Hostelworld unveils its 'Evolution of the Hostel Traveller' Report

A Global Deep Dive into Generational Travel Trends

  • 'Tried and tested routes' are declining in popularity for Gen Z by 33%
  • The top three destinations for future Gen Z travellers are Jamaica, Iceland and Fiji
  • Women are going on more extended international trips than men, with American women leading the charge
  • The majority of hostel travellers are now employed young adults taking planned holidays, rather than students
  • Over four in five (81%) recent travellers who went on extended trips chose to stay in hostels

LONDON - June 12, 2019- Today, Hostelworld, the world's leading hostel-focussed online booking platform, unveils its 'Evolution of the Hostel Traveller' report showcasing how the budget-conscious, international travellers (also known as backpackers) and their journey has changed from generation to generation and how it will continue to evolve in the future.

The global report, which surveyed over 5,000 people from different generations across the USA, UK, Australia, France, Germany, India and Brazil, reveals Gen Z'ers (individuals between 16-21 years old) are looking to explore beyond the traditional routes with a 33% decline in trips planned to 'tried and tested' destinations when compared to Gen Y (ages 18-39) or past travellers (ages 40+).

Top destinations by generation

Latin America proved to be the most desired extended trip destination for Millennial and Gen Z travellers. Whilst Europe captured the hearts of past jetsetters, Central America has created a newfound appetite for adventure, with a 61% increase in travellers heading there today. For Gen Z, South America is top of their list, as one in five (20%) surveyed intend to visit South America in the next three years.

According to the report, the countries with the highest growth in desire to visit for Gen Z travellers (by % growth in comparison to Millennial travellers) are:

  1. Jamaica - 67% increase
  2. Iceland - 50% increase
  3. Fiji - 50% increase
  4. Romania - 50% increase
  5. Chile - 50% increase
  6. Brazil - 44% increase
  7. Norway - 44% increase
  8. Greece - 43% increase
  9. Paraguay - 33% increase
  10. Colombia - 33% increase

Asia continues to reign supreme for Millennial travellers, with Eastern Asian countries taking the two top spots for the most growth as a travel destination for this generation of travellers. The top three countries increasing in popularity for Millennials (by % growth) are:

  1. South Korea - 276% increase
  2. Japan - 151% increase
  3. Cuba - 135% increase

Female solo travel isn't slowing down

The secret is out… female wanderlusters are seeing and experiencing more of the world. The new report reveals three-quarters (75%) of women across the world have gone on or are planning solo travel trips,

compared to only two-thirds (67%) of men. Hostelworld's own booking data reflects this trend with bookings made by solo female travellers increasing by 88% over the past four years.

In the United States, the disparity between women and men is the most apparent. In fact, 45% more women are going on extended hostel trips than men today (53% of women have recently travelled, compared to just 37% of men). Not only that, but it seems American women are leading the charge globally as the nationality making the most solo travel bookings with 20% made by American women, followed by Germany (11%), UK (10%), Australia (8%) and Canada (7%).

Future female travellers' top 5 destinations (by % growth) are:

  1. Brazil - 75% increase
  2. Iceland - 67% increase
  3. Chile - 67% increase
  4. Fiji - 67% increase
  5. Norway - 67% increase

You can read more about why women solo travel here.

Where they are staying once they get there

The report findings reveal that over four in five (81%) recent travellers who went on extended trips of three weeks or more, visiting multiple destinations, chose to stay in hostels above hotels.

In the past, hostels held the reputation of being an easy and cheap solution for those traveling on a tight budget. However, a lot has changed since then, and don't Gen Z know it! The future travellers want to meet new people from all over the world, with almost a fifth (19%) ranking social space as the most important consideration when choosing where to stay - an area where hostels excel. Another strong appeal factor that's seen a steady increase throughout the generations is the free activities hostels offer their guests. From free beach yoga to local cooking classes, the importance of free social experiences in hostels has increased by 19% for today's backpackers, as almost one in five (19%) say they're attracted to hostels offering these, over those that don't.

In addition to social space and free activities, travellers want unique accommodation, not just your standard hotel décor but something a bit different. In fact, hostel décor is becoming an increasingly important factor to where millennial travellers choose to book (44% increase).

The changing demographic of hostel travellers

Another notable shift highlighted in the report is the switch from the majority of hostel-goers traveling during a Gap Year, to fitting in their adventures in planned breaks from work or university.

According to the study, there is a global increase of 57% amongst Gen Z travellers planning shorter trips during their university breaks, rather than taking a full year off. With these new 'off the beaten track' destinations on Gen Z's travel list, it's not surprising that a young professional's budget may be required.

"Our Evolution of the Hostel Traveller report shows how much hostelling has changed in the 20 years that we've been operating as the world's leading hostel-focused online booking platform." Said Gary Morrison, CEO, at Hostelworld. "This is only the beginning of what's to come. Today we're seeing a booming hostel industry, as global demand to explore the world and connect with new cultures continues to rise.

Travellers are evolving, and so are the hostels where they're staying, which is why I am excited to see what the next 20 years will bring."

Find the full 'Evolution of the Hostel Traveler' report here.

ENDS

Notes to editors

For more information, please contact hostelworld@hotwireglobal.com.

About Hostelworld

Hostelworld, the largest hostel-focused booking platform, inspires passionate travellers to see the world, meet new people and come back with extraordinary stories to tell. Hostelworld customers are not your average tourists; they crave unique experiences that Hostelworld facilitates with the best choice of hostels around the world. It's the social nature of hostels that turbo-charges their global adventures and empowers them to Meet the World. 

Hostelworld has more than 11.5 million reviews across 16,500 hostels in more than 179 countries, making the brand the leading online hub for social travel. The website and mobile app operate in 19 different languages.  

The Hostelworld Group went public in November 2015, listing on the main London and Dublin stock exchanges. Headquartered in Dublin, Hostelworld has offices around the world in London, Shanghai, Sydney and Porto.

About the research:Hostelworld worked with Censuswide to survey over 5,000 people aged 16 and over across the USA, UK, Australia, France, Germany, India and Brazil.See below for background on breakdown of generation sample groups:

  1. Past= People aged 40+, who have been backpacking, i.e. a multi-destination trip for 3 weeks or more and stayed in hostels/backpacker's shared room accommodation,
    when they were between the ages of 18 and 25
    oPresent= People aged 18-39, who went backpacking, i.e. a multi-destination trip for 3 weeks or more and stayed in hostels/backpacker's shared room accommodation within the last 2 years
    oFuture= People aged 16-21, who are planning to go backpacking, i.e. a multi-destination trip for 3 weeks or more, and planning to stay in hostels/backpacker's shared room accommodation, in the next 3 years

Hostelworld Group booking data is from April 2019 reflecting the previous 12 months

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Hostelworld Group plc published this content on 12 June 2019 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 12 June 2019 07:13:01 UTC