• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Egg companies made $1.22 billion in profit off a $6 carton — now they’re buying their way out of a price-fixing case with 53 million donated eggs

2

Meet the Zillennials: The luckiest micro-generation in the workforce, born between 1993 and 1998

3

Even as Elon Musk calls philanthropy ‘very hard,’ every day Americans gave a record $617 billion—despite feeling the squeeze over the cost of living

1

Egg companies made $1.22 billion in profit off a $6 carton — now they’re buying their way out of a price-fixing case with 53 million donated eggs

2

Meet the Zillennials: The luckiest micro-generation in the workforce, born between 1993 and 1998

3

Even as Elon Musk calls philanthropy ‘very hard,’ every day Americans gave a record $617 billion—despite feeling the squeeze over the cost of living
Gen Z
Europe

Gen Zers and millennials get travel right. Here’s their recipe for the ultimate vacation

By
Audrey Hendley
Audrey Hendley
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Audrey Hendley
Audrey Hendley
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 5, 2023, 9:09 AM ET
Young travelers are prioritizing experiences over luxury–and trying to live like locals.
Young travelers are prioritizing experiences over luxury–and trying to live like locals.Marc Asensio—NurPhoto/Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Due to pent-up demand for travel, consumers–particularly Gen Zers and millennials–have big plans to travel this year and are prioritizing trips and experiences over purchasing luxury items. According to American Express Travel’s 2023 Global Travel Trends Report, 79% of Gen Z and Millennial respondents agree that they see leisure travel as an important budget priority and 84% would rather take a dream vacation than purchase a new luxury item.

The question isn’t will people be traveling this summer, but where will they find inspiration on where to go and how their passions will influence what they do when they get there. As President of American Express Travel, these are the questions that excite me as we continue to innovate our programs, benefits, and services to meet younger consumers’ evolving travel needs.

So, whether you’re in the travel industry looking to get a better understanding of the trends shaping the future of travel or booking your own dream summer vacation, here are four tips for planning the ultimate summer vacation inspired by Gen Zers and millennials.

Don’t be afraid to travel off the beaten path

So much can be gained from truly immersing yourself in the local culture of a destination. At American Express Travel, we continue to see strong interest in personalized itineraries, and in trips that prominently feature locally owned businesses.

Younger travelers want to feel that they are truly experiencing the culture they have traveled to, and to avoid anything that feels inauthentic. 79% of Gen Z and Millennial respondents agree that they would love to partake in a day of the life of locals in the destination they are visiting. And on top of that, they’re excited to discover places that friends and family back home don’t know about.

Onscreen inspirations, IRL plans

Binge-worthy shows have put some truly enchanting travel destinations in the spotlight in recent years–and Gen Zers and Millennials have big plans to capture the coveted TikTok video this summer. 70% of Gen Z and millennial respondents agree that they have been inspired to visit a destination after seeing it featured in a TV show, news source, or movie. And 61%of Gen Z and millennials agree that a top motivation for traveling in 2023 is to visit a destination because it looks great in photos and videos.

Our travel consultants can help travelers’ onscreen dreams become a reality–from an adventure-filled trip to the newly opened Montage Big Sky in Montana to being swept away by the romance in Paris at the five-star Hotel Plaza Athénée.  

Treat yourself to a little self-care

It’s time to say goodbye to the feeling of needing a vacation from your vacation.73% of respondents are planning vacations to better their mental, physical, and emotional health this year–and 60% of Gen Zers and millennials surveyed say they go out of their way to book hotels that offer spa and wellness services.

From walking tours to a social media detox, there are so many ways to indulge in a little self-care throughout your trip.

Unlock your senses with a food-focused trip

Gone are the days of last-minute dinner plans while on vacation. Now, food-loving travelers are booking entire trips around a restaurant reservation or culinary experience.

Some 81% of respondents agree that trying local foods and cuisines is the part of traveling they look forward to the most and nearly half (47%) of Gen Z and millennial respondents say they planned an entire trip around visiting a specific restaurant. Don’t know where to start? Check out Resy’s city-by-city Hit Lists.

