The 2024 Gen-Z Travel Index
It’s been revealed that Gen-Z are the most frequent travelers, making three leisure trips per year, on average.
70% of Gen-Zers have stated that sightseeing is their main priority when traveling, making it the most popular reason to visit a new location. This is then closely followed by ‘experiencing a new culture,’ with 68% of the Gen-Z population having this as their main priority.
But which destinations in the US and worldwide are the most recommended for Gen-Z to travel to?
The travel experts at Bounce have taken a deep dive into various factors, from the average price of a meal, drink, and hotel stay to the number of attractions, tours, and restaurants, to determine the locations that Gen-Z should be putting at the top of their travel bucket list.
USA
The top recommended US cities for Gen-Z tourists to visit
1. San Antonio, Texas - 7.91/10 travel score
At the top of the list is San Antonio, Texas, earning a travel score of 7.91/10. The city, known for its rich colonial heritage, has over 1,200 attractions and 113 tours for Gen-Z tourists. San Antonio is also very popular on social media, gathering almost 1.1 million posts on Instagram and 99,000 on TikTok.
A trip to a restaurant or bar in the city is also relatively affordable, costing just $18 (£14 or €17) for a meal and $5 (£4 or €5) for a domestic beer, on average. On a weekend, a hotel stay in San Antonio will cost around $201 (£161 or €188) per night.
2. Austin, Texas - 7.86/10 travel score
The city of Austin is closely behind, located in Texas, and has a travel score of 7.86/10. On average, it only costs around $20 (£16 or €19) for a meal and $6 (£5 or €6) for a domestic beer. Hotels can, however, be more on the expensive side, costing around $302 (£242 or €283) per night on a weekend.
Austin, Texas's state capital, is well-known for its live music scene, centering around country, blues, and rock. There are also nearly 3,200 attractions and 220 tours available throughout the city. Austin has been featured in over 4.5 million Instagram posts and 188,700 TikTok posts.
3. Dallas, Texas - 7.77/10 travel score
Making the third appearance for the state of Texas is Dallas, with a travel score of 7.77/10. The city, known as a modern metropolis, has been posted on Instagram over 2.9 million times and on TikTok over 215,500 times. Gen-Z tourists can visit over 1,100 attractions and participate in almost 150 tours.
A meal in a Dallas restaurant will cost around $20 (£16 or €19) per person, with a domestic beer costing around $5 (£4 or €5) on average. On a Friday or Saturday night, a hotel room will set Gen-Zers back around $172 (£138 or €161).
The safest US city for Gen-Z tourists to visit
1. Salt Lake City, Utah - 66.59/100 safety score
The safest city in the US for Gen-Z tourists to visit is Salt Lake City, located in Utah, and scores 66.59/100. The level of crime in the city is relatively low, meaning that people generally feel safer here. Crimes are infrequent in the city, meaning all tourists will be welcomed and kept safe.
The cheapest US city for Gen-Z tourists to enjoy a meal
1. Cincinnati, Ohio - $13 / £10.45 / €12.24 average price for a meal
Gen-Z tourists looking for cheap eats in the US should head to Cincinnati, Ohio, where it costs just $13 (£10 or €12) on average for a meal at a restaurant. Some of the highest-rated budget-friendly restaurants in the city include The Eagle Food and Beer Hall, Taste of Belgium, and Incline Public House.
The cheapest US city for Gen-Z tourists to enjoy a beer
1. Savannah, Georgia - $4 / £3.22 / €3.77 average price for a domestic beer
Gen-Z tourists wanting to sample a US-brewed beer should travel to Savannah, Georgia, where it costs just $4 (£3 or €4) per pint on average. Some of the most famous American beer brands include the likes of Blue Moon, Budweiser, Coors Light, and Samuel Adams.
The most Instagrammable US city for Gen-Z tourists
1. New York City, New York - 129,635,785 Instagram posts
Gen-Zers who love sharing their holiday snaps on Instagram should visit the city that never sleeps, New York. There are over 129.6 million posts of New York on the social media app, showcasing the city’s stunning skyline and most well-known attractions, like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty.
The most popular US city on TikTok among Gen-Z tourists
1. New York City, New York - 7,200,000 TikTok posts
Holiday vlogs are becoming increasingly popular on TikTok, and once again, New York is the most popular US city on the app, with over 7.2 million posts. The hashtag #newyork is filled with videos of street-style fashion, the hustle and bustle of Times Square, and the delicious food available in the city.
The cheapest US city for Gen-Z tourists to stay in
1. Jacksonville, Florida - $88.48 / £71 / €82.92 average hotel price per night
Gen-Z tourists who want a cheap hotel stay should travel to Jacksonville, Florida. On average, a hotel room in the city will cost around $88 (£71 or €83) per night on a Friday or Saturday. Some of the most popular hotels in Jacksonville include the Four Points by Sheraton, Hampton Inn & Suites, and Tru by Hilton.
