A new wave of global travel is reshaping the 2025 tourism landscape, led by a powerful alliance of top destinations—United States, Mexico, France, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and Singapore. According to Tripadvisor’s latest Summer Travel Index, Gen Z and Millennial travelers are the driving force behind this surge, prioritizing immersive experiences, international exploration, and culturally enriching adventures over traditional vacations. With their strong preference for digital-first planning, personalized accommodations, and multi-activity itineraries, these younger generations are redefining travel behavior and boosting demand across both established hotspots and rising destinations worldwide.

Gen Z and Millennials Power a Record-Breaking Summer Travel Boom in 2025, Says Tripadvisor

As travel bounces back with renewed energy in 2025, Tripadvisor’s annual Summer Travel Index paints an optimistic picture of what promises to be one of the busiest travel seasons in recent memory. According to the index, sixty-three percent of travelers are brimming with enthusiasm as they prepare for their summer journeys—signaling a surge in both domestic and international travel.

Released in early June, the index analyzes millions of platform interactions along with consumer sentiment surveys, highlighting not only the most in-demand destinations but also evolving traveler behavior, preferences by generation, and booking trends. The findings point to a clear generational divide, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the charge and reshaping the future of travel.

Top Travel Picks for Summer 2025 Combine Timeless Favorites with Rising Star Destinations

The 2025 Summer Travel Index underscores a strong preference among U.S. travelers for a balanced vacation style—merging the vibrancy of urban adventures with the serenity of beachside escapes.

Among the most favored global destinations for Americans, tried-and-true favorites still reign:

Cancun, Mexico

Paris, France

London, United Kingdom

Domestically, key U.S. destinations continue to attract large numbers of summer travelers:

Las Vegas, Nevada

New York City, New York

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

While classic cities remain in demand, this year also welcomes new rising stars. Punta Sam in Mexico and Fort Walton Beach in Florida are emerging as top-trending destinations. Florida, in particular, sees four cities ranking in the top ten trending U.S. locations. At the same time, a growing number of Americans are seeking the peace of remote nature-based destinations like Big Sur, California, and Moran, Wyoming—reflecting a growing desire to reconnect with nature and explore off-the-beaten-path locales.

A Shift in Why and How Americans Travel

One of the most notable shifts in 2025 is the clear generational divide in travel behaviors. Gen Z and Millennials are thirty-eight percent more likely to travel—both within the U.S. and internationally—than their Gen X and Boomer peers. This younger demographic is not only more adventurous but also more likely to pursue immersive experiences that combine culture, nature, and exploration.

For most travelers, relaxation remains a top motivation, with fifty-one percent saying that rejuvenation is the primary purpose of their trip. However, younger travelers are significantly more inclined to embrace cultural exchange, outdoor adventures, and spontaneous experiences. This generational enthusiasm is reflected in how they book, where they go, and what they do once they arrive.

Experiences Over Everything: Travel Planning Prioritizes Activities

Modern travelers are not just planning where to go—they’re also planning what to do once they get there. A significant eighty-three percent of travelers say experiences and activities are a key part of their travel budget. Nearly ninety percent plan to engage in up to five activities during their trip, with younger generations going a step further: fourteen percent of Gen Z travelers book six or more experiences, compared to an average of nine percent among older travelers.

From cultural and themed tours to hiking, horseback riding, sailing, and water-based adventures, experiences are the heartbeat of 2025 travel planning. This shift signals a broader trend where memories and personal enrichment are valued more than ever.

Digital-First Planning Defines the Travel Experience

In today’s hyper-connected world, planning tools like Tripadvisor are becoming indispensable. Fifty-seven percent of travelers say they intend to book their activities in advance—highlighting a shift toward organized travel with room for flexibility.

Gen Z and Millennials, who are more likely to book online and plan ahead, report that seventy-one percent of them will pre-book their travel experiences—compared to just forty percent among older age groups. Social media also plays a significant role, particularly for younger travelers: fifty-one percent of Gen Z respondents say they rely on social media for in-trip recommendations, while Boomers prefer asking locals, with thirty-eight percent valuing face-to-face advice.

Where Travelers Sleep: Vacation Rentals vs. Hotels

Accommodation preferences also vary by generation. Gen Z and Millennials show a stronger preference for vacation rentals (thirty percent), while Gen X and Boomers still favor hotels (twenty-one percent). This trend further reflects the younger generation’s desire for personalized, authentic, and often budget-friendly lodging options that support local communities.

Methodology Behind the Insights

Tripadvisor’s Summer Travel Index combines insights from two core sources:

A consumer sentiment survey of over 2,800 respondents, conducted in partnership with Qualtrics between March 26 and April 8, 2025, across the U.S., U.K., Australia, France, Japan, and Singapore.

Tripadvisor analyzed internal user activity data from searches conducted between February 1 and April 10, 2025, focused on travel dates spanning June through August 2025.

Gen Z and Millennial travelers are fueling a powerful global travel surge in 2025, with destinations like the United States, Mexico, France, and beyond seeing record demand driven by a passion for cultural immersion, adventure, and experience-focused trips.

Conclusion: The Summer of Experience-Driven Exploration

With the 2025 travel season in full swing, travelers are booking more thoughtfully, choosing diverse destinations, and prioritizing meaningful experiences. The rise of younger generations as travel influencers is ushering in a new era—where planning is digital, experiences are personal, and travel is as much about inner discovery as it is about the destination itself. From Caribbean beaches to remote U.S. escapes, one thing is clear: summer 2025 is shaping up to be a season of inspired journeys.

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