Young travelers are in search of nostalgia on their trips. That's according to young adult tour operator Contiki.
Contiki's annual Voice of a Generation survey found that 78% have re-created a childhood trip or want to do so. The survey polled 1,000 Americans ages 18 to 35 about their 2026 travel plans.
This is the poll's fifth year. Chief customer officer Toni Ambler said the survey helps Contiki understand the motivations of young travelers.
"This insight is invaluable for travel advisors, as it shows how the next generation is shaping the travel experience and allows travel professionals to guide their clients toward trips that truly match their priorities and exceed expectations," Ambler said.
A key trend that emerged from the survey was the desire for responsible travel. Sixty-nine percent said that they would either skip a bucket-list destination or find an alternative if it meant combating overtourism. Thirty-eight percent said they actively seek out sustainable travel, while 9% said they prioritize it above all else when planning a vacation.
Time and money were a focus of the questions, leading to the discovery that 54% of respondents would trade a pay raise for more vacation days. More than one-third say they already use or would consider using a "buy now, pay later" option for their trips.
And though this tech-savvy bunch said they frequently use ChatGPT, they weren't too keen on an AI tool planning their whole trip. Eighty-one percent of respondents said "no" or "maybe" to letting the technology book the vacation.
The survey underscored the prominence of solo travel, with 69% of respondents saying they either already travel alone or would love to in the future.