Over 60s now more likely to fly than Gen-Z travellers
LOS ANGELES: Almost half of Gen-Z travellers aged 18 to 27 worry about the environmental impact of their holidays, compared with fewer than a third of over-60s, according to a new survey.
Research by YouGov found that only 31 per cent of baby boomers — those now aged between 60 and 70 — said they had worried about the impact of their travel on the environment and local communities. That figure drops to 26 per cent among those aged over 78.
Younger generations are far more likely to suffer from “eco-anxiety”. Forty-seven per cent of adult Gen-Zers — aged 18 to 27 — and 42 per cent of millennials, aged 28 to 41, said they had worried about the environmental effect of their travel.
The figures, which were commissioned by the Social Hub, a hotel and co-working business, highlighted the generational void between holidaymakers, showing that Gen Z and millennials were the age groups most likely to avoid flying.
The findings are consistent with those presented in The State of Student and Youth Travel in 2024, the latest annual report by Student Universe, the largest youth travel agency. It found that 13 per cent of students said they would not travel by plane because of the emissions and 21 per cent knew someone who refused to travel by air. Another 23 per cent said they were willing to pay an optional carbon offset fee when booking.
A growing number of travel companies are creating “no-fly” itineraries in response to the trend. Last year Byway, a no-fly tour operator, launched an Ibiza trip with First Choice aimed squarely at younger travellers.
The YouGov survey also found that 48 per cent of British Gen Z adults believe that a hotel’s environmental credentials are important, as do 43 per cent of millennials. This fell to only 32 per cent of Gen X and 32 per cent of baby boomers. However, only 20 per cent of all respondents said they would avoid booking a hotel if it had poor environmental credentials such as a high carbon footprint or lack of eco-friendly policies.
Amber Westerborg, director of sustainability and impact at The Social Hub, said the poll demonstrated the “rising significance of sustainable and responsible travel among younger generations”.
She said: “We know environmental and societal impact is important to people, but there is still work to do to convince travellers to close the intention gap between meaning to make a sustainable choice and taking it.
“Younger generations have grown up surrounded by debate on the impact our actions can have on the environment and other people, so it stands to reason they are more concerned about how their travel choices may affect the world they live in and the communities they visit.”