A new generation of Asian Travelers – The ‘GenerAsian’ traveller

As Hilton releases its 2024 Trends Report, the leading global hospitality company has discovered an emerging generation of Asian travelers who are pursuing travel that will enable them to better understand their identity. Dubbed as the ‘GenerAsian traveler’ are Asians who are inspired by self-discovery and have a desire for a deeper understanding of their own cultural and ancestral heritage through travel.

In a global survey conducted in collaboration with Ipsos, a resounding chorus of travelers across the Asia Pacific region have expressed a growing confidence for self-exploration. In fact, a staggering 83% of respondents reported they feel proud about the rising popularity of their country of origin as a coveted travel destination, with 84% feeling honored about the international popularity and appreciation of Asian food, design, and culture.

This shift in global taste can be attributed to globalization¹, where international audiences now have better accessibility and insight into Asia through pop culture and social media. Alongside this, the region has seen much greater representation in entertainment, food and beverage, and other industries – from top-grossing Hollywood films, to restaurants around the region receiving internationally renowned recognition.

“We’re constantly monitoring the travel preferences of different generations to create tailored experiences that cater to their unique needs and desires. Fueled by a sense of pride that Asian food, design, and culture are gaining popularity globally, we know this will hold even greater significance and interest for travelers in the upcoming year,” Ben George, senior vice president and commercial director, Asia Pacific, Hilton commented.

“In fact, our research found that 77% of APAC travelers are seeking to better understand their own heritage through travel, with 75% looking to learn more about other Asian cultures. We believe that the heart of a great trip is a great stay, and so we remain committed to delivering innovative solutions to ensure our guests can fully immerse themselves in both our hotels and their communities,” he added.

Access to Local, Gastronomic Experiences are a Priority for Asians

Priorities differ among travelers when it comes to selecting their accommodation. For some, convenience might be key, but for others, price point remains at top of mind. In line with their travel motivations, Asian consumers are more likely than travelers from other countries surveyed to book their accommodations based on access to unique local experiences. A substantially higher proportion of respondents from China (81%), India (77%) and Singapore (70%) indicated that they always or often do so, compared to the 65% average across all countries surveyed in Hilton’s global study².

When it comes to the types of experiences Asian travelers seek during their trips, 88% of respondents unequivocally ranked exploring local and traditional food and beverage as the most important to them. A strong majority (84%) also indicated a desire to deepen their understanding of the local history and heritage of the destination they travel to, and connect with the local community when they travel (78%) – suggesting a reassuring desire for more authentic travel experiences³.

Food and beverage also showed as a unifying passion point across Asian respondents in Hilton’s 2024 Trends Report survey, with respondents across China, India, Japan, and Singapore all ranking culinary experiences as the top budget priority for their travel plans next year. In contrast, exploring and adventure experiences as well as indulgence or pampering emerged as the top budget priority in the majority of the other markets surveyed⁴.

To ensure they are able to prioritize travel in the coming year, a higher percentage of consumers in Asian countries are reducing spending on other areas of their life compared to other markets surveyed (82% India, 74% China, and 74% Singapore versus 64% global). Considerably more travelers from China (85%), India (81%) and Singapore (73%) are also inclined to spend more on travel in 2024 than they did in 2023, compared to the global average of 65%⁵.

“At Hilton, we’ve noticed a rising interest in self-discovery and the desire for an even deeper understanding of one’s heritage, and this will be an even more important consideration for travelers in 2024. Interestingly, 71% of all Asia Pacific respondents reported they will prioritize traveling in the next 12 months, supporting this notion of the GenerAsian traveler and their passion to explore,” said Alexandra Jaritz, senior vice president, Brand Management, Asia Pacific, Hilton.

“From our ongoing brand innovation and dining experiences to our world-renowned hospitality, Hilton will enable guests to completely connect and immerse themselves in the destinations they chose to travel,” she added.

Understanding Generational Differences in Global Travelers’ Expectations

These insights were commissioned as part of research for Hilton’s 2024 Trends Report, which sought to uncover the profile of the 2024 traveler, while also zooming in to understand what the desires and preferences will be for the different generations. Following a global survey of more than 10,000 travelers from nine countries, and in-depth interviews with dozens of Hilton travel experts, the report uncovers four themes expected to be the catalysts of change and innovation for travel in 2024 and beyond:

1. Travelers Will Invest in Their Sleep: Gen Zs are the most intentional about winding down, with 21% regulating their workout routine, and 25% avoiding alcohol before bedtime. In Asia Pacific, respondents ranked listening to music or podcasts (33%) and choosing a trusted hotel brand with consistent mattress quality (27%) as their top sleep considerations.
2. Travelers Will Value Connectivity and Personalization: 80% of global travelers and 83% in Asia Pacific surveyed said it’s important to be able to book their trip entirely online, with 86% of Millennials and 83% of Gen Zs leading the charge.
3. Culture and Experiences Will Drive Leisure Travel Decisions: Across generations globally and in the Asia Pacific region, travelers’ top focus is on culinary (49%) as well as exploration and adventure experiences (47%). Gen Xs (48%) and Baby Boomers (45%) are the most passionate about their dining budget plans, while Gen Zs and Millennials (52% for both) are carving out more budget for exploration and adventure experiences than other generations.
4. Business Travel Trends Will Redefine Expectations: More than a third of Gen Z and Millennial business travelers say they plan to extend a business trip to enjoy leisure time before or after their work obligations, and 24% of global business travelers plan to take a friend or family member with them on a business trip next year.