Gen Z Travel Trends: What the New Generation Wants in Hospitality

Gen Z Travel Trends: What the New Generation Wants in Hospitality

By Author

Published on October 13, 2023

Ever wondered how hotels and travel spots are changing because of Gen Z? That’s folks born between the late '90s and early 2010s. Well, buckle up because we’re diving into that!

Gen Z is a cool bunch. They’re all about that tech life, love a good Insta moment, and are super conscious about the world and society. Unlike their predecessors, these youngsters are on the lookout for travel experiences that are unique, budget-friendly, and echo their digital lives.

So, what makes Gen Z tick? They are into authenticity, outdoorsy activities, local foods, and yes - good internet connectivity is a must! With their smartphones glued to their hands, they are reshaping the travel and hospitality industry, one tweet or TikTok at a time.

Hotels, listen up! To win over this crowd, you need a killer online presence. Gen Z lives on the internet, and your cool amenities won’t mean a thing if they can’t find you online. Also, let's not forget about those all-powerful online reviews. Gen Z trusts the word on the virtual street, so those star ratings? Golden.

And speaking of gold, let’s talk tech. A hotel that’s decked out with the latest technology is a Gen Z magnet. Think fast WiFi, smart keys, the works! And with the remote work trend booming, offering work-friendly spaces can be your golden ticket.

Oh, and let’s spill the tea on social media. Gen Z loves to share their life online, so making your hotel Instagram-worthy is a must. Storytelling, flexible meal timings, and personalised recommendations can also make your hotel a hit.

And because Gen Z is woke, sustainability is key. Eco-friendly initiatives aren’t just a plus, they’re expected. They want to see hotels making real moves to be green and socially responsible.

In a nutshell, if hotels play their cards right, adapting to the tech-savvy, socially aware, and always-online Gen Z isn’t just possible – it can be a game-changer. So, hoteliers, ready to make some waves in the Gen Z sea? Let’s get to it!


Tourism Minister Highlights Israel’s Safety and Diversity During India Visit

Tourism Minister Highlights Israel’s Safety and Diversity During India Visit

By Nishang Narayan

Published on February 6, 2025

Israel’s Minister of Tourism, Haim Katz, wrapped up a pivotal visit to India aimed at strengthening bilateral tourism ties and engaging with key industry players. The visit featured multi-city networking events, high-profile meetings, and Israel’s strong presence at OTM 2025, reinforcing Israel’s commitment to boosting tourism from India.

Strengthening Tourism & Air Connectivity

During his visit, Minister Katz met with India’s Minister of Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, to discuss enhancing cooperation between the two nations. They explored ways to leverage the deep historical and cultural connections shared by India and Israel.

The Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) delegation, including Ambassador Peleg Lewi, Foreign Affairs Advisor, and Hassan Madah, International Marketing Director, IMOT, also met with Air India CEO Campbell Wilson. The discussions focused on improving air connectivity and creating seamless travel opportunities for Indian tourists heading to Israel.

Israel at OTM 2025: A Grand Showcase

Israel made a strong impression at OTM 2025, one of India’s largest travel trade exhibitions, held at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Minister Katz inaugurated the event, addressing a distinguished audience of travel professionals, tourism stakeholders, and media representatives.

image

Speaking at the event, Minister Katz emphasized,
"India is a critical market for us, and we are committed to deepening our engagement with the Indian travel trade. With the launch of the e-Visa system and our continued presence at key exhibitions, we are confident of achieving new milestones in 2025."

Israel’s pavilion at OTM stood out, winning the Best Booth Decoration Award for its visually engaging and interactive showcase of the destination.

Exclusive Networking Events in Delhi & Mumbai

IMOT hosted exclusive networking evenings in Delhi and Mumbai, bringing together travel associations, industry leaders, and OTAs. These events facilitated discussions on collaborative strategies to position Israel as a preferred destination for Indian travelers.

image

"We witnessed a surge in the number of Indian travelers visiting Israel in 2024, which presents the right moment for us to promote the destination. We want to ensure that Israel is safe and welcoming to tourists. We urge Indian travelers to experience our country in a more holistic way," Minister Katz stated.

