Not just ‘instaworthy’: Young travelers are now more discerning
CHIC CLIQUE Law student Tonie Moreno (rightmost) with friends Denise Nachor and Antonette Bautista clad in hanbok while visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, Korea —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Being able to board a plane and visiting a favorite destination after years of strict COVID-19 lockdown have been a gift to adventurers who love seeing every corner of the world. Millennials and Gen Zs, in particular, are crafting well-thought-out travel plans and even allotting so much money to satisfy their wanderlust. It is all about creating precious memories, after all.
A study by travel platform Klook says that the majority of millennials and Gen Zs—who represent young professionals at varying career stages—are becoming more intentional with their trips. They like to be organized with everything: from booking flights and accommodations up to setting itineraries.
About 58 percent of the Filipinos belonging to this category like to sketch out their travel plans at least two to six months in advance. In Asia Pacific, some 65 percent of the travelers do the same thing.
Travel spots and itineraries
So, what are these youngsters doing during their vacation? These explorers love to be out in nature, seeking thrilling activities that just make them feel more alive.
Klook says 89 percent of Filipino travelers go to island tours and canyoneering—and for those who are even more adventurous, they engage in water activities like whale shark watching and parasailing. Some prefer a laid-back experience, which can be also fun nonetheless, like sightseeing through cruises.
The report finds out that the younger Filipinos prefer short-haul trips, making Singapore, South Korea and Japan their top dream destinations.
Tourists like to visit Marina Bay Sands and marvel at the majestic Merlion, wear colorful hanbok as they go around Korean temples and gaze at cherry blossoms in Okinawa and Hokkaido.
Meanwhile, an Airbnb study notes that travelers are also now staying for more than 28 days in a destination to have deeper engagement with the locals.
Power of social media
But before they hop on a plane, these meticulous travelers are doing research first via a channel that is brimming with recommendations: social media.
The Klook study shows that nine out of 10 millennials and Gen Zs in the region sift through numerous online reviews before making any booking. They rely on travel content recommendations on social media.
For Filipinos, they visit Facebook, TikTok and Instagram to look for travel inspiration.
“The rise of social media as a travel inspiration and planning tool is largely due to their interactive nature, especially with short-form videos and mobile apps,” Klook cofounder and chief operating officer Eric Gnock Fah says.
“It has undeniably become a powerful and dynamic source of travel inspiration among millennials and Gen Zs. This lies in its ability to offer authentic storytelling and personalized real-time recommendations,” he adds.
HELLO, SAKURA! Disaster risk manage ment specialist Lesley Cordero enjoying cherry blossoms in Kyoto, Japan
Holiday splurging
It looks like cost is not an issue among the younger generations.
“Surprisingly, Gen Zs, who are just beginning to embark on their careers, are not far behind their millennial counterparts in splurging on travel,” the Klook report notes.
For Filipinos, the spending limit is $1,000, which is still about P56,000 or more than double their average monthly income.
The biggest spenders in the region, according to the Klook study, come from mainland China and Hong Kong, who have travel budgets of over $3,000. India and Vietnam respondents, meanwhile, are open to shelling out less than $2,000 for their trips.
In the Philippines, plane fares are set to increase in September after the Civil Aeronautics Board raised the fuel surcharge to level 6 from the current level 4.
Under level 6, passengers of domestic flights will pay fuel surcharge of P185 to P665 each while those flying abroad will be charged an additional P610.37 to P4,538.40.
Fuel surcharges are additional fees by airlines to help them recover fuel costs. These are separate from the base fare or the actual amount paid by the passenger for a seat.
Travel currency
The adventurers do not mind taking time to create their travel plans and spend so much because they are after worthwhile experiences.
“Embracing a new era of travel, experiences have emerged as a new coveted currency for the next generation of travelers, particularly among millennials and Gen Zs,” Fah explains.
Klook even describes travel as an investment for some millennials and Gen Zs, who are just looking for a great time in return.
“Unique experiences and activities take precedence in their travel plans as the first thing they look at, with 85 percent of travelers willing to invest in experiences during their holidays,” he adds. INQ
