Travelling and seeing the world is the most important investment for the ages 16-24 Generation Z, according to research by Booking.com.
The research was conducted online from May 1-16 among a sample size of 5,456 respondents ages 16-24 in 29 countries, including Thailand.
The Gen Zers prioritise travelling more than settling down. Almost two-thirds (65%) think they want to spend their money on travel, followed by an investment in higher education/professional training (60%) and saving for a down payment for a house or a property (60%), saving for retirement (51%), spending money on experiences or products that are environmentally friendly (46%), saving for a wedding or civil partnership (42%) and buying new tech, clothes or fashion accessories (33%).
It found that 56% want an adventure experience from their travels, such as paragliding or bungee jumping while 52% plan on visiting or trekking to an extreme location. Thirty-nine percent plan to visit at least three different continents over the next 10 years and 30% also hope this decade will see them study or live in a different country.
Within the next decade, 34% plan to travel on their own at least once. About 69% already had a travel bucket list of things to do or see before they die while 32% plan to have checked at least five epic trips off their bucket list in the next 10 years.
Almost half (45%) said they trust the recommendations of those they don't know in person such as influencers and celebrities while 40% find Instagram the top source of inspiration when deciding where to go.
For the environmental impact and tourism, more than half (54%) state that the environmental impact is an important factor to decide where to travel. About 60% look forward to using more environmentally friendly means of transport once they have arrived at the destination while 56% want to stay in a green or eco-friendly accommodation.
Visit destinationgenz.com.
Grab arrives in Trang
Grab has launched its ride-hailing service in Trang. The service is JustGrab, a fixed-fare and on-demand service where passengers can choose either a taxi or a car. At present, JustGrab is available in 20 cities in 18 provinces, including Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Khon Kaen. To celebrate the launch in Trang, passengers can book JustGrab service by using the promo code "GRABTRANG" to receive 50 baht discount per ride, up to a maximum of four rides, from today to July 31.
AIRLINES UPDATE
- American Airlines has code-shared with Cathay Dragon, a subsidiary of Cathay Pacific Group, to expand its service in Southeast Asia. The agreement will enable American Airlines to facilitate its customers to connect to four new cities from Hong Kong. The destinations are Chiang Mai, Phuket, Da Nang in Vietnam and Dhaka in Bangladesh.
Visit www.aa.com.
- Thai AirAsia X has taken its inaugural flight from Don Mueang airport to Brisbane in Queensland, Australia. The service is available four times a week. The flight departs from Bangkok at 11.40pm to arrive at 11.34am (+1Day) in Brisbane. The returning flight departs Queensland at 12.50am and will arrive Bangkok at 7.10pm. The travel time is about night hours.
Visit airasia.com
HOTEL DEALS & UPDATE
- Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok introduces the Picture Perfect with Leica package.
The offer includes a minimum stay for two nights, daily breakfast for two, a Leica Sofort instant film camera with an instant film double pack (20 exposures), a two-hour walking photography tour with Leica Akademie manager and senior instructor Kristian Dowling. There will also be a limousine transfer to and from the walking tour, and a private gallery tour at the Leica Gallery Bangkok in Gaysorn Village with an exhibition specialist.
The package is priced from 33,000++ baht and valid until Dec 15.
Visit www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok.
- Pullman Pattaya Hotel G launches a special offer from the coming Mother's Day.
The price is at 4,000 baht net for a night stay in a Deluxe Room (38m²) with international buffet breakfast and 60-minutes aromatherapy massage for two. The promotion is valid until Aug 11 for a stay between Aug 9-12.
Visit pullmanpattayahotelg.com/mothers-day-promotion.
- Small Luxury Hotels of the World has welcomed Twinpalms MontAzure on Kamala Beach in Phuket as its new member.
Opened last month, the property features 46 rooms, including private pool suites ranging in size from 70m² to 300m², two swimming pools, beachfront restaurant and fitness centre. The hotel also implements no single-use plastic policy and replaces the plastic items with bamboo, ceramic and recycled paper. To celebrate the opening, Twinpalms MontAzure offers the Grand Opening deals with options of stay three nights pay for two nights or stay six nights pay for three nights.
Visit twinpalmshotelsresorts.com/twinpalms-montazure.
Email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th if you have any comments to share.
