In a significant shift, India’s youngest generation is now leading the charge in family travel planning, with their distinct preferences shaping the future of the travel industry. Hilton’s 2025 Trends Report reveals how Generation Alpha and Generation Z are reshaping travel and prioritising experiences that reflect their personal interests and cultural pride.
“The growing influence of Generation Alpha on family travel signals a transformative shift in the travel industry—one that Hilton is excited to embrace,” said Ben George, Senior Vice President and Commercial Director, Asia Pacific, Hilton. “As these trends accelerate, we recognise the importance of adapting to evolving preferences. Hilton is set to exceed 1,000 hotels in APAC by 2025, and we’re focused on creating new experiences to capture the imagination of this emerging generation and their families.”
Next-gen navigators: How young travellers are steering family travel
In Asia Pacific, family travel is increasingly guided by the preferences of Gen Alpha and Gen Z. In India, 93% of young travellers actively contribute to their family’s vacation planning. Moreover, 76% of Indian parents (compared to 70% globally) choose vacation destinations based on their children’s interests.
While these young travellers’ input is strong in picking activities and destinations, logistical decisions, such as transportation (44%), dining (40%), accommodation (32%), budgeting (28%), and trip duration (26%), are still primarily managed by parents. This growing involvement highlights the evolving dynamic of family travel with younger generations taking the lead in creating memorable experiences while still leaning on their families for practical planning.
Cultural pride: Indian families turning travel into growth experiences
For Gen Alpha and Gen Z in India, travel is a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. A strong connection to cultural heritage drives these young travellers, with 91% taking pride in India’s global cultural influence and 88% eager to explore their roots through travel.
Indian families use travel as a way to connect with their cultural identities. Notably, 79% of parents—above the global average of 65%—choose destinations that reflect their heritage, traditions, and values.
Beyond cultural exploration, 84% of young travellers in India view travel as a key to enhancing their education and personal development. Indian parents agree, with 72% (versus 63% globally) selecting culturally significant destinations to support their children’s learning and growth.
From sports to K-Pop: The key travel trends for Gen Alpha and Gen Z in 2025
For India’s Gen Alpha and Gen Z travellers, trips centred around entertainment, sports, adventure, and meaningful connections with loved ones are at the top of their agenda.
Sports events like the FIFA Club World Cup and Women’s ODI Cricket World Cup are the hottest tickets in 2025, with 47% of young travellers in India planning their trips around these events. This growing interest in sports tourism is also reflected in Hilton’s own data. From 2019 to 2024, Hilton Worldwide Sports Sales revenue tripled, with 80% of this growth driven by youth and amateur sports. For India’s Gen Alpha and Gen Z travellers, music concerts and festivals—particularly K-pop concerts—are also gaining popularity, accounting for 38% of this growth. Nature events and camps, such as cherry blossom festivals and ski trips (32%), also emerged as key travel draws for this generation.
Young and on the move: India’s Gen Alpha and Gen Z embrace annual travel
Gen Alpha and Gen Z across the Asia Pacific are avid travellers, with 92% taking at least one trip in the past year. In India, this enthusiasm is even more pronounced, with young travellers averaging two to three trips annually and 94% travelling at least once.
This passion for travel is evident in their future plans, with nine in 10 (90%) Gen Alpha and Gen Z in India likely to travel in the next year. Additionally, 87% take pride in their ability to explore new destinations. These findings highlight the strong and growing demand for travel among younger generations.
Digital nomads: The role of technology in Gen Alpha and Gen Z travel
In today’s digital age, technology is central to the travel experience for Gen Alpha and Gen Z. In India, parents and children stay online throughout their trips, spending up to four hours a day on their devices. Gen Z, in particular, spends more time online, averaging three hours daily, compared to Gen Alpha’s two hours.
Smartphones (67%), smartwatches (55%), and music players (46%) are travel essentials for these young adventurers, primarily being used to share their experiences on social media (67%), stream videos (60%), and listen to music (58%). Additionally, over half (54%) rely on their gadgets to stay in touch with loved ones via messaging apps.
These trends are consistent with Hilton’s team member survey findings, showing that access to technology is ranked as the top amenity for Gen Alpha travellers and their families, with entertainment and child-friendly activities also high on the list.
Domestic vs global travel: The travel preferences of India’s young explorers
Gen Alpha and Gen Z travellers in India are excited about exploring both local and international destinations. While they eagerly seek out India’s rich landscapes and cultural heritage, they also show a growing enthusiasm for global adventures.
This emerging generation is increasingly interested in travelling beyond Asia to immerse themselves in diverse cultures, while Gen Y still gravitates towards familiar Asian destinations for convenience and comfort.
| Top holiday destinations for families in India | |
| Gen Alpha and Gen Z | Millennial (Gen Y) |
| India (34%) | Japan (29%) |
| Singapore (28%) | India (28%) |
| America (22%) | Singapore (25%) |
| Australia (20%) | Maldives (21%) |
| United Kingdom (17%) | Malaysia (17%) |
“As Generation Alpha and Z step into the role of key influencers in family travel decisions, they are redefining the landscape of travel. Their evolving preferences are driving the industry to innovate, creating opportunities for more meaningful, immersive, and culturally enriching experiences that align with their values,” said Alexandra Jaritz, Senior Vice President of Brand Management, Asia Pacific, Hilton.
“This shift is not just about the destinations they choose, but how they interact with and experience the world. At Hilton, we’re focused on aligning our strategy to meet these expectations, offering brands and experiences that inspire and enhance their journeys.”
Hilton’s 2025 trends report: Key insights for 2025 and beyond
These insights were commissioned as part of research for Hilton’s 2025 Trends Report, dubbed the ‘Year of the Travel Maximiser’, revealing how travellers are seeking to blend relaxation with impactful adventures. As the post-pandemic travel boom stabilises, Hilton’s comprehensive survey of over 13,000 global travellers across 13 countries, insights from more than 4,100 Hilton team members and in-depth interviews with Hilton travel experts highlight several additional trends:
- Slow travel gains popularity: With fast-paced lives, travellers are embracing Slow Travel to deeply immerse themselves in local cultures. One in four global travellers seeks cultural learning experiences, and 65% of those who travel with children (79% in India) often explore their family’s heritage through travel.
- Adventure-seeking ‘Go Getaways’ take on sleep retreats: While nearly 7 in 10 global travellers (80% in India) enjoy being active during their travels, with 20% planning outdoor adventures in 2025, there is also a growing trend towards relaxation and rejuvenation. In fact, one in five global travellers (44% in India) embraces the art of hurkle-durkling, a Scottish phrase for lying in, during their vacations. Additionally, more than a quarter of travellers are expected to book a spa or wellness treatment specifically aimed at enhancing their sleep quality.
- Dining decisions led by young palates: Globally, 63% of parents (75% in India) let their children pick restaurants while travelling, reflecting Gen Alpha’s evolving taste preferences from pizza to sashimi.
