Generation Z: The Backpack‑Bandits, Snap‑Savvy, and Eco‑Saviors of 2025
Booking.com’s latest survey of 5,456 teens and early‑twenties from 29 countries (Brazil, China, France, India, Australia, the UK, US, Canada, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Colombia, and a few more) paints a vivid picture of Gen Z’s travel mood. Guess what? They’re not only about the next Insta‑post—they have a whole agenda.
Global Wanderlust: Flying High on Dream
- 67 % of Gen Z worldwide can’t wait to see the world.
- Colombia tops the list—91 % eager to roam.
- India and China trail with a solid 82 %, Argentina follows at 80 %.
Travel beats bragging about degrees, home ownership, or saving for that imaginary retirement fund. In short: they’d rather fly than play Monopoly.
South Korea: The Snap‑Saboteurs
In Seoul, the yank is on the cameras. A whopping 50 %+ of travelers in South Korea, India, and Argentina will upload more than 50 photos of a single getaway. “Show me the world, I’ll show you the screen!” is the era’s unofficial slogan.
Colombia: Dreaming of Dreams
Feel the vibe: 91 % say travel is a dream. That’s almost a full-on life‑mission. Those Colombian youngsters are ready to trade coffee beans for coffee‑cups at the Colón Bridge.
Adventure Cravers: 56 % Are Going for the Thrills
From paragliding in the Andes to bungee‑jumping down the Grand Canyon, half the kids in the survey scream for adrenaline. It’s “If it’s not a scream, it’s not a stop.”
Solo Travel: A Tiny Minority
Only 18 % of Gen Z around the globe want to pack a backpack or take a gap year. But in Taiwan and Hong Kong, the figure jumps to double—36 %. Mystery solved: They’re willing to break a pact with their parents for that no‑bad‑people‑saw‑me‑yet vibe.
Green‑Travelers: 50 % with Planet‑Proof Budgets
About half of the respondents know that checking a whole world out can leave a footprint. They’re ready to put “eco‑friendly” on their itinerary, or at least use reusable bottles if they’re feeling extra.
Who Gets Them to Move?
Instagram reigns supreme. Celebrities and influencers push Gen Z to book flights, buy souvenirs, and squeeze that extra selfie in between each street corner. It’s the new mentor for a generation that grows up in a world where pics mount up faster than pixels in a Snapchat.
Bottom Line: The Eleven‑Year‑Olds of Travel
Key Takeaway: Gen Z’s travel dreams are 10‑plus years ahead of their parents’. They’ll measure that adventure by the number of thumbs‑up, the coolness of their itinerary, and the impact they can leave. Travel, they say: “I’m here to die two meters from a cliff, but let’s also impact your world.” And that feeling is much, much cooler than scrolling through old school ‘family photos’. That’s the Gen Z call to the world.