The US city with the most attractions for Gen-Z tourists to experience
1. Charleston, South Carolina
- Number of attractions per 100,000 people - 563
- Total number of attractions - 881
Gen-Zers who want to visit various attractions should visit Charleston in South Carolina. There are over 880 attractions across the city, equaling 563 per 100,000 people. Some of the most popular places to visit include Joe Riley Waterfront Park, Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, and The Black Fedora Comedy Mystery Theatre.
The US city with the most restaurants for Gen-Z tourists to enjoy a meal
1. Orlando, Florida
- Number of restaurants per 100,000 people - 902
- Total number of restaurants - 2,927
Gen-Z tourists who want to experience a variety of cuisines should travel to the city of Orlando, Florida. There are over 2,900 restaurants in the city, totaling 902 restaurants per 100,000 people. Those who fancy treating themselves to some fine dining can visit the Michelin-star restaurants BACÁN and Victoria & Albert’s. Those who prefer budget-friendly eats can visit The Melting Pot of Orlando, HAVEN Kitchen, or Strong Water Tavern.
The US city with the most tours for Gen-Z tourists to experience
1. Honolulu, Hawaii
- Number of tours per 100,000 people - 279
- Total number of tours - 945
Honolulu is the perfect city for Gen-Z tourists to explore and experience a different culture. The city in Hawaii offers around 945 tours, equaling 279 tours per 100,000 people. There are many ways to explore Honolulu, including snorkeling adventures, island treks, and catamaran cruises.
The most-searched US city on Google among Gen-Z tourists
1. New York City, New York - 45,550,000 Google searches
The city of New York is ever-popular among tourists worldwide, and its popularity will not die down anytime soon. Over the past year, there have been over 45.5 million searches for the city on Google. This is over three times the amount of searches for Washington, D.C.
Worldwide
The top recommended worldwide cities for Gen-Z tourists to visit
1. Tokyo, Japan - 8.44/10 travel score
At the top of the list is Tokyo, Japan, earning a travel score of 8.44/10. The city, Japan’s capital, has over 14,000 attractions and 1,600 tours for Gen-Z tourists. Tokyo has featured in over 65.5 million Instagram posts and 2.2 million TikTok videos.
A trip to a restaurant or bar in the city is very affordable, costing around $6 (£5 or €6) for a meal and $3 (£3 or €3) for a domestic beer, on average. Hotels can, however, be more expensive, costing around $432 (£347 or €405) per night on a weekend.
2. Mumbai, India - 8.03/10 travel score
In second place is Mumbai, located in India, with a travel score of 8.03/10. On average, it only costs around $5 (£4 or €5) for a meal and $2 (£2 or €2) for a domestic beer. A hotel stay in Mumbai on a weekend will cost around $171 (£137 or €160) per night.
Mumbai, the largest city in India, is a financial center that is well-known for being the heart of the Bollywood film industry. There are also over 1,570 attractions and nearly 830 tours throughout the city. Mumbai has been featured in almost 72.5 million Instagram posts and over 2.3 million TikTok posts.
3. Bangkok, Thailand - 7.76/10 travel score
The third most recommended city for Gen-Z tourists is Bangkok, Thailand, with a travel score of 7.76/10. The city, Thailand's capital, has been posted on Instagram over 30.9 million times and on TikTok over 1.3 million times. Gen-Z tourists can visit over 4,000 attractions and take part in over 2,100 tours.
A meal in a Bangkok restaurant will cost around $3 (£2 or €3) per person, with a domestic beer costing around $2 (£2 or €2) on average. On a Friday or Saturday night, a hotel room will set Gen-Zers back around $176 (£141 or €165).
The safest city for Gen-Z tourists to visit
1. Kyoto, Japan - 85.26/100 safety score
The safest city for Gen-Z tourists to visit is Kyoto, which is located in Japan and scores 85.26/100. The level of crime in the city is very low, meaning that tourists don’t need to worry as much about being extra vigilant with their possessions and belongings.
The cheapest city for Gen-Z tourists to enjoy a meal
1. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - $1.98 / £1.59 / €1.86 average price for a meal
Gen-Z tourists looking for cheap eats should head to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where it costs only around $2 (£2 or €2) on average for a meal at a restaurant. Some of the highest-rated budget-friendly restaurants in the city include Banana Mama Rooftop & Kitchen, Saigon Café, and Viet Kitchen.
The cheapest city for Gen-Z tourists to enjoy a beer
1. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - $1.07 / £0.86 / €1.01 average price for a domestic beer
Gen-Z tourists wanting to sample a Vietnamese-brewed beer should also travel to Ho Chi Minh City, where it costs just $1.07 (£0.86 or €1.01) per pint on average. Some famous Vietnamese beer brands include 333, Bia Saigon, and Truc Bach.
The most Instagrammable city for Gen-Z tourists
1. London, United Kingdom - 164,404,644 Instagram posts
Gen-Zers who love sharing their holiday snaps on Instagram should visit the Big Smoke, London. There are over 164.4 million posts of London on the social media app, showcasing the city’s busy streets and most well-known attractions, like Big Ben and London Bridge.
