This generation is all about chasing inspiration from TikTok, using AI to plan trips, and taking feel-good trips that don't cost the earth. But with fewer years in the workforce, savvy spending is a priority. In this report, we unpack key travel stats for Gen Z.

Value comes first

Gen Z isn’t staying put - they’re just getting smart about how far their money can go.

This is a generation that scans flight prices like it's second nature, times bookings like seasoned pros, and knows that travelling more often doesn’t have to mean spending more. They’re not splashing cash, they’re stretching it - swapping big-budget blowouts for smart, smaller adventures that add up to a life well-traveled.

• 50% of Gen Z travellers worldwide plan to choose budget accommodation for their summer 2025 trips so they can spend more on experiences. That’s compared to 40% of travellers across all age groups. ¹

• Across the globe, 52% of Gen Z travellers take at least three leisure trips per year. ²

• 62% of Gen Z use apps and digital platforms to find better deals. ³

• Over half (52%) of Gen Z in Canada plan to make smarter choices in 2025, making their budget go further, so they can maximize their summer trip. ¹

• These savvy choices are paying off - 46% of Gen Z Canadians intend to travel internationally in the summer of 2025, that’s higher than any other age group. ¹

• When it comes to funding the trip, 21% of global Gen Z travellers rely on credit card rewards and 46% rely on their parents to help pad their travel budget. ³

Stress and spontaneity

Despite their savvy money saving and travel planning skills, Gen Z are not immune to stress when organizing trips.

Limited budget, fluctuating prices, and an endless source of social media travel inspiration might make travel planning feel more like a juggling act than a dream within reach. While globally Gen Z are more spontaneous than older generations, young Canadians lack the spontaneity of those in some other countries.

• 64% of Gen Z in Canada find visa requirements stressful when planning travel. ⁴

• 97% say overthinking can prevent them from booking travel. ⁴

• 92% fear choosing the wrong destination, which can stop them from finalizing plans. ⁴

• 57% cite budget constraints as their top travel concern - compared to 38% of Millennials and 22% of Gen X. ³

• Even so, 77% of Gen Z in Canada say they’re decisive when planning trips. However, just 20% describe themselves as spontaneous. That's lower than some other countries - in Australia 39% cite spontaneity as a key trait. ⁴

• Plus, almost a quarter (23%) of Canadian Gen Z still managed to go on more vacations than they planned in 2024. ⁴

Tech savvy travellers

Gen Z didn’t just notice AI, they welcomed it with open apps.

This is a generation that grew up chatting with algorithms and swiping through suggestions, so it’s no surprise Gen Z are using AI for travel planning. AI can help simplify the process, from revealing where to go when, suggesting things to do within a traveller’s budget, and even recommending destinations based on their vibe. Gen Z has taken note.

• Globally, over 80% of Gen Z use smartphones to research and book their trips. ⁵

• 51% favor online travel agents and direct online channels over traditional travel agents. ⁶

• Only 38% of Gen Z travellers globally use traditional travel agents. ⁷

• In Canada, 39% of people say they feel confident using AI to help plan and book trips – this rises to 55% for Gen Z. ⁸

• 51% trust AI-generated travel itineraries. ³

• 20% of Gen Z travellers have already used AI travel tools without realizing it. ⁹

• It’s not all about tech, though - 44% of Canadian Gen Z travellers believe that planetary and lunar activity, like Mercury Retrograde and full moons, impacts their vacation. ⁸

From TikTok to takeoff

Travel inspiration served by swipes and likes: Gen Z turns to social media.

Whether it’s finding new places to go, planning the details or getting recommendations on where to eat and stay, social media plays a major role. And Gen Z is not just consuming content, they’re creating it too. Finding a spot that’ll spur likes and shares adds an extra layer of motivation on where to go.

• Social media is the most popular source of travel inspiration for Gen Z in Canada (65%), with 41% inspired by film and TV and only 23% inspired by podcasts. ⁸

• Some studies have found TikTok is the primary source of travel inspiration for 60% of Gen Z, with 40% booking trips based on TikTok content alone. ³

• Most Gen Z travellers in the world (88%) follow at least one travel influencer on the platform, and 45% trust influencer recommendations. ⁷

• 46% of Gen Z post their travels on social media, and 43% of them are prioritizing trips that look good on the ‘gram. ³

• However, IRL interaction is still important; 61% of Canadian Gen Z travellers get into the summer vacation mood by talking about summer plans with friends, only 26% get into the holiday mood by sharing social content with friends. ¹

• Gen Z women are inspired to travel solo, with 83% of them saying solo female travel content on social media has inspired them to venture out alone. ³

Experience over everything

Whether it’s hiking in national parks or catching flights for music festivals, Gen Z prioritizes experiences.

