Small Voices, Big Choices: How Generation Alpha Takes The Lead in Family Travel Planning
SINGAPORE , Sept. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a significant shift, Asia Pacific's youngest generation is now leading the charge in family travel planning with their distinct preferences shaping the future of the travel industry. Hilton's 2025 Trends Report reveals how Generation Alpha and Generation Z are reshaping travel, and prioritizing experiences that reflect their personal interests and cultural pride.
"The growing influence of Generation Alpha on family travel signals a transformative shift in the travel industry - one that Hilton is excited to embrace," said Ben George, senior vice president and commercial director, Asia Pacific, Hilton. "As these trends accelerate, we recognize the importance of adapting to evolving preferences. Hilton is set to exceed 1,000 hotels in APAC by 2025, and we're focused on creating new experiences to capture the imagination of this emerging generation and their families."
Next-Gen Navigators: How Young Travelers Are Steering Family Travel
In Asia Pacific, family travel is increasingly guided by the preferences of Gen Alpha and Gen Z, with 87% of young travelers actively contributing to their family's vacation planning. This is particularly so in China (98%) and India (93%), where more than nine in 10 Gen Alpha and Gen Z are somewhat or very involved in trip planning. Moreover, 69% of APAC parents choose vacation destinations based on their children's interests.
While these young travelers' input is strong in picking activities and destinations, logistical decisions - such as dining (39%), transportation (38%), accommodation (32%), budgeting (20%), and trip duration (18%) - are still primarily managed by parents. This growing involvement highlights the evolving dynamic of family travel, with younger generations taking the lead in creating memorable experiences, while still leaning on their families for practical planning.
Cultural Pride: APAC Families Turning Travel into Growth Experiences
For Gen Alpha and Gen Z in APAC, travel is a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. A strong connection to cultural heritage drives these young travelers, with 75% taking pride in the region's global cultural influence and 73% eager to explore their roots through travel.
APAC families use travel as a way to connect with their cultural identities. Notably, 61% of parents choose destinations that reflect their heritage, traditions, and values.
Beyond cultural exploration, 68% of young travelers in APAC view travel as a key to enhancing their education and personal development. APAC parents agree, with 60% selecting culturally significant destinations to support their children's learning and growth.
From Sports to K-Pop: The Key Travel Trends for Gen Alpha and Gen Z in 2025
For APAC's Gen Alpha and Gen Z travelers, trips centered around entertainment, sports, adventure, and meaningful connections with loved ones are at the top of their agenda.
Sports events, like the ODI World Cup for Women, Table Tennis World Championships and FIFA Club World Cup, are the hottest tickets in 2025, with 35% of young travelers in APAC planning their trips around these events. This growing interest in sports tourism is also reflected in Hilton's own data. From 2019 to 2024, Hilton Worldwide Sport Sales revenue tripled in volume, with 80% of this growth driven by youth or amateur sports. Following closely for APAC's Gen Alpha and Gen Z travelers are nature events and camps (34%) such as cherry blossom festivals and ski trips, and music concerts and festivals (26%) – particularly K-pop concerts.
Young and On the Move: APAC's Gen Alpha and Gen Z Embrace Annual Travel
Gen Alpha and Gen Z across Asia Pacific are avid travelers, with 92% taking at least one trip in the past year. Gen Alpha and Gen Z's appetite for travel is particularly pronounced in China, India and Singapore, where young travelers have gone on two to three trips on average in the past year.
This passion for travel is evident in their future plans as well, with 88% of Gen Alpha and Gen Z in APAC likely to travel in the next year. Additionally, 72% take pride in their ability to explore new destinations. These findings highlight the strong and growing demand for travel among younger generations.
Digital Nomads: The Role of Technology in Gen Alpha and Gen Z Travel
In today's digital age, technology is central to the travel experience for Gen Alpha and Gen Z. In APAC, parents and children stay online throughout their trips, spending up to four hours a day on their devices. Gen Z, in particular, spends more time online, averaging three hours daily, compared to Gen Alpha's two hours.
Smartphones (64%), digital tablets (38%), and smart watches (33%) are travel essentials for these young adventurers, primarily being used to stream videos (55%), play games (45%), and stay in touch with loved ones via messaging apps (44%). Additionally, more than a third (42%) use their devices to listen to music and 30% share their experiences on social media.
These trends are consistent with Hilton's team member survey findings, showing that access to technology is ranked as the top amenity for Gen Alpha travelers and their families, with entertainment and child-friendly activities also high on the list.
Domestic vs. Global Travel: The Travel Preferences of APAC's Young Explorers
Gen Alpha and Gen Z travelers in APAC are excited about exploring both local and international destinations. With the exception of Singapore, there is a strong preference for domestic travel among Gen Alpha and Gen Z across all APAC markets.
This emerging generation is also increasingly interested in traveling beyond Asia to immerse themselves in diverse cultures, with Australia, Japan and South Korea emerging as top destinations across the markets surveyed.
Top Holiday Destinations for Gen Alpha and Gen Z in APAC | ||||
China | India | Japan | Australia | Singapore |
China (38%) | India (34%) | Japan (59%) | Australia (36%) | Japan (37%) |
Singapore (26%) | Singapore (28%) | Hawaii (21%) | Japan (29%) | Australia (26%) |
Japan (26%) | America (22%) | South Korea (17%) | New Zealand (29%) | Malaysia (25%) |
South Korea (19%) | Australia (20%) | America (15%) | America (25%) | China (23%) |
Australia (18%) | United Kingdom (17%) | Australia (8%) | Hawaii (17%) | South Korea (23%) |
"As Generation Alpha and Z step into the role of key influencers in family travel decisions, they are redefining the landscape of travel. Their evolving preferences are driving the industry to innovate, creating opportunities for more meaningful, immersive, and culturally enriching experiences that align with their values," said Alexandra Jaritz, senior vice president, Brand Management, Asia Pacific, Hilton. "This shift is not just about the destinations they choose, but how they interact with and experience the world. At Hilton, we're focused on aligning our strategy to meet these expectations, offering brands and experiences that inspire and enhance their journeys."
Hilton's 2025 Trends Report: Key Insights for 2025 and Beyond
These insights were commissioned as part of research for Hilton's 2025 Trends Report, dubbed the 'Year of the Travel Maximizer', revealing how travelers are seeking to blend relaxation with impactful adventures. As the post-pandemic travel boom stabilizes, Hilton's comprehensive survey of over 13,000 global travelers across 13 countries, insights from more than 4,100 Hilton Team Members, and in-depth interviews with Hilton travel experts, highlights several additional trends:
Discover what type of traveler you are with Hilton's Generation Alpha Personality Test. Read Hilton's full report at stories.hilton.com/2025trends. Or, to start planning for 2025 travel, visit Hilton.com.