The most popular city on TikTok among Gen-Z tourists
1. Dubai, United Arab Emirates - 29,200,000 TikTok posts
Dubai is the most popular city on TikTok, with over 29.2 million posts. The hashtag #dubai is filled with videos of extravagant weddings, lush landscapes, skyscrapers, and plenty of camel rides.
The cheapest city for Gen-Z tourists to stay in
1. Gdansk, Poland - $110.39 / £89 / €103.94 average hotel price per night
Gen-Z tourists wanting a cheap hotel stay should travel to Gdansk in Poland. On average, a hotel room in the city will cost around $110 (£89 or €104) per night on a Friday or Saturday. Some of the most popular hotels in Gdansk include the Radisson Hotel & Suites, Hampton by Hilton, and Apart Neptun.
The city with the most attractions for Gen-Z tourists to experience
1. Venice, Italy
- Number of attractions per 100,000 people - 4,072
- Total number of attractions - 2,089
Gen-Zers who want to visit various attractions should visit Venice in Italy. There are over 2,000 attractions across the city, equaling 4,072 per 100,000 people. Some of the most popular places to visit include Canal Grande, Doge’s Palace, and Basilica di San Marco.
The city with the most restaurants for Gen-Z tourists to enjoy a meal
1. Dublin, Ireland
- Number of restaurants per 100,000 people - 3,850
- Total number of restaurants - 2,222
Gen-Z tourists wanting to experience a variety of cuisines should travel to the city of Dublin in Ireland. There are over 2,200 restaurants in the city, totaling 3,850 restaurants per 100,000 people. Those who fancy treating themselves to some fine dining can visit the Michelin-star restaurants Chapter One by Mickael Viljanen and Dax Restaurant. Those who prefer budget-friendly eats can visit the likes of Ryleigh’s, Bloom Brasserie, and Balfes.
The city with the most tours for Gen-Z tourists to experience
1. Venice, Italy
- Number of tours per 100,000 people - 2,782
- Total number of tours - 1,427
Venice is also perfect for Gen-Z tourists to explore and experience a different culture. The city, built on over 100 islands, offers over 1,400 tours, equaling 2,782 per 100,000 people. There are many different ways to explore Venice, including gondola rides, food tastings, and simply walking.
The friendliest city for LGBTQ+ Gen-Z tourists to visit
1. Oslo, Norway - 88/100 LGBTQ+ friendliness score
Oslo, the capital of Norway, ranks as the friendliest city for LGBTQ+ travelers, scoring 88 out of 100 for LGBTQ+ friendliness. This score reflects the legal rights and public attitudes towards LGBTQ+ in the city and shows Oslo scores highly when tackling the legal status of 13 different LGBTQ+ issues (such as same-sex marriages) and has good public opinion towards these groups (recorded from surveys and polls).
The most-searched city on Google among Gen-Z tourists
1. Barcelona, Spain - 375,600,000 Google searches
Barcelona is the most searched-for city on this list, with over 375 million searches. This makes Barcelona one of the most popular cities on this list, as it attracts a lot of attention online from holidaymakers.
Cody Candee, CEO and Founder of Bounce, comments:
“According to one global survey, making memories during a trip was the main priority for Gen Z travelers. The best way to make memories is to select the best destination for your next holiday. The best cities to travel for Gen-Z in 2024 include three cities in Texas, USA. San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas are the top 3 cities for Gen-Z holidaymakers to visit in the US.
“The best cities worldwide include Tokyo, Japan, Mumbai, India, and Bangkok, Thailand. These cities cater to the postmodern values of Gen-Z, offering many events and cultural experiences without costing an arm and a leg. The best cities to visit for Gen-Z are typically good value for money, safe, popular among those on social media, and respecting modern lifestyles such as LGBTQ+.”
Methodology:
We used websites such as Omio and Cabin Zero to create a list of popular destinations for Gen-Z tourists, splitting them by the US and the rest of the world.
We used Numbeo to gather the figures for the following factors: safety rating /100, the average price of a meal, and the average price of a domestic beer.
We used Instagram and TikTok to gather the number of posts under each city’s hashtag. For the US, we used both the city and state (e.g. #alexandriavirginia) due to multiple cities in the US having the same or another meaning. This is except for New York and Washington D.C. due to having the same name as the state they are in. We used the city alone for the rest of the world (e.g. #amsterdam).
We used Kayak to gather the average price for a hotel room per night on Fridays and Saturdays.
We used Tripadvisor to gather the figures for the following factors: number of attractions, number of restaurants, and number of tours. We then normalized these figures per 100,000 people.
We used Equaldex to gather the LGBTQ+ friendliness score for the country that each city is in.
We used Google Keyword Planner to gather the number of searches for each city. For the US, we used both the city and state (e.g., “Alexandria, Virginia) due to multiple cities in the US having the same or another meaning. This is except for New York and Washington D.C. due to having the same name as the state they are in. For the rest of the world, we used the city alone (e.g. “Amsterdam”).
All population figures were sourced from World Population Review.
Any statistics mentioned were sourced from TravelPerk.
All data is correct as of 18 April 2024.