Millennials and travel: the favorite destinations are technological, sustainable and never banal

Caware, attentive to the environment, to culture, with the desire to immerse themselves in local realities, inclined to use social media and always looking for unexpected destinations. They are the Millennials. Born and raised with the advent of the Internet, they are less fascinated by the mobile phone than digital natives.

In short, «thirties have clear ideas, strong tastes, and with their passion for travel they are reshaping tourism supply and demand» writes Eran Ketter, one of the most important researchers worldwide in the field of media strategies for tourism marketing. They are the generation of the euro and of European citizenship, but also the one that pays more than any other for the economic and social consequences of the crisis.

Because of this they optimize time and look for guarantees, turning (like the Boomers) to travel agencies for unconventional experiences. According to Astoi-Confindustria Viaggi, they are among the most important targets for tour operators, their consumption accounts for approximately 40 percent of total volumes. Living a meaningful and happy life for Millennials means creating memories through real experiences. They often combine work and leisure to find travel solutions in line with their budget.

There New Zeland it is a destination that responds well to hybrid travel modes between work and holiday, and digital nomads also like it. «It is a welcoming, inclusive, well-organized country that has always been attentive to ecology, where everything works» says Anna Clerici (26 years old), hotel manager. «Even moving away from the cities, the connection is always perfect for working online, even in super-equipped and economical campsites». New Zealand can be explored by camper, most loved by Europeans, in caravans/caravans, cheaper and local, in tents and buses, without difficulty. The best of the old and new worlds meet here together with a high social and environmental sensitivity.

By train, coast to coast

In New Zealand, in the South Island, it’s sensational cross the Southern Alps aboard the TranzAlpine Railway (greatjourneysnz.com), a scenic journey from the Pacific Ocean to the Tasman Sea in less than five hours, over a rugged mountain range. Among the symbolic places where you can meet Millennials from every corner of the globe: the beach of Lake Wanaka, in front of the Wanaka Tree, which emerges from the water 30 meters from the shore; in the background is the Aspiring Mountains National Park, now a World Heritage Site.

Or at 129 Gloucester Street in Christchurch, where people dance freely outdoors like in a disco, using their own bluetooth playlist from the Dance Mat, a converted washing machine that powers four speakers and psychedelic lights. (With Go Australia goaustralia.it the 13 day and 12 night trip with guide, stops in Auckland, Christchurch, Franz Josef Glacier, Lake Takapo, MilfordSound, Punakaiki, Rotorua and Wanaka, from 3374 euros, excluding air flights).

A photo safari by the sea

Among the less obvious destinations for natural environments without crowds or worldliness, and above all for traveling responsibly, there is the Mozambique, a somewhat forgotten country, «but perfect for experiencing Africa in freedom. A place where you immerse yourself in suggestive and different scenarios” claims Marianna Stori (35 years old), project manager. Less touristy than other neighboring countries, it allows you to experience exuberant nature.

A few hours’ drive from Maputo, the capital, is the Maputo National Park (parquemaputo.gov.mz), a coastal park, a sort of wildlife corridor in contact with other protected areas of neighboring countries, between savannah and sand dunes. More than big cats (leopards and lions), here you can see elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, impalas and wildebeests, and from the beach, in season, whales.

Staying at the Ponta Membene lodge (membene.co.mz), made with certified sustainable wood (not coming from deforestation), with the payment of services and entrance fees the process of reconstitution and conservation of these areas is supported. Here you go from relaxing on the beach to 4×4 safaris on dirt roads without ever encountering other off-road vehicles.

Then we fly towards the decadent charm of Ilha de Moçambiquefor centuries one of the main commercial outposts on the route to the Indies, a World Heritage Site since 1991. The colonial atmosphere and the mix of traditional architecturewith Arabic and Indian influences, attracts those seeking authentic contact with the locals.

Maputo, a colonial city, is also interesting with colorful markets where Seventies and Art Deco architecture coexist with the vertical developments of the last twenty years, full of young people and rich in music, especially at the Franco-Moçambican Cultural Center (ccfmoz.com) or the very central Nucleo de Arte. (With GMC you travel 10 days in Mozambique with stops in Maputo, the Parque Nacional de Maputo and Ilha de Moçambique, with international flights, hotels and car rental, from 3,500 euros per person, excluding internal flights).

Timeless Jap

Since the post-pandemic, the passion for Japan has not died down. From community data Weroad and second Airbnb it is a trending destination globally. Noemi Pelagalli (35 years old), author of Kokoro. Japan between pop and disenchantmentjust released by the Corbaccio people, and the profile instagram@cookingwiththehamstera true reference for lovers of oriental cultures.

«In the land of the Rising Sun, our generation searches for memories of childhood and adolescence: manga and anime (Japanese cartoons) set in neighborhoods such as Tokyo Tower, in the capital, and Gion, the Geisha area, in Kyoto” explains Pelagalli. Great Japanese attractions are sushi cuisine, ramen, yakitori (grilled skewers) – and the age-old culture. Thus emerges the desire to experiment with Japanese tradition.

I always like wearing a kimonoto try near the temples by renting clothes in the small shops nearby or the macha tea ritual in the Arashiyama district, in Kyoto, famous for the bamboo forest or in Okochi Denjiro’s villafamous actor of the last century. A great opportunity to go is Hanami 2024, the cherry blossoms. (With the Globe the 10-day tour with stops in Tokyo, Kaga Onsen, Osaka, Hiroshima and Kyoto costs 4450 with flight from Rome and flight Osaka-Tokyo).

Mnesic variety

«The desire for cultural-exotic travel», says Francesca Selleri (34 years old), marketing manager, «makes us appreciate Mexico for its variety: cities, jungle, sea, spectacular archaeological sites, culture, art. On the ocean coast, the Chacahua Lagoon is surprising, an excellent destination for beginner surfers, the city of Oaxaca is fascinating, with art galleries, slightly hipster clubs, beautiful craftsmanship and the home of mezcal (agave distillate), and the overwhelming Mexico City, in constant excitement but with a stop not to be missed: the National Museum of Anthropologythe “Louvre of Mesoamerica”».

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