A recent study by Hotels.com highlights a significant shift in how younger professionals, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, perceive business travel. For these groups, work trips are not merely job requirements but opportunities to enhance their lifestyles. The Hotels.com Business Trip Report reveals that 85% of Gen Z and 88% of Millennials view business travel as a chance to upgrade their everyday experiences, from staying in better hotels to dining at top restaurants and earning travel rewards.
Travel Habits of Younger Generations
The survey, which included 2,000 U.S. adults who travel for work, shows that younger professionals are adept at maximizing the benefits of their work trips. A key finding is their willingness to invest personal funds to enhance their travel experiences. For instance, 73% of Gen Z and 77% of Millennials have paid out of pocket to upgrade their accommodations, compared to just 48% of older colleagues. This trend extends to flights and dining, with Gen Zers being twice as likely to pay for flight upgrades and splurge on high-end dining compared to older generations.
Social Media and Work Travel
Younger generations are also leveraging social media to document and share their work travel experiences. They post 3-5 times more per day than their older counterparts, with 75% willing to self-fund luxury dinners and entertainment to generate better content for their social feeds. This trend underscores the importance of social media presence for younger professionals, with 47% of Millennials stating they wouldn’t travel for work if they couldn’t document it, compared to 34% of Gen Zers.
Extending Work Trips for Leisure
The concept of “bleisure” travel, where business trips are extended for leisure purposes, is particularly appealing to younger travelers. Millennials are the most likely to arrive early or stay late, with 40% taking redeye flights to gain more personal time at their destinations. Additionally, 54% express a desire to extend work trips to explore solo. Popular destinations for these extended stays include Tokyo, Paris, and New York for Gen Zers and Millennials, while older generations prefer London.
Loyalty Programs and Travel Rewards
The Hotels.com study also highlights the role of loyalty programs in shaping travel decisions. About 58% of business travelers make choices based on maximizing rewards, with nearly half using these rewards for leisure travel. In response, Hotels.com has introduced the “Save Your Way” feature, allowing members to choose between immediate discounts or banking rewards for future use. This flexibility caters to the diverse priorities of different generations, ensuring that all travelers can benefit from the program.
Key Takeaways
The research underscores a generational shift in how business travel is perceived and utilized. For Gen Z and Millennials, work trips are not just about career advancement but also about personal enrichment and social engagement. As these younger generations continue to dominate the workforce, businesses and travel service providers may need to adapt their offerings to meet the evolving preferences of these travelers.
