Trending Travel 2022: Millennials Changing the Game SimCorner® Australia

Millennials (born between 1981 to 1996) are the largest generation to date, making up 31.5% of the population at 7.7 billion people.

With a spending power of an estimated $200 billion and a strong penchant for YOLO energy, Millennials are especially changing the game for tourism and travel.

Here are some interesting stats to note as travel came back to life in 2022.

Around 86% of millennials chose experiencing a new culture over partying (44%) and shopping (28%).
A whopping 82% of millennials traveled during the past year, compared with 75% of other generations surveyed.
Millennials take 69% more weekend trips, while only 13% of other generations travel over the weekend.
The average trip taken by millennials was 6.2 days, versus 6.6 days for Gen Z, 6.4 days for Gen X, and 7.8 days for Boomers.
58% - Over half of millennials - lean toward solo travel, and 26% have done so.
Approximately 60% of millennials think having an authentic cultural experience is an essential part of their trip.
92% are on the lookout for value as getting the best deals are now a part of their ‘travel personality. So make sure your pricing is transparent and accessible. Millennials also place a lot of importance on user reviews, so making sure that all feedback is clear and obvious is key.

✈️ Millennials are prioritizing travel over life events.

So it’s pretty apparent that Millennials are taking any chance they get…to get away. 😉

Post pandemic, Millennials go on more frequent vacations than older generations, and even more so, they’re likely to travel for work. In fact, in a recent survey, 78 percent of millennial respondents said they were willing to spend up to $1,000 per month on travel—which is 30 percent higher than the average for all travelers.

But on the flipside of this shift is the Great Resignation…which has impacted about 30% of millennials. With job losses, escalating resignations due to burnout, long stretches of lockdowns and unstable employment, there’s definitely been a change in re-evaluating what matters most to them in life - inflexible work schedules cooped up in a cubicle or making a leap and taking the chance to experience the world?

🍹 Millennials are going remote.

Seen someone with a laptop by the pool? It’s most likely a millennial. Not one to chuck productivity completely out the window, Millennials want experiences that give them the best of both worlds—the chance to get out of their routine and into different experiences while still being able to do everything they need. In fact, a staggering 84% have said that having remote work options is important vs. 66% of Gen Z, 75% of Gen X and 68% of Boomers. Most Americans (83%) say the pandemic has proven that many tasks can be done just as effectively online as they can in person.

Why the insistance? Well many Millennials now have small children to care for, are either in middle management positions or inching towards it - so burnout is a very common scenario. A move towards redefining success and life priorities has also followed post pandemic, with more and more gravitating towards good work-life balance, improving mental & physical health, upskilling and spending quality time with loved ones - as opposed to just climbing the corporate ladder.

🛤️ Travelling off the beaten track is the norm.

Another photo in front of the Eiffel Tower? One for the ‘gram in front of the pyramids? Mmm….maybe not.

Whilst social media still plays a big part in influencing wanderlust, authentic experiences are everything to this group. In fact, Millennials would much rather spend on experiences, outdoor adventures and even wellness retreats than on material luxuries.

Millennials are leaning towards a more authentic way to travel - to really immerse themselves in the culture, educate themselves in more meaningful ways, and to explore perhaps less, Instagrammable sights of the country they’re visiting. That’s why Uber and AirBnB have thrived significantly under these travel trends, offering connections with locals that travelers may not be privy to if they just checked into a hotel and requested for concierge recommendations. From backpacking, to shared housing, to ensuring that they’re injecting their travel dollars into often overlooked communities, it’s apparent that the Millennial traveler may not merely be seeking luxury and comfort.

😍 Travelers are more socially conscious than ever before.

Millennials are inherently more socially conscious than their predecessors, and that's reflected in the way they travel. We can see this just based on their purchasing decisions - opting to buy from brands that have established clear values, are inclusive, and focus on environmental sustainability (see GlobalData’s Q2 2022 Global Consumer survey, with 53% of Millennial respondents stating they are either “completely” or “often” influenced by brands that support green/environmental matters compared to previous generations).

In fact, research from Airbnb shows that many of its millennial users want to use their trips to make a difference in the place and communities they are vacationing at. This means that social travel is becoming increasingly popular as they continue to demand an impactful experience when it comes to booking their vacations. Millennials also want to be environmentally conscious about where and how they travel—and this is having a huge impact on the industry at large. Travelers are prioritizing eco-friendly, no phone zones over traditional tourist traps.

🏕️ Hello to DIY Travel Planning

74% research their holiday plans via smartphone.
66% of Millennials book travel using their smartphones.

Not a surprising trend, but definitely one that will stick around!

Staying connected is second nature for millennials, so having the flexibility to tailor their own travel plans, and scout for the best deals is all part of the fun in the lead up to their travels. This is probably why having a travel SIM card is a no-brainer as well for Millennial travelers - to be able to contact and communicate with loved ones no matter where they go, have access to Google Maps and more.

Smartphone apps have also streamlined check-ins for flights and hotels, navigate in unfamiliar places, book reservations for dining and excursions, and so much more, which is probably why it’s the most popular way for millennials to plan.

In short, we’ll be seeing a growing group of frequent travelers opting for more meaningful, sustainable travel experiences over lavish ones. But will this still be the case in another 10 years? And will generations after follow suit in these approaches? We’ll have to wait and see!

If you’re reading this and ready to join your millennial cohorts, be sure ensure you’re staying connected in the easiest way. Shop our travel Sim cards here and we’ll have them delivered to you before you fly!

✈️ Travel stories are best SHARED: Remember to share your travels! Be sure to tag #simcorner #StayConnected | Follow us on IG: @simcornertravel

Sources:

https://www.roller.software/blog/millennials-travel-trends-and-statistics

https://www.thewanderingrv.com/millennials-travel-statistics/

https://www.axios.com/2022/05/24/millennials-drive-remote-work-push