Tourism Growth & Air Connectivity Resumption

Despite geopolitical challenges, India remained a strong source market for Israel in 2024, with 9,600 Indian tourists visiting between January and December.

With the recent ceasefire announcement and Air India resuming flights to Israel from March 2025, tourist arrivals are expected to rise significantly. In total, Israel welcomed 961,700 global tourists in 2024.

e-Visa Launch for Indian Travelers

To make travel easier, Israel has launched a new e-Visa system for Indian tourists, particularly families and multi-generational travelers. This digital service simplifies the application process and integrates with Israel’s Entry Travel Authorization (ETA) system.

image

Indian travelers can apply through the official portal:

www.gov.il/en/departments/topics/eta-il/govil-landing-page

More information on e-visas: israel-entry.piba.gov.il

While group visa applications will continue via existing channels, the pilot phase is exclusively for Indian citizens, with plans for global expansion.

A Bright Future for India-Israel Tourism

Minister Katz’s visit reinforced Israel’s long-term vision for the Indian market. IMOT’s roadmap for 2025 includes:

✅ Trade & media outreach

✅ Participation in major trade shows

✅ Experiential events across India

✅ Promotions in tier-II cities

✅ Showcasing Israel as a year-round destination

With enhanced connectivity, a simplified visa process, and strategic marketing initiatives, India-Israel tourism is set to reach new heights in 2025.


Tourism Minister Highlights Israel’s Safety and Diversity During India Visit

Tourism Minister Highlights Israel’s Safety and Diversity During India Visit

By Nishang Narayan

Published on February 5, 2025

Israel’s Minister of Tourism, Haim Katz, wrapped up a pivotal visit to India aimed at strengthening bilateral tourism ties and engaging with key industry players. The visit featured multi-city networking events, high-profile meetings, and Israel’s strong presence at OTM 2025, reinforcing Israel’s commitment to boosting tourism from India.

Strengthening Tourism & Air Connectivity

image

During his visit, Minister Katz met with India’s Minister of Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, to discuss enhancing cooperation between the two nations. They explored ways to leverage the deep historical and cultural connections shared by India and Israel.

The Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) delegation, including Ambassador Peleg Lewi, Foreign Affairs Advisor, and Hassan Madah, International Marketing Director, IMOT, also met with Air India CEO Campbell Wilson. The discussions focused on improving air connectivity and creating seamless travel opportunities for Indian tourists heading to Israel.

Israel at OTM 2025: A Grand Showcase

Israel made a strong impression at OTM 2025, one of India’s largest travel trade exhibitions, held at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Minister Katz inaugurated the event, addressing a distinguished audience of travel professionals, tourism stakeholders, and media representatives.

Speaking at the event, Minister Katz emphasized,
"India is a critical market for us, and we are committed to deepening our engagement with the Indian travel trade. With the launch of the e-Visa system and our continued presence at key exhibitions, we are confident of achieving new milestones in 2025."

Israel’s pavilion at OTM stood out, winning the Best Booth Decoration Award for its visually engaging and interactive showcase of the destination.

image

Exclusive Networking Events in Delhi & Mumbai

IMOT hosted exclusive networking evenings in Delhi and Mumbai, bringing together travel associations, industry leaders, and OTAs. These events facilitated discussions on collaborative strategies to position Israel as a preferred destination for Indian travelers.

image

"We witnessed a surge in the number of Indian travelers visiting Israel in 2024, which presents the right moment for us to promote the destination. We want to ensure that Israel is safe and welcoming to tourists. We urge Indian travelers to experience our country in a more holistic way," Minister Katz stated.

