Millennial Travel - Statistics and Trends [2022]

200,000 million global tourists are millennials, with US$180 billion spent yearly on travel by only this particular group. 

Impressive, isn't it?

Are you hungry for more information on the generation that has revolutionized the way we travel? If yes, you're in the right place!

Keep on reading and find out what is the role of new technologies in the life of traveling millennials, how their traveling style differs from other generations'  representatives, and also check how much they spend on creating their travel memories.

At Evisa Express, we've compiled all the latest statistics and trends in one article.

Don't stop scrolling, then!

Millennials - Who They Really Are?

Who of us has never heard the term 'Millennials' (also referred to as the 'Y generation')?! This name is ubiquitous, whether on TV, radio, in newspapers, in various research studies, or even during casual conversations with your next-door neighbor.

But the question remains who really belongs to the millennial generation?  

The term derives from the English word 'millennium' and determines the people who were born at the turn of the 20th century. 

The case for millennials, however, is not so clear-cut since there are different opinions on how to classify them on the timeline, which may cause a bit of a stir. 

According to Newsweek magazine, the millennial generation includes people born between 1977 and 1994. Therefore, those who start the millennial generation could be the (young) parents of the ones who close the group!

On the other hand, the New York Times Magazine put the members of the Millennial generation between 1978-1990 or 1978-1998 (depending on the article). Yet another world-class magazine, the Time, placed them between 1980-2000. As many people, as many opinions. But who is right and who is more right, in that case?

To make it less complicated, let's then agree on the following classification, which assumes that millennials are people born between 1981 and 1996. 

Top Millennial Statistics to Know

• Millennials are currently the biggest adult group worldwide, with approximately 7.7 bn representatives, which equals 31,5% of the global population
• 1.1 bn of millennials live in Asia (it equals 24% Asian population)
• Millennials are the most educated and ever-more influential of all generation groups
• 2/3 of the Chinese passport holders are millennials
• The millennial per capita spending in the U.S. is expected to increase by over 10% by 2025

As we may see on the chart below, the U.S. millennial generation surpassed the Baby Boomers, and they tend to account for the largest population group in the oncoming years too.

Millennial Travel Trends - Statistics

Millennial Travel Trends: Using New Technologies

• 97% of millennial travelers share travel experiences on social media, with 2 in 3 posting once a day
• 66% of millennials book their trip using a smartphone, while 74% use their smartphones to research
• 92% of millennials look for the best deal when choosing their travel options

Millennial Travel Trends: Comparison with Other Age Groups

• Unlike Baby Boomers, 43% of whom plan on traveling both internationally and domestically, most millennials prefer to travel in-country 
• 79% of all US millennial travel is domestic, with only 33% planning international travel in the next two years
• As opposed to boomers, 69% of millennials want to take weekend trips (13% of boomers)
• Millennials have planned 2.6 trips/year for 2020, which is more than any other generation
• 55% of millennials desire to increase the volume of their trips in the coming years
• On average, millennials in the US spend 35 days a year traveling, which is much more than other age groups - Gen X - 26 days, Boomers - 27 days, and Gen Z - 29 days
• Millennials took 5.6 trips per year, compared with 4.4 (Gen-Z), 4.0 (Gen x), and 3.5 (Boomers)
• 55% of millennials confirm spending more time on planning vacations than their retirement
• 69% of millennial travelers take more trips over weekends, compared to different generations (13%)

How Much Millennials Spend on Travel

• Millennials estimate they will spend about $6,800 for vacations (for comparison - Gen Xers - $5,400)
• Millennials spent $200 billion on travel in 2018, and 33% plan a spending budget of $5000+ on their vacations
• Nearly 75% of millennials claim they would prefer to stop buying physical products to have more money on traveling spending

Taking into consideration three top millennial travel trends (see the infographic above), we can come to a conclusion that:

• New technologies and social media place an important role in the life of the majority of the millennial travelers
• For over half of the millennial generation planning a trip is more important than making retirement plans
• 3/4 of millennials would be prone to reduce their spending only to save some money on traveling

Travel Preferences of the Millennial Generation

With a YOLO attitude to travel and life, one would probably say that millennials are ready to explore the world off the beaten track. They are also perceived as the ones who are not afraid of trying alternative accommodation options and are big enthusiasts of quite a new concept of digital tourism. 