At the end of the day, the most important thing to remember is that it’s your vacation. Personalized travel gives people the freedom to be themselves and, often, do some more self-discovery while in new or unfamiliar places. It’s what turns a trip into a dream trip.

Audrey Hendley is the president of American Express Travel.

The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of Fortune.

More must-read commentary published by Fortune:

  • ‘The global economy is due for a reality check,’ warns the central banks‘ bank
  • The forced return to the office is the definition of insanity
  • The Supreme Court can end affirmative action–but it can’t reverse the course of history
  • True believers, profiteers, and curious creators: Meet the 5 schools of thought that dominate the A.I. debate
About the Author
By Audrey Hendley
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

Trump allies double down on efforts to reshape Federal Reserve
PoliticsFederal Reserve
Trump allies double down on efforts to reshape Federal Reserve
By Saleha Mohsin, Joshua Green and BloombergJuly 4, 2026
54 minutes ago
Ukrainian drones target more Russian oil infrastructure as fuel crisis adds political pressure on Putin, who shrugs off attacks as ‘not critical’
EnergyUkraine invasion
Ukrainian drones target more Russian oil infrastructure as fuel crisis adds political pressure on Putin, who shrugs off attacks as ‘not critical’
By The Associated PressJuly 4, 2026
1 hour ago
Costco CEO promises the $1.50 hot dog isn’t going away: ‘The price will not change as long as I’m around’
RetailCostco
Costco CEO promises the $1.50 hot dog isn’t going away: ‘The price will not change as long as I’m around’
By Sydney LakeJuly 4, 2026
2 hours ago
Older worker sad at laptop
SuccessGen X
A quarter of young baby boomers and Gen Xers who’ve been laid off in the last decade are still unemployed—and 11% have taken pay cuts to work
By Emma BurleighJuly 4, 2026
3 hours ago
usa
North Americahistory
Before independence, America tried — and failed — to conquer Canada
By Sarah M.S. Pearsall and The ConversationJuly 4, 2026
3 hours ago
The 1964 box set that predicted Dylan going electric — and still explains American music today
Arts & EntertainmentMusic
The 1964 box set that predicted Dylan going electric — and still explains American music today
By Ted Olson and The ConversationJuly 4, 2026
3 hours ago

Most Popular

Egg companies made $1.22 billion in profit off a $6 carton — now they’re buying their way out of a price-fixing case with 53 million donated eggs
Law
Egg companies made $1.22 billion in profit off a $6 carton — now they’re buying their way out of a price-fixing case with 53 million donated eggs
By Wyatte Grantham-Philips and The Associated PressJuly 2, 2026
2 days ago
Meet the Zillennials: The luckiest micro-generation in the workforce, born between 1993 and 1998
AI
Meet the Zillennials: The luckiest micro-generation in the workforce, born between 1993 and 1998
By Nick LichtenbergJuly 3, 2026
1 day ago
Even as Elon Musk calls philanthropy ‘very hard,’ every day Americans gave a record $617 billion—despite feeling the squeeze over the cost of living
Success
Even as Elon Musk calls philanthropy ‘very hard,’ every day Americans gave a record $617 billion—despite feeling the squeeze over the cost of living
By Preston ForeJuly 4, 2026
9 hours ago
Economists have found an answer to slowing cognitive decline: Avoid retiring early, study finds
Economy
Economists have found an answer to slowing cognitive decline: Avoid retiring early, study finds
By Sasha RogelbergJuly 2, 2026
2 days ago
$25 billion CEO says one-hour interviews are a waste of time—he puts candidates through six hours of tests and wants them to order wine at lunch
Success
$25 billion CEO says one-hour interviews are a waste of time—he puts candidates through six hours of tests and wants them to order wine at lunch
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJuly 3, 2026
1 day ago
On Wall Street, analysts increasingly don’t believe the U.S. government’s 'misleading' job numbers
Economy
On Wall Street, analysts increasingly don’t believe the U.S. government’s 'misleading' job numbers
By Jim EdwardsJuly 3, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.