WHAT MATTERS MOST TO GEN Z TRAVELLERS IN THE UAE

Dubai: Gen Z travellers in the UAE are redefining what it means to explore the world, placing cultural connection, personal purpose, and digital empowerment at the heart of their journeys.

New research from Wyndham Hotels & Resorts uncovers a decisive shift among the next generation: toward experience-first, value-driven travel, shaped by social media and powered by technology.

Nearly two-thirds (63%) prefer accommodation that reflects local culture, while 26% say platforms like Instagram and TikTok are their biggest travel influences. And as planning becomes increasingly self-directed, a striking 79% are already using or eager to use AI tools to help design their perfect getaway.

Gen Z isn't just travelling

“This generation isn’t just travelling, they’re curating journeys that reflect their values, their identity, and their aspirations,” said Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

“Gen Z wants to connect with something bigger than themselves, to travel with purpose, but they also expect the flexibility and convenience to make it all happen on their own terms. It’s a balancing act, but it’s one they’ve mastered with the help of social media and AI. For Gen Z, travel isn’t just about where you go - it’s about how it makes you feel."

Here's how Gen Z travellers are differently planning their itineraries in the UAE:

• Self-planned, socially influenced

  26% of UAE Gen Z respondents say social media is the most influential factor in how they plan and book travel, more than traditional ads, family, or travel agents. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become travel discovery tools, helping Gen Z shape where they go, how they go, and what they want to experience once there. To further their interest in self-planning their trips, 79% of UAE Gen Z respondents either already use AI tools or are keen to use them to plan or book their trips.

• Purpose-driven travel choices

  The top motivation for travel is to unwind and disconnect (32%), followed by a desire to explore new cultures and seek out adventure. These behaviours reflect a shift away from passive or conventional high-end tourism and toward immersive, experience-first travel that contributes to personal growth.

Women opt for international travel

54% of Gen Z women in the UAE travelled internationally in the last six months, compared to 34% of men. This trend reflects a growing sense of independence, mobility, and cultural engagement among young women in the region. Notably, more than half (51%) of female respondents said that safety and security risks are a key consideration when planning their travel, indicating that their choices are both adventurous and intentional. This reflects a generation that is confident in exploring, but conscious of the conditions that make them feel secure and supported while doing so.

Travel is a priority, not a privilege

The data challenges outdated assumptions that travel is reserved for the affluent. Gen Z in the UAE are demonstrating that they’re willing to cut back on material consumption to make space for travel, prioritising experiences that offer personal meaning and cultural connection over short-term indulgence. Even non-working students and earners in the AED 5,000–10,000 range reported international travel in the past six months. In fact, 41% of these respondents said they travelled abroad during this period, with another 25% combining domestic and international getaways.

This is a generation that’s choosing to save, plan, and invest in moments that matter, favouring flexible, culturally authentic travel over status-driven spending. They seek out loyalty programmes that deliver real value and make decisions based on connection, not consumption.

Staying local - culturally speaking

63% of Gen Z respondents in the UAE say they prefer accommodation that reflects the local culture, through design, food, or curated in-destination experiences. For this generation, travel is as much about understanding a place as it is about visiting it. They gravitate toward brands that feel rooted in the local community and hotels that reflect the identity of their surroundings.

Sustainability, conscious travel

The research also indicates that Gen Z in the UAE are thinking beyond personal fulfilment. Environmental awareness is increasingly shaping their travel choices, with a growing preference for destinations and properties that align with their values. More than half (55%) of Gen Z respondents say they actively choose sustainable transport options, and over a third (36%) seek out eco-friendly hotels.

2025-05-14T08:50:20Z