Gen Z prize passport stamps over possessions and are open-minded when it comes to embracing a new culture. When traveling you can find them grooving to the beat of band they’re hearing for the first time, enjoying local cuisine or attending immersive exhibitions.

• 65% of Gen Z globally cite seeing the world as the most important way to spend their money. ³

• They’re foodies! A survey conducted by Skyscanner found food to be the most important factor for Canadian Gen Z when picking a holiday destination (59%) – that’s higher than the weather (56%) and the shopping (39%). ⁸

• This is a generation that are more likely to seek particular cultural experiences when on vacation than other generations too – 23% were planning to go to a gig or concert when travelling in 2025 and 24% intended to go to an immersive art exhibition. ⁸

• The 2025 summer travel plans for 40% of Canadian Gen Z are motivated by a desire to experience more destinations and activities than ever before. ¹

Getting their R&R

Wellness over wild nights - Gen Z prioritize feel-good travel.

As a global trend, Gen Z seems to be more focused on health and wellness activities, even going so far as to popularize ‘dry holidays,’ trips where they don’t consume alcohol. Millennials might’ve indulged in party tourism, but Gen Z prefers to get a full night of sleep, focusing on daytime adventures and relaxation.

• 93% of Gen Z say travel improves their mental wellbeing, with 90% returning from a trip feeling less anxious and more positive than when they left. ³

• 79% of Canadian Gen Z also feel vacations are helpful in building resilience and leave them better able to handle life’s daily stresses. ⁸

• 73% plan trips specifically for wellness benefits like relaxation or self-care activities. ³

• Half of Gen Z choose hotels based on their wellness offerings, like offering yoga classes or having a gym or spa, on work trips. ⁷

• Gen Z drinks significantly less alcohol than Millennials on vacation, preferring sightseeing to pub crawls. ⁷

• Canadians are also more likely to keep up with health and wellness routines (44%) than overindulge when on holiday (20%). ⁸

• Travelling to a Blue Zone, where people tend to live longer, inspires 79% of Canadian Gen Z travellers. ⁸

Conscious choices

Reshaping travel with every conscious choice and lower-impact itinerary.

More than half of Gen Z travellers say they’re willing to pay extra to help lessen the environmental impact of their trips. And we’re not just talking about ticking the “eco-friendly” filter and calling it a day. These travelers are actively steering away from overtouristed hotspots, seeking out stays that skip the single-use plastic, and swapping high-emission activities for grounding days spent in nature.

• In Canada, 79% of Gen Z travellers are open to choosing a less well-known destination versus an overly popular one and 48% have actively planned to visit a quieter, less crowded destination due to concerns about crowding. ¹

• The majority (56%) of Gen Z prefer to support companies that are environmentally responsible, even if it costs more. ³

• This is a generation that is especially drawn to nature when they travel. Compared to other age groups, Gen Z in Canada are more likely to plan outdoor activities on vacation - like hiking (41%), wildlife spotting (24%), and water sports such as wild swimming (27%). ⁸

• Out of all generations, Gen Z globally is more likely to actively seek hotels with strong environmental credentials, with 56% preferring to stay in eco-friendly accommodations. ³

• Stopping and smelling the flowers is a hit with Gen Z travellers from Canada, with 76% stating they either like or love visiting gardens while on vacation. ⁸

How Gen Z travels: smart, soulful, and more sustainably conscious

With a budgeting app in one hand and an AI trip planner in the other, Gen Z are hacking their way to the kind of travel that actually means something.

It’s not about ticking off tourist traps. It’s about soul-filling, story-worthy experiences - the kind you find watching sunrise from a mountain hut or swapping playlists with strangers on an overnight train across Europe.

Wellness matters. So does making more sustainable choices. And while their budgets might be tight, their values are non-negotiable. They’ll stretch a Dollar (or Euro) to afford eco-conscious stays and lower-impact adventures that align with their ideals.

They favour moments over monuments. Nature over noise. Curated chaos over cruise control. And yes, their itinerary might’ve started on TikTok - but their journey is 100% their own.

Sources

1. Skyscanner research conducted using OnePoll in March & April 2025 with 20,000 respondents globally (2,000 Canadian respondents). Gen Z responses are from those aged 18 – 24 at the time of being surveyed.

2. apti.com

3. condorferries.co.uk

4. Skyscanner research conducted using OnePoll in November & December 2024 with 20,000 respondents globally (2,000 Canadian respondents). Gen Z responses are from those aged 18 – 24 at the time of being surveyed.

5. Forbes

6. Kleber Group

7. travelperk.com

8. Skyscanner research conducted using OnePoll for Travel Trends in July 2024 with 20,000 respondents globally (2,000 Canadian respondents). Gen Z responses are from those aged 18 – 24 at the time of being surveyed.

9. wsu.edu