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Millennials are people born between 1981 and 1996, and are also known as Generation Y. The term was first used in the 1991 book “Generations” by William Strauss and Neil Howe, who named the generation after it being the first to come of age in the new millennium.
In 2024 Millennials are all adults now.
What are their travel habits? Do Millennials love to travel and can they afford multiple vacations per year?
Where do they love to travel the most?
Find out in my updated Millennials travel habits statistics, facts and trends guide for 2024.
You can use this jump link to quickly jump to the KEY STATS section.
Also, all the references and resources I used in crafting my guide are listed at the bottom of the page.
Jump here: Key Millennials Travel Habits Statistics, Facts and Trends for this Year| Detailed Millennials Travel Habits Statistics, Facts and Trends for this Year
Table of Contents
Key Millennials Travel Habits Statistics, Facts and Trends for this Year
Key Millennials Travel Habits Statistics, Facts and Trends for 2024
- 75% of millennials prefer travel experiences over material possessions. The average millennial takes 3-4 leisure trips per year. 52% of millennials prefer “off the beaten path” destinations over tourist hotspots. (Source)
- 33% of millennials spend over $5,000 annually on travel. 59% of Millennials spend <$4000 yearly on vacations. And just 8% of Millennials spend >$20 000 per year on vacations. (Source)
- 41% of millennials travel internationally at least once per year. (Source)
- Millennials spend an average of 35 days per year traveling and vacationing. (Source)
- 86% of millennials choose their travel destinations based on Instagram/social media influence. 97% of millennials share their travel experiences on social media (mostly Instagram as a premier visual platform) while traveling. (Source)
- 45% of millennials choose destinations based on food and culinary experiences alone. 72% of millennials value authentic local experiences (including local cuisine) over luxury amenities. (Source)
- 69% of millennials consider WiFi a crucial amenity when booking accommodations and they refuse to stay at places that don’t provide strong internet connections. (Source)
- 74% of millennials plan their trips using their smartphones. 85% of millennials check multiple sites for the best travel deals. 46% of millennials book travel through online travel agencies. (Source)
- 63% of millennials prefer short, frequent trips over longer, less frequent ones. Except in cases where a Millennial plans only one holiday for the year. Then that vacation should last for as long as possible. (Source)
- 55% of millennials extend business trips for leisure (also called “bleisure travel”). (Source)
- 82% of millennials prefer traveling with friends or lovers over solo travel. (Source)
- 87% of millennials use travel apps during their trips and 66% of millennials book accommodations through sharing economy platforms like Airbnb. (Source)
- 58% of millennials prioritize sustainability in their travel choices. This means they avoid traveling by plane whenever they can to decrease their carbon footprint. Traveling by train is the favorite choice of most environment-friendly Millennials. (Source)
- 77% of millennials prefer unique, boutique hotels over chain hotels and 52% of millennials save specifically for travel-related expenses (including cheaper and more authentic lodging). (Source)
- 73% of millennials prefer urban destinations over beach vacations. 44% of millennials travel for major music festivals or events. (Source)
- 84% of millennials rely on online reviews before booking. 61% of millennials book trips less than 6 months in advance. 68% of millennials value flexible booking policies. (Source)
- 88% of millennials consider travel a worthwhile investment in themselves. 91% of millennials say travel is an important part of their personal growth. (Source)
- 69% of millennials regret not traveling more during the COVID-19 pandemic. 79% of millennials are interested in wellness/health-focused travel and this interest sharply grew after the pandemic was over. (Source)
Detailed Millennials Travel Habits Statistics, Facts and Trends for this Year
Do Millennials Love to Travel for Leisure?
Millennials love traveling for leisure.
75% of millennials prefer travel experiences over material possessions. The average millennial takes 3-4 leisure trips per year. 52% of millennials prefer “off the beaten path” destinations over tourist hotspots.
Note: Not only do Millennials love to travel, but 55% of them regularly extend business trips for leisure (also called “bleisure travel”).
Does Social Media Influence Where Millennials Go on Vacations?
Social media heavily influences where Millennials go on vacations.
86% of millennials choose their travel destinations based on Instagram/social media influence. And nearly 100% of them, 97% to be exact, of millennials share their travel experiences on social media (mostly Instagram as a premier visual platform) while traveling and when they get home.
How Much Money Do Millennials on Average Spend on Travel and Vacations?
33% of millennials spend over $5,000 annually on travel. 59% of Millennials spend <$4000 yearly on vacations. And just 8% of Millennials spend >$20 000 per year on vacations.
How Do Millennials Make Their Travel Plans?
74% of millennials plan their trips using their smartphones. 85% of them check multiple sites for the best travel deals.
46% of millennials book travel through online travel agencies, and 87% of them use travel apps during their trips, with the most widely used being Airbnb.
What is More Important to Millennials: Luxury Accommodations or Authentic Local Experiences?
Millennials are mature travelers and they’re not easily swayed by vain and empty materialistic luxury. Instead, they quickly fall in love with authentic touristic experiences.
45% of millennials choose destinations based on food and culinary experiences alone. 72% of millennials value authentic local experiences (including local cuisine) over luxury amenities. 77% of millennials prefer unique, boutique hotels over chain hotels.
It’s another way for them to be economic on their travels but also better take in the local atmosphere.
Do Millennials Love to Travel Solo or in Groups?
Most Millennials prefer to travel in group and prefer not traveling solo.
A recent survey (which I link in the footer of the page) showed that 82% of millennials prefer traveling with friends or lovers over solo travel.
How Important is Environmental Sustainability in Your Travel Decisions?
58% of millennials prioritize sustainability in their travel choices. This means they avoid traveling by plane whenever they can to decrease their carbon footprint. Traveling by train is the favorite choice of most environment-friendly Millennials.
