ibis Unveils Gen Z & Millennial Travel Trends in 2025

ibis Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Global Campaign, Highlights Travel Trends for Gen Z & Millennials in 2025

By Nishang Narayan

Published on September 22, 2024

Celebrating 50 years of redefining affordable travel, ibis has launched its new global campaign, "Go Get It," alongside its first-ever travel trends report in collaboration with Globetrender. Based on surveys from 9,000 respondents across eight major markets including India, the report delves into the travel habits of Gen Z and Millennials, highlighting a growing preference for experiences over material possessions.

As Jean-Yves Minet, Global Brand President for Midscale & Economy at Accor, notes, “For us, travel is about more than just reaching a destination. It’s about forging meaningful connections with both people and places.” With this in mind, ibis’ new campaign aims to make travel more accessible while enhancing guest experiences.

Key Travel Trends for 2025
The report outlines ten significant trends that will define travel in 2025:

TikTok Trailblazing: Social media continues to play a major role in travel decisions, with viral destinations gaining popularity among young travelers.
City Hopping: Multi-city trips are on the rise, with 26% of respondents planning to explore multiple cities during one trip.
Gig Tripping: Experiences like music festivals and cultural events are now a top travel motivation for nearly half of Gen Z and Millennial travelers.
Stadium Safaris: Sporting events are another key driver, with 13% of younger travelers planning trips around live games and stadium visits.
Weekend Extenders: The rise of remote work has blurred the lines between work and leisure, leading to the trend of "workcations."
Scene Seeking: Travelers, particularly from the LGBTQ+ community, are increasingly drawn to destinations with year-round community engagement.
Gastro Globetrotting: Food tourism is booming, with 92% of respondents citing local cuisine as an essential part of their travel experience.
Tribe Travel: Traveling with friends is gaining traction, with 28% planning trips with their social circles.
Set Jetting: Visiting movie and TV show locations, known as film tourism, is also on the rise.
Nocturnal Activities: Nightlife and after-dark experiences are becoming key priorities for the younger crowd, particularly among those aged 18-24.

One standout statistic shows that 58% of travelers now believe that “experiences are better than stuff.” This marks a cultural shift where young travelers prioritize personal growth, cultural connections, and community-building experiences.

As part of its continued effort to democratize travel, ibis remains committed to providing quality stays at affordable prices, ensuring that travelers can focus on immersing themselves in their journeys. “Budget shouldn’t limit your travel experience,” adds Minet, reflecting the brand's philosophy of making travel enriching for all. With the launch of “Go Get It,” ibis is poised to lead the way in shaping the future of travel for the next generation.

Etihad and Vietnam Airlines Announce New Codeshare and Loyalty Partnership

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 23, 2025

Etihad Airways and Vietnam Airlines have taken their partnership forward with the launch of a new codeshare agreement. This move builds on Etihad’s recently introduced Abu Dhabi–Hanoi service, creating smoother travel options between the UAE and Vietnam.

With this partnership, Etihad guests can now book onward journeys to major domestic destinations in Vietnam as well as popular cities across Asia, all on a single ticket. Travellers also benefit from one check-in and automatic baggage transfer, making Abu Dhabi an easy connection point to the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.

Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, said: "This partnership with Vietnam Airlines delivers significant value to our guests by unlocking access to some of Asia's most dynamic and popular destinations. Our new Abu Dhabi-Hanoi service has been warmly received, and this codeshare agreement transforms it into a gateway to Vietnam's most exciting cities. Combined with our frequent flyer partnership, which enables loyalty members of both airlines to earn and redeem miles across our combined global networks, this collaboration underscores our commitment to providing our guests with greater flexibility, broader reach, and superior travel experiences."

From Vietnam Airlines’ perspective, this collaboration builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier. Nguyen Quang Trung, Director of Corporate Planning and Development, Vietnam Airlines, said: “Vietnam Airlines is pleased to advance our partnership with Etihad Airways through this new codeshare agreement, following the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2024. The collaboration offers seamless access to Etihad’s network across the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, while allowing more travellers to experience Vietnam Airlines’ signature warmth and hospitality. Together with our expanded frequent-flyer partnership, this agreement enhances convenience, broadens destination choices, and strengthens tourism and economic ties between Vietnam and the UAE.”

The rollout of the codeshare will take place in phases. As it expands, passengers of Vietnam Airlines will gain access to six destinations beyond Abu Dhabi, Athens, Addis Ababa, Bahrain, Muscat, Cairo, and Istanbul, opening up a wider network across the Middle East, Europe, and Africa through Etihad’s strong connectivity.

Etihad and Vietnam Airlines already have a frequent flyer partnership in place. Launched in July 2025, it allows Etihad Guest and Lