The recently released Unpack ’25 Travel Trends report delivers insights and opportunities for hotels, tour operators and travel agencies wanting to grab a share of the Gen Z market.
The report has been generated from combined first-party travel data from Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo’s, insights from search behaviour, and global survey results. And it has revealed a number of strengthening Gen Z travel trends – unsurprisingly – the TikTok influence is strong throughout.
Emerging Gen Z Travel Trends include Detour Destinations, All-Inclusive Packages, Natural Phenomena Travel and JOMO accommodations. And a high percentage of those who took part in the global survey cited posts and reels seen on TikTok as a key influencer in their future vacation decisions.
To stay relevant to the Gen Z market, whether your business is a hotel, tour operator, or travel agency it’s important to be aware and reactive to emerging trends …. And to get your brand or business on TikTok!
Gen Z Travel Trends: Detour Destinations
More people are searching for – and booking – flights and travel itineraries that allow them to stop off at less well-known destinations, enroute to their primary vacation destination.
Coined ‘Detour Destinations’, global surveys indicate TikTok reels and videos are generating this emerging travel trend. Gen Z travelers are searching for travel routes that will enable them to visit less-well know destinations, often with significantly lower tourist footfall, on their way to or from their primary destination.
- 63% of Gen Z saying they are likely to visit a Detour Destination on their next vacation.
Gen Z Travel Trend Tip:
One of the biggest hurdles for expanding travel and tourism in the Philippines has been the lack of reliable transport options between destinations and locations. Whether it’s routes and timetables not being in sync, or unreliable drivers and vehicles. The average tourist is put off by the complications and stress involved in organizing a detour.
By working in close partnership with local private transport operators, and hotel and accommodation providers in lesser-travelled locations, primary destination hotels can create and market Detour Destination packages to attract the Gen Z traveler.
And where should you focus your marketing? Social Media. Have your TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube accounts work for you, with exciting, beautiful reels and videos to incite FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) to entice bookings.
Gen Z Travel Trends: All-Inclusive Travel
Who would have thought that we would be swinging back round to All-Inclusive packages!
The Unpack ’25 Travel Trends report reveals that #allinclusive is trending on TikTok (data from the TikTok Creative Center) and searches using the ‘all-inclusive’ filter on Hotels.com has jumped 60% year-over-year for the Gen Z demographic.
In a global survey:-
- 41% say a primary reason for booking an All-Inclusive package is the minimal stress involved.
- 39% prefer the booking simplicity of an All-Inclusive packages
- 38% believe that All-Inclusive packages offer a luxurious experience
- 42% state that an All-Inclusive vacation is their preferred resort type.
The report cites TikTok as amplifying the appeal of all-inclusive resorts among younger travelers. Major hotel brands – like Marriott and Hyatt – are responding quickly by expanding their All-Inclusive packages to capture a greater share of the Gen Z travel market.
Gen Z Travel Trend Tip:
Much like the previous tip, if your business model doesn’t allow for an in-house All-Inclusive package, look at creating it with local providers; airport/harbor return transfers, activities and tours, spa treatments and massages, intimate dinners etc.
Then market the packages focusing on the feels of luxury, stress free and easy to book.
Gen Z Travel Trends: Goods Getaways
“On TikTok, everything from a chocolate bar from Dubai, skincare products from Korea, candy from Japan, and butter from France have gone viral. Gen Z can’t wait to get their hands on these specialty goods.”
Global survey data shows that
- 39% of travelers usually visit a grocery store and
- 44% shop to buy local goods they can’t get at home.
Gen Z Travel Trend Tip:
It doesn’t just have to be physical mass-produced products that travelers can buy and take home. Consider experiences too.
Visiting local community craft initiatives, Filipino Cooking Classes, learning how to make hot chocolate with cacao.
Promote local artisans and communities in-house and consider how you can partner with them to offer unique experiences and purchase opportunities.
Then market the heck out of it on TikTok to drive demand.
Gen Z Travel Trends: Phenomena List
“travelers [are] going to great lengths to witness natural phenomena. Whether it’s looking toward dark skies to stargaze or see the Northern Lights or heading to the beach to watch sea turtles hatch, travelers want a front row seat to breathtaking natural wonders.”
Isn’t the Philippines one of the best destinations for the Gen Z Travel Market?! The country is full of tiny islands, deserted beaches, remote locations, mountains, lakes, waterfalls, night sky vistas with the best seats in the house for starry night watching, bird-watching opportunities.
Of course, when considering the opportunities the Philippines has to offer, it is critical that you take a balanced approach to limit negative impacts on the environment, local communities and endemic species – particularly any that are endangered or at risk.
Check out our Sustainability Workbook for guidance, and ensure you undertake responsible due diligence and work with local experts – because environmental impact is important to Gen Z too.
You can find more Gen Z Travel Trend insights in the Unpack ’25 Travel Trends report.
If you’re ready to go with your marketing but want some guidance on the best approaches for getting seen – and getting engagement from Gen Z – check out The Shift in Hotel Visual Marketing: Why Emotion, Movement, and Drone Storytelling Are Defining 2025 by Hospitality Net
