"I Love Traveling Without Spending My Own Money"... Gen Z Turns to Family Trips as Vacation Costs Soar

"No Need to Pay the Bill"... Generation Z Chooses Holidays with Parents
29% of Generation Z Say, "I Travel with Family to Save on Expenses"

As travel expenses grow, “family trips” with parents are regaining attention among Generation Z. In the past, young travelers preferred trips with peers or romantic partners, but as airfares and hotel prices have risen, they are now turning to family trips, where they can receive parental support or split costs.

Videos about family trips are gaining popularity on social media. Instagram capture

"No Need to Worry About Travel Expenses"... Family Trips Gain Popularity as Airfare and Accommodation Costs Soar

On August 18 (local time), Italy’s NSS Magazine reported that vacations with parents have become a new trend among Generation Z.

According to the publication, just about ten years ago, travelers could easily find low-cost flights and affordable destinations and accommodation. Back then, there was a perception among young travelers that going on vacation with parents was somewhat old-fashioned.

However, the rise in costs across the entire tourism sector has changed that perception. As accommodations become more upscale and both flight and lodging prices increase, it has become increasingly difficult for younger generations to cover travel costs on their own. Family trips with parents are now emerging as a practical alternative.

On social networking platforms such as TikTok, videos about vacations with parents are gaining popularity. Popular examples include young people happily stating, “I love all-inclusive vacations,” emphasizing that there’s no need to pay at restaurants, or parents joking to each other, “Why did you bring them along?” These videos humorously showcase young people enjoying holidays without worrying about expenses, thanks to parental support.

In fact, according to a report released last year by the global travel app Skyscanner, 33% of adult Generation Z members traveled with parents or grandparents over the past two years. For Millennials, 30% had experience traveling with both children and parents. Additionally, 29% of Generation Z respondents said their motivation for traveling with family was "to save or share travel expenses."

Interest in family trips is also rapidly increasing. From June 2024 to May of the previous year, the number of worldwide accommodation searches using the 'family' filter on Skyscanner surged 66% compared with the same period a year earlier. On Reddit, views of family travel-related posts increased by 387% in the year ending June last year, compared with the previous year.

The photo is not directly related to the specific content of the article. Photo by AFP Yonhap News.

Delayed Economic Independence Plays a Role... Generation Z Hampered by Living Costs and Housing Expenses

The background of this rise in family travel includes the economic hardships faced by Generation Z. According to global consulting firm Deloitte’s “2026 Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey,” in which 22,595 Millennials & Gen Z respondents from 44 countries participated, 55% of Generation Z disclosed that economic reasons had led them to postpone major life plans such as marriage, childbirth, further education, or starting a business. For the fifth consecutive year, living expenses were cited as the top concern for both Generation Z and Millennials & Gen Z.

High housing costs are another factor making economic independence difficult. 69% of Generation Z participants said that home prices or housing costs directly affect their choice of job or work location. As financial independence is increasingly delayed, the period of living with parents has grown longer, and there is a rise in experiences with parents not only in daily life but also during leisure time and travel.

NSS Magazine analyzed, “The growing trend of people in their 20s taking parent-supported vacations is more than just a social media fad. It is a result of the economic barriers that have built up over years, which are pushing young people farther away from achieving financial independence and making it harder for them to accumulate income and assets compared to previous generations.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.