What’s the One Thing Millennials Can’t Do Without When Traveling?
Wifi connection is the one thing most millennials can’t do without on their travels.
69% of millennials consider WiFi a crucial amenity when booking accommodations and they refuse to stay at places that don’t provide strong internet connections (many Millennials are digital nomads which means they make the bulk of their money online).
Do You Prefer Taking Several Short Trips or Fewer Longer Vacations?
63% of millennials prefer short, frequent trips over longer, less frequent ones. Except in cases where a Millennial plans only one holiday for the year.
Then that vacation should last for as long as possible.
Do Millennials Prefer City Exploration or Beach Relaxation?
73% of millennials prefer urban destinations over beach vacations. 44% of millennials travel for major music festivals or events. of millennials travel for major music festivals or events.
What is a Typical Millennial’s View Of Traveling?
88% of millennials consider travel a worthwhile investment in themselves. 91% of millennials say travel is an important part of their personal growth and development.
How Did COVID Pandemic Affect the Traveling Patterns of Millennials?
69% of millennials regret not traveling more during the COVID-19 pandemic. 79% of millennials are interested in wellness/health-focused travel and the interest in this way of traveling sharply grew after the pandemic was over.
Suddenly everyone was super health-conscious and it reflected even in common travel habits.
Millennials Travels Statistics, Facts and Trends Guide for 2024 (FAQ)
Why Do Millennials Love Airbnb?
Millennials love Airbnb because it offers a wide range of unique properties and experiences, such as treehouses, windmills, and apartments.
Airbnb is also far more comfortable than hotels, and often offer full kitchens and larger living spaces.
Airbnb also offers local travel experiences that millennials crave.
Do Millennials love to Travel by Planes?
Millennials don’t love to travel by planes because a typical Millennial is worried about the environment and wishes to lower their carbo footprint as much as possible.
Which Countries are Millennials Traveling to the Most?
The countries Millennials travel the most are:
- France;
- Spain;
- Italy;
- Japan;
- Australia;
- India;
- Mexico;
- etc…
What are the Characteristics of Millennials Traveling?
Here are some of the characteristics of Millennials who travel:
- Open-minded. Millennials are open to new experiences and activities. They are also more likely to travel independently than previous generations.
- Experience-focused. Millennials prefer to spend their money on experiences rather than material goods. They are more likely to prioritize an experience over a low-cost option.
- Tech-savvy. Millennials are tech-savvy and use their smartphones for research, booking, and more.
- Authenticity. Millennials value authenticity and seek unique experiences that reflect local culture and community values.
- Personalization. Millennials value personalized experiences and are more likely to be attracted to hotels that offer personalized perks and packages.
- Wellness. Millennials prioritize wellness and physical health, and may stay in hotels with spas and wellness services.
- Environmental impact. Millennials are more likely to want to go on a vacation that has a minimal impact on the environment.
- Social media. Millennials rely heavily on social media and user-generated content for decision-making and influence. They also use social media to gather information about the traditions and local cuisines of their destination.
What are Millennials Travel Habits in America? Where Do They Travel Within the US?
Millennials travel to many places within the United States.
The popular states for Millennial travel are New York, Florida, and California.
The most popular cities for Millennial travel are Las Vegas and Chicago.
Millennials Travels Habits Statistics, Facts and Trends Guide for 2024 (FAQ)
My updated guide for 2024 lists the best and latest statistics, facts and trends about Millennials travel patterns and habits.
I hope you enjoyed it because the guide is now over.
During my research, I consulted these resources below:
References:
- What is millennial travel?- https://www.littlehotelier.com/blog/running-your-property/changing-trends-millennial-travelers-target/
- More millennials are turning 40 — and they’re changing travel as we know it- https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/27/millennials-are-turning-40-and-theyre-changing-travel-as-we-know-it.html
- Why is AirBnb so popular with millennials?- https://www.reddit.com/r/Millennials/comments/12dkq4m/why_is_airbnb_so_popular_with_millennials/
- Millennial travel in the U.S. – statistics & facts- https://www.statista.com/topics/5465/millennial-travel-behavior-in-the-us/
- https://gogocharters.com/blog/travel-statistics-by-age-group/
- Exploring Gen Z and Millennial Travel Habits – New Skift Research- https://skift.com/2024/01/12/exploring-gen-z-and-millennial-travel-habits-new-skift-research/
- Explore Travel Trends & Stats On Destinations, Habits, Booking, Spending & Everything Else In Between!- https://www.condorferries.co.uk/millennials-travel-statistics-trends
- MILLENNIALS: A NEW TREND FOR THE TOURISM INDUSTRY- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328275976_MILLENNIALS_A_NEW_TREND_FOR_THE_TOURISM_INDUSTRY
- Gen Zers and Millennials Travel More for Leisure in America- https://www.statista.com/chart/30498/gen-zers-and-millennials-travel-more-for-leisure-in-america/
- 83+ Millennial Travel Statistics [Latest 2024 Figures]- https://www.dreambigtravelfarblog.com/blog/millennial-travel-statistics
- Millennials’ Travel Statistics; How do They Travel? https://mize.tech/blog/millennials-travel-statistics-how-do-they-travel/
- The Setjetting Generations: How Gen Zers and Millennials Travel in 2024- https://www.tripit.com/web/blog/travel-tips/gen-z-and-millennial-travel
- An Expert Guide to Millennial Travel: 6 Important Millennial Hotel Trends- https://www.blueprintrf.com/millennial-travel-trends-guide/
Nikola Roza
Nikola Roza is a blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budget but still want to succeed. Nikola is passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here.