Cafeteria, the biggest insights platform for Gen Z and Alpha, reveals what Gen Subsequent really desires from journey, accommodations and airways in 2026. For Cafeteria’s first Subsequent Gen Spenders: Journey Version, over 900 Gen Z customers spent 197 hours speaking about what journey will appear like in 2026.
Mark Silverstein, co-founder and Chief Enterprise Officer, says: “For Gen Z, making reminiscences is crucial journey luxurious. To spend extra on experiences – the meal, the live performance, the second – they’ll discover the most cost effective flight or share a lodge room.”
He continues: “Additionally they see time as an vital a part of the itinerary. They wish to get to their vacation spot early and can spend cash on an Uber to get to their lodge sooner. They select accommodations with Google Maps to make sure they’re near the experiences and eating places they prefer to spend on.”
With greater than 1 million insights produced throughout 1000’s of Gen Z and Alpha customers, Cafeteria empowers high manufacturers and companies to get solutions in real-time.
“Our prospects are listening straight to those younger shoppers. The manufacturers that hear start to actually perceive their buyer, creating cultural relevance – and that is what drives model want and actual enterprise efficiency. That is precisely what practically 200 hours of Gen Subsequent responses to Cafeteria delivers,” says Silverstein.
Take a look at highlights from Cafetaria’s report under and watch the complete report with voice notes and audio trailer right here. https://www.teamcafeteria.com/news/next-gen-travel
The compulsory Twenties journey: Japan
Twenty-somethings cannot get sufficient of Japan’s alien tradition. They point out panorama, tradition, meals, affordability and area of interest pursuits like JDM automobiles.
“Japan! Tokyo to be precise, I really like how futuristic and artistic Japan is. And the meals appears AMAZING. I really like the tradition and panorama primarily based on the movies I see on-line and it makes me wish to construct an expertise of my very own.” [c] feminine / 19 / Fort Myers, FL
Technology Z bypasses third-party reserving websites
TikTok is seen as a key supply for inspiration and reserving recommendation, coming into the reserving funnel as a discovery layer for offers. One in 4 Gen Zers are skipping the intermediary, bypassing on-line journey companies (OTAs) and third-party platforms and selecting to ebook straight via airline and lodge web sites and apps. Those that use OTAs want Expedia.
Nonetheless included within the household subscription
Reserving Gen Z journey is a gradual handoff from dad and mom to independence.
14-17: The Backseat Vacationers – 65% booked by dad and mom: 18% self-booked on their first expertise with airline and lodge loyalty applications
18-21: The Co-Pilots – 42% self-booked: 40% parent-booked (cut up). These are energetic bookers with out their very own bank card.
22+: The drivers – 48% booked themselves: 29% booked by dad and mom. Companions are beginning to come into the image.
Bus flights, Michelin nights
Flight is a way. The meals and experiences are the purpose. Self-booking Gen Z strategically saves on flights to spend on experiences and meals.
Flights = #1 financial savings purpose
Resorts = division between luxurious and price range
Meals + Experiences = high spending classes
“I normally splurge on eating experiences and procuring whereas I am there. I do not actually care how I get there or the place I keep as a result of the true reminiscences are made within the locations you go when you get there.” [c] feminine / 20 / Eureka, MO
Uber on arrival
Baggage + fatigue = Uber wins on arrival. However after that it is the subway.
26% of 18+ self-bookers wish to save by touring by public transport throughout their journey. Nevertheless, 73% of these savers take Uber/Lyft from the airport. The “financial savings” occur throughout the journey, not upon arrival (the place baggage + fatigue make Uber the default).
Cruises make Technology Z nervous
Gen Z is split on cruises – the curiosity is there, however many are caught between the enchantment of the expertise and the concern of Titanic-level disaster.
‘Enjoyable’ is probably the most generally talked about phrase to explain cruises (30%), however hardly ever stands alone; it’s virtually all the time accompanied by the concern or concern about seasickness. Girls really feel this rigidity most acutely: they’re answerable for 72% of fear-related reactions, however additionally they lead the constructive sentiment.
“Cruises sound scary. I do not know if I might ever wish to go on one. However from what I’ve seen, there are three phrases that most likely come to thoughts: enjoyable, adventurous, adventurous or adventurous, and I do not know, occasion.” [c] feminine / 20 / Chicago, IL
Favourite airways
Technology Z prefers Delta, JetBlue and United.
Premium at truthful costs → Delta + JetBlue
Cookie nostalgia → Delta
Finest Screens/WiFi → JetBlue
Most legroom → JetBlue + United
Dependable household customary = United
Open seating = Southwest
Loyalty Deal Breakers:
Operational failures (America delays/cancellations)
Taking away perks (Southwest ends free checked bag coverage in Could 2025)
“delta, I consider it’s the greatest worth for cash and also you get a really premium expertise on even probably the most primary ticket”[c] non-binary / 18 / New York, NY
Google Maps is the brand new lodge finder
Gen Z explores accommodations like actual property. They use Google Maps to scan accommodations primarily based on location and critiques earlier than conducting additional analysis.
What they take note of when reserving:
Location
Cleanliness
View and home windows
“I normally go on Google Maps and discover issues or websites that may curiosity me, like a cool park, monument or space for sightseeing” [c] male / 21 / Bronx, NY
Flight advantages + priorities
Advantages they care about: Baggage. Ache they really feel: leg room.
Standing advantages akin to precedence boarding and seat upgrades are secondary to direct advantages akin to free checked luggage. However when requested what airways want to enhance, legroom dominates.
Kindness makes the group chat
Effectivity is anticipated. However heat is what Gen Z remembers most about journey workers and experiences.
When requested about their final nice customer support expertise, pleasant workers was talked about twice as typically as every other issue. The shareable tales? Staff who clear up issues, go the additional mile and shock with small gestures (free treats, birthday extras).