We have previously touched on crafting travel for Millenials and Gen-Z demographics and their travel preferences. Here we will explore crafting travel for the younger at heart of the two groups, namely 'Millennials'.
Millennials are passionate explorers and adventure seekers! When they ditch the daily grind ready for their yearly break, they want to embark on an unforgettable summer adventure.
This guide is your passport as an ITA if you specialize in this niche for curating unique experiences that will fuel their wanderlust and quench their thirst for exploration and adventure.
a) Forget the Tourist Traps: Embrace Authenticity
Millennials crave unique experiences that go beyond the typical tourist itinerary. They seek cultural immersion, off-the-beaten-path adventures, and a connection with the local vibe. Most are also passionate about the environment and eco-conscious.
Plan for them to skip the crowded landmarks and overpriced tourist traps, and delve into the heart of a destination.
Offer them options like volunteering at an animal sanctuary in Costa Rica, or learning to cook traditional paella in Valencia, or taking a street art tour in Berlin.
b) Adventure Awaits: Offer Them Challenges
Millennials are a generation that thrives on challenges and new experiences. Use your partnerships with DMCs and Tour Operators to plan options for them to push their limits and blaze new trails in travel.
You could plan for them to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, backpack through Southeast Asia, or offer coaching lessons to learn to surf the waves in Bali.
There's an adventure waiting for every millennial thrill-seeker, from white-water rafting in Costa Rica to spelunking in the cenotes of Mexico. As an ITA in this niche you know just where to source these travel gem experiences for them.
c) Festivals and Foodie Delights: Immerse in the Local Cultural Scenes
Millennials are all about connecting with the local culture and being on the go as much as possible even on holiday.
Research upcoming festivals where they can immerse themselves in the vibrant energy of local life. They will love dancing the night away at a music festival in Budapest, experiencing the colourful chaos of Holi in India, or joining a local food tour in Rome.
When it comes to food, millennials are also adventurous eaters, so avoid the chain restaurants and recommend they explore local street food stalls or unearth hidden gems recommended by your tour partners.
Offer them to take a cooking class in Thailand or savour fresh seafood at a beachside shack in Greece, or lounge at a beach bar for cocktails and snacks in Ibiza Spain.
d) They Travel Smart: Affordability and Sustainability
Budget travel is a must for many millennials and many have limitations so research what they want to spend before you begin planning. Consider cheaper alternative accommodation options like hostels, B&Bs, homestays, or house-sitting.
Many hostels also offer social events and activities, perfect for meeting fellow travellers so dig these out for them. Offer options to travel during the shoulder seasons to avoid peak crowds and score better deals on flights and accommodations.
Sustainability is also a priority for this eco-conscious generation. (*See a previous article on eco-conscious travel planning in this forum)
Choose eco-friendly travel options like bicycles, trains, trams, or buses whenever possible. Research tour guides and DMC companies that give back to local communities and minimize their environmental impact in your travel planning.
e) Capture and Sharing Their Journey: Documenting the Adventure.
Millennials are digital storytellers, with many having blogs and social media pages where they can capture their holiday adventures with stunning photos and videos.
Ask them for recommendations, and link backs to your business to others if they were delighted with what you planned for them in their holiday experiences
Tips to Recommend to Millennial Travellers:
They will always be passionate about embracing adventure, immersing themselves in new cultures, and documenting travel stories that will enrich their lives.
Millennials are passionate explorers and adventure seekers! When they ditch the daily grind ready for their yearly break, they want to embark on an unforgettable summer adventure.
This guide is your passport as an ITA if you specialize in this niche for curating unique experiences that will fuel their wanderlust and quench their thirst for exploration and adventure.
a) Forget the Tourist Traps: Embrace Authenticity
Millennials crave unique experiences that go beyond the typical tourist itinerary. They seek cultural immersion, off-the-beaten-path adventures, and a connection with the local vibe. Most are also passionate about the environment and eco-conscious.
Plan for them to skip the crowded landmarks and overpriced tourist traps, and delve into the heart of a destination.
Offer them options like volunteering at an animal sanctuary in Costa Rica, or learning to cook traditional paella in Valencia, or taking a street art tour in Berlin.
b) Adventure Awaits: Offer Them Challenges
Millennials are a generation that thrives on challenges and new experiences. Use your partnerships with DMCs and Tour Operators to plan options for them to push their limits and blaze new trails in travel.
You could plan for them to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, backpack through Southeast Asia, or offer coaching lessons to learn to surf the waves in Bali.
There's an adventure waiting for every millennial thrill-seeker, from white-water rafting in Costa Rica to spelunking in the cenotes of Mexico. As an ITA in this niche you know just where to source these travel gem experiences for them.
c) Festivals and Foodie Delights: Immerse in the Local Cultural Scenes
Millennials are all about connecting with the local culture and being on the go as much as possible even on holiday.
Research upcoming festivals where they can immerse themselves in the vibrant energy of local life. They will love dancing the night away at a music festival in Budapest, experiencing the colourful chaos of Holi in India, or joining a local food tour in Rome.
When it comes to food, millennials are also adventurous eaters, so avoid the chain restaurants and recommend they explore local street food stalls or unearth hidden gems recommended by your tour partners.
Offer them to take a cooking class in Thailand or savour fresh seafood at a beachside shack in Greece, or lounge at a beach bar for cocktails and snacks in Ibiza Spain.
d) They Travel Smart: Affordability and Sustainability
Budget travel is a must for many millennials and many have limitations so research what they want to spend before you begin planning. Consider cheaper alternative accommodation options like hostels, B&Bs, homestays, or house-sitting.
Many hostels also offer social events and activities, perfect for meeting fellow travellers so dig these out for them. Offer options to travel during the shoulder seasons to avoid peak crowds and score better deals on flights and accommodations.
Sustainability is also a priority for this eco-conscious generation. (*See a previous article on eco-conscious travel planning in this forum)
Choose eco-friendly travel options like bicycles, trains, trams, or buses whenever possible. Research tour guides and DMC companies that give back to local communities and minimize their environmental impact in your travel planning.
e) Capture and Sharing Their Journey: Documenting the Adventure.
Millennials are digital storytellers, with many having blogs and social media pages where they can capture their holiday adventures with stunning photos and videos.
Ask them for recommendations, and link backs to your business to others if they were delighted with what you planned for them in their holiday experiences
Tips to Recommend to Millennial Travellers:
- They Should Pack Light, and Explore More: They want to focus on experiences, not accumulating souvenirs or needless items along the way. Recommend they pack versatile clothing suitable for destination conditions that can be easily mixed and matched.
- Embrace Spontaneity: Millennials always have room for the unexpected and you can plan little gems they never expected. Some of the best travel memories for all of us are made on detours and unplanned adventures.
- Recommend They Connect with Fellow Travelers: Hostels, tours, and social media groups are great ways to meet like-minded adventurers and let them know if there are other millennial groups that they can meet on similar travel experiences you have planned.
- Go Beyond Their Comfort Zone: When planning travel for this group always give them challenges where they can embrace new experiences.
They will always be passionate about embracing adventure, immersing themselves in new cultures, and documenting travel stories that will enrich their lives.
