms and create unforgettable experiences that resonate with their desires and values. Your hotel’s future success depends on it!