This stereotype can be easily refuted by some statistics, including:

• 53% of U.S. millennial travelers book their trips with an OTA
• 70% of millennials in the U.S. choose hotel accommodation for their vacation, while 83% prefer all-inclusive resorts
• 81% of U.S. millennials prefer in-country vacations, while their preferred vacation types include visiting family, relaxing, romantic gateways, and family play
• 89% of the said group confirm they like to stay active and outdoors when traveling
• 83% of U.S. millennials confirm the important role of crossing off their travel bucket list

6 Destinations Millennials Travel to More and More Willingly

Below, there are the top 6 destinations that have been gaining increased popularity among US millennial travelers:

• Bora Bora (+24%)
• Saint Martin (+21%)
• Aspen, Colorado (+18%)
• Denpasar, Indonesia (+16%)
• Kahului, Hawaii (+16%)
• Dublin, Ireland (+13%)

Bora Bora

Its turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and lush rainforests make it a dream destination for travelers of all ages. But it's especially popular with millennials. 

In fact, it's been named one of the top travel destinations for millennials, with an increased popularity of 24% among this particular age group. 

What makes Bora Bora so appealing to millennials? Perhaps it's the Instagram-worthy scenery. Or the abundance of activities, from snorkeling and scuba diving to hiking and biking. 

Saint Martin

Millennials are especially drawn to Saint Martin's social media-friendly vibe - an increase of 21%. From the stunning beaches to the quaint streets of Philipsburg, there's no shortage of backdrop options. 

And with its laid-back vibe and friendly locals, Saint Martin is the perfect place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. 

The island is also home to some of the best restaurants in the Caribbean, making it the perfect place to indulge in some gourmet meals.

With its abundance of photo ops and Instagrammable moments, Saint Martin is sure to please any millennial traveler.

Aspen, Colorado

Aspen, Colorado, is becoming yet another travel destination gaining popularity among millennials, with an impressive 18% recent increase in visitors. 

Millennials are known for their love of adventure, and Aspen provides the perfect playground for them to explore and embrace the great outdoors.

The picturesque setting of this alpine town promises once-in-a-lifetime experiences that are worth more than any material possessions. 

Aspen provides an unparalleled way for millennials to explore, disconnect and rediscover themselves in the processes - providing them with some unforgettable memories to last a lifetime!

Denpasar, Indonesia

A recent survey has also revealed that there has been a steady 16% increase in interest in this incredible city, which is Denspar, in Indonesia, and there are plenty of reasons why. 

Denpasar has a thriving culture and lifestyle that is perfect for young adults seeking exploration with a vibrant atmosphere.

Whether beach hopping through Bali or exploring the bustling city life of Jakarta, this top millennial destination has managed to capture their hearts while opening up a world filled with endless possibilities.

Kahului, Hawaii

The island's natural beauty, laid-back atmosphere, and a plethora of activities make it a perfect place to relax and unwind. 

And with the recent increase in interest in the destination (+16%), it's clear that more and more millennials are looking to Kahului as their next vacation spot. 

In addition to its natural attractions, Kahului is also home to a lively culinary scene, with top-rated restaurants serving fresh seafood and local specialties. 

And with direct flights from major US cities, Kahului is easy to reach and makes a great gateway to the Hawaiian Islands.

Dublin, Ireland

Dublin, Ireland, has rapidly become one of the top travel destinations for millennials.

With its excitingly vibrant nightlife and eclectic culture, it's easy to see why its popularity is soaring - last year saw a 13% increase in interest from these young explorers!

Capitalizing on its burgeoning popularity, Dublin has worked hard to refine its offering and really focus on creating experiences tailored to this new wave of travelers to spark their curiosity and let their sense of adventure soar. 

Conclusion

So, while some people may think that millennials are always glued to their phones with their noses buried in social media, the truth is that this generation loves adventure. 

They are always on the lookout for new experiences, which is why travel is so important to them, whether domestically or internationally.

And if there's one thing we can learn from them, it's that life is too short not to go explore everything this world has to offer!

Sources

Catalyst
Expedia
Statista
World Economic Forum
 

Katarzyna Żyła

2022-12-22

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