Millennials More Optimistic About Taking Vacations

In promising news for travel agents, Millennials are more likely to take more vacations than other age groups, with more than half (56 percent) planning to travel more this summer than compared to last year.

According to the 2018 Travelport U.S. Vacation Survey, which polled approximately 1,500 U.S. residents, Millennials’ optimism about taking vacations, however, is not fully shared by Americans aged 35 and up; only 35 percent of Gen X respondents (ages 35-54 years old) and 22 percent of Baby Boomers (ages 55+) plan to travel more.

The survey also found Millennials (ages 18-34 years old) are most likely to spend more on their upcoming vacations than other age groups, with one out of three Millennials (34 percent) willing to spend $5,000 or more on their vacations, the most of any other age group.

They plan to vacation more in the next 12 months compared to the 12 months prior, with 55 percent of Millennials expecting to increase their vacation plans, in contrast to the more cautious future vacation planning of Gen Xers (31 percent) and Baby Boomers (20 percent).

Baby Boomers are least likely to increase their plans to travel in the next year compared to last year, likely an indication this demographic has established a consistent approach to planning and going on vacation. More than 78 percent said they would travel either the same amount or less in the next 12 months.

Millennials use traditional travel agencies
Millennials are also the most likely to use traditional offline travel agencies (23 percent) for hotel bookings, compared to Gen X and Baby Boomers, 7 percent and 6 percent respectively. Millennials are more likely to use a travel agency to book travel if a mobile app with customized notifications are available, with 44 percent saying they are willing to make the switch.

“The key is offering consumers, regardless of their budgets, the best air, hotel and other vacation deals, which requires travel providers and travel sellers to deliver a personalized, seamless and stress-free experience at each step of the vacation journey,” said Erika Moore, Travelport’s vice president and general manager for the U.S.

The survey was conducted by Toluna, a certified member of the Market Research Foundation, polling 1,515 U.S. residents ages 18 years and over, representing all 50 states, from May 4-7, 2018.