Millennials are the best travellers!
Although I hate the word, I am a ‘millennial’. Born in the early 90’s, I grew up with a Tamagotchi in one hand and an NSYNC album in the other. Along with some questionable style trends, I also grew up in the culture that encouraged travelling and experiencing as much as we can while we’re young. Adults told me I could be whoever I wanted, and I ate that up, wanting to have my own experiences as well as make my own mistakes. Yes this generation may be tech obsessed, but we’re also not satisfied with getting a job to just pay the bills. We want to sacrifice some comfort, stay on a randommer’s couch, and end up at a secret beach. We want to immerse ourselves in it all, and because of this, we’re proving to be some of the best travellers.
Topdeck Travel did a survey of 31,000 people from 134 different countries between the ages of 18-30 years old and found some interesting results. 88% of them traveled overseas 1-3 times a year, 30% of them traveled solo, and 76% said that a friends’ recommendations was a main factor, even rating social media as a larger influence than travel agent advice. We’re not afraid to be independent, and because our friends are likely to have ‘been there, done that’ word of mouth is a trustworthy source of advice.
Travel > the party
Along with wanting to taste the amazing grub, the survey also showed that this generation is not focused on the party atmosphere of travelling as much as expected (I told you Mom!). Instead, seeking out new cultures and tasting the local food comes first. Experiencing a new culture came in at 86% when deciding to travel, eating local cuisine at 69% and partying and shopping at a respective 44% and 28%.
(Not) Doing it for the Insta!
While researching this survey, I had to laugh at the opening line to the social media section saying that “despite the notion that millennials are selfie and social-media obsessed…over half of young travellers only update their social media accounts a few times per week”. And I completely agree! While I’m traveling, I 1. Rarely have wifi and 2. Want to spend my time in the gorgeous place I’ve spent so much time researching and thinking about. Yes, I’m guilty of bragging a little on Snapchat with a sweet snap of me sandboarding in a national park just outside of Sydney, but in general, I’m often having too much fun to share it with the world!
Making the most out of the paycheck
In a separate survey, 72% of Millennials are choosing to spend more money on experiences than material items. We’re curious, we take risks, but educated risks. I can’t tell you how long I’ve spent researching and asking around about different areas to stay, places to visit, and things to see before I actually buy that $29 sketchy RyanAir flight to Budapest and book a room in a stranger’s home.
Luckily I’ve had the opportunity to travel to around Europe, to study abroad in France, and now to work and live in Australia with the full support of everyone around me. Although that may not be the case for everyone, I consistently encounter young people doing the exact same thing. We’re redefining the meaning of a ‘successful future’ and if that doesn’t include a 9-5 stable-income job, we’re not too worried about it and instead just looking for the next big adventure!
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