Generation Z shaping the travel landscape through social media
Today, with the availability of smartphones and social media platforms, Pinoys can do so much more with their fancy gadgets and engage more often in various online platforms. In a January 2025 research conducted by digital travel platform Agoda, the study showed that today’s youth find travel inspiration in the digital realm, embrace spontaneity, and value shared experiences. A huge chunk of Gen Z prefers to get their inspiration from digital platforms. In fact, Gen Z travelers look to TikTok for ideas, and some of them also rely on travel blogs and vlogs.
Generation Z, or those born between 1997 and 2012, are shaping the travel landscape with their unique and fresh take on what fuels them to explore the world, one country at a time. Here are five travel trends according to 15,000 Gen Z from the Philippines, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan and other popular Asian destinations:
Social media as a travel guide
While Millennials, those born between 1981 and 1996, lean on their friends and family’s travel recommendations, Gen Z is scrolling through TikTok (22%), travel blogs, and vlogs (17%) to discover their next travel adventure.
Spontaneity is on the rise
Gen Z embraces the thrill of last-minute travel bookings more than any other generation. The study showed that one in eight Gen Z make their flight bookings at the latest possible moment, showcasing their spontaneous spirit.
Looking for travel buddies
For Gen Z, traveling is not just about the destination, but also about the shared experiences. Forty percent of them prefer to explore new places with a partner or in a group, highlighting the importance of bonding and companionship in their travel journeys.
Cost-conscious
Budget-friendly trips remain a top trend for Gen Z travelers (57%), making them on the same page as Millennials (47%). Both generations prefer keeping accommodation costs under P3,000 or $50 per night.
Wanderlust
Despite finding travel inspirations in different platforms, the desire to travel is a common thread that transcends generations. More than half of Gen Z participants in the study plan to embark on one to three trips in 2025 and about a third of them aim to go on four to six adventures.
Agoda.com is an online travel agency catering to customers around the world, registered and headquartered in Singapore with operations in Bangkok, Thailand.
Reference: Social media is the new travel guide, according to Gen Z – study | GMA News Online