Tourism Growth & Air Connectivity Resumption

Despite geopolitical challenges, India remained a strong source market for Israel in 2024, with 9,600 Indian tourists visiting between January and December.

image

With the recent ceasefire announcement and Air India resuming flights to Israel from March 2025, tourist arrivals are expected to rise significantly. In total, Israel welcomed 961,700 global tourists in 2024.

e-Visa Launch for Indian Travelers

To make travel easier, Israel has launched a new e-Visa system for Indian tourists, particularly families and multi-generational travelers. This digital service simplifies the application process and integrates with Israel’s Entry Travel Authorization (ETA) system.


Mahakumbh 2025: The Spiritual Spectacle Powering India's Tourism and Economy

Mahakumbh 2025: The Spiritual Spectacle Powering India's Tourism and Economy

By Nishang Narayan

Published on February 5, 2025

The Mahakumbh Mela 2025, currently underway in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, is the world’s largest spiritual congregation, deeply rooted in Hindu traditions. Beyond its religious and cultural significance, the Maha Kumbh is playing a pivotal role in driving India's spiritual tourism sector, attracting millions of visitors and generating substantial economic activity.

Authorities project that Mahakumbh 2025 will welcome over 400 million pilgrims, including a growing number of international visitors. By January 19, 2025, over 73 million people had already attended. In response to this unprecedented scale, the Uttar Pradesh government has allocated ₹7,500 crore for infrastructure upgrades, a sharp increase from the ₹4,200 crore spent in 2019. The event is expected to generate ₹2 lakh crore in direct revenue, with total transactions projected between ₹2–4 lakh crore, contributing over 1% to India’s GDP.

Economic Ripple Effects Across Sectors

The economic impact of the Maha Kumbh extends across multiple industries, particularly in travel, hospitality, and local businesses. With surging domestic and international travel bookings, airlines, railways, and private transport operators are witnessing unprecedented demand.

Gopal Krishna Agarwal, National Spokesperson of BJP for Economic Affairs, highlights the broader impact:

"Maha Kumbh's spiritual significance is attracting global attention, fostering greater interest in India as a travel destination. Besides its religious importance, Maha Kumbh serves as an economic catalyst, transforming various sectors of India. It's a massive economic and cultural phenomenon, generating multi-billion rupees worth of economic activity and empowering local businesses. In addition, the government's tireless efforts ensure Maha Kumbh creates a ripple effect on global interest in India's spiritual tourism potential. Further, initiatives like the Maitri Bodh Cultural Economic Summit align with this phenomenon, fostering collaboration between culture and economy, showcasing India's economic strength rooted in our heritage."

image

Hospitality Sector Sees Unprecedented Growth

The hospitality industry is a key beneficiary of the Maha Kumbh, with the event extending beyond Prayagraj into cities like Varanasi, Lucknow, and Kanpur, driving an increased demand for hotels, transport, and tourism services. Many visitors are extending their trips to explore historical and cultural sites, leading to a significant rise in bookings.

Ambika Saxena, CEO of TWH Hospitality, emphasizes this shift:

"Maha Kumbh is not just a spiritual gathering but a transformative economic force reshaping India's hospitality and tourism landscape. The unprecedented influx of domestic and international visitors is driving an unparalleled demand for accommodations, transport, and hospitality services, creating immense opportunities for innovation and investment. This event exemplifies how cultural heritage can be a powerful engine of economic growth, reinforcing India's position as a global tourism powerhouse. We see this as more than just an opportunity. It is a responsibility to elevate India's global standing and redefine the future of spiritual tourism."

Positioning India as a Global Spiritual Tourism Hub

Mahakumbh 2025 is a unifying force, seamlessly blending faith with commerce and driving long-term economic growth. The sheer scale of the event and the government’s investment in infrastructure reinforce India’s position as a leading destination for spiritual and cultural tourism. With millions of visitors and sustained global interest, the Maha Kumbh is set to further strengthen India’s status as a premier spiritual tourism hub, attracting both religious travelers and cultural enthusiasts for years to come.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.