Gen Z Travel Study Shows Lack in Booking Confidence

According to Gen Z, they don’t lack travel inspiration, they lack the confidence to book. So says a new study from Globe Thrivers, a social commerce travel platform founded by Zillenial Shir Ibgui. The company just completed a study of Gen Z travel habits.

© Globe Thrivers

“Gen Z isn’t short on travel ideas – they’re short on confidence to act on them,” said Shir Ibgui, CEO and founder, Globe Thrivers. “We built Globe Thrivers because the travel industry spent the last decade obsessed with discovery, when the real gap was always what comes after: turning a saved Reel into an actual booking. Creators have already earned Gen Z’s trust. Our job is to give that trust somewhere to go.”

The study found nearly 62 percent of Gen Z college students abandon or delay trips during the research phase. It’s not because they don’t want to travel, but they get stuck between all of the options and never make a final decision to book.

© Globe Thrivers

The study comprised nearly 400 students across Stanford, Syracuse and Brandeis universities and the findings show that while travel inspiration is at its most abundant, it’s actually making Gen Z less confident, not more. Coined “Booking FOMO” by Globe Thrivers, it’s the fear a better hotel, itinerary or deal is still out there, buried in someone’s saved Reels.

Other interesting figures show 53 percent hesitate because they’re not sure they’re choosing the best option, while 79 percent find planning across multiple platforms time-consuming. Trust remains an important factor, as well, with 87 percent open to creator-led travel recommendations only if they trust the creator.

Globe Thrivers serves the next generation of travelers by changing the way people plan and experience travel through the combination of authentic travel stories and cutting-edge AI technology. Globe Thrivers offers intuitive planning tools, access to expert travel agents and exclusive perks.