Gen Z is ready to venture beyond U.S. borders. In 2020, more than two in five traveled abroad, which was the highest share of all generations according to Phocuswright’s latest travel research report on this next iteration of young travelers Gen Z Travelers: A Breed of Their Own. The top destinations? Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. But they were also more likely than other generations to travel to farther-flung regions like Asia or South America.

Big cities remained the most popular destination type among Gen Z. Compared to all other generations, these young travelers were more likely to visit big cities (38%) and theme park destinations (23%), which typically cater to bigger crowds.

In terms of accommodations, 51% of Gen Z travelers who plan to take a 2021 leisure trip anticipate booking a hotel while 27% expect to book a short-term rental. This follows 2020 behavior data that showed 36% of Gen Z staying in a hotel compared to 30% in short-term rentals.

Understanding Gen Z’s unique spend patterns, planning preferences, travel interests and trip types allows companies to adapt their approach to this audience accordingly. Download the full report to understand these traits, and more about the next iteration of young travelers, who are products of a unique environment with distinct preferences and behaviors. The full report delves into Gen Z traveler patterns, inclinations, including how they plan their trips, where they go, and their attitudes towards pandemic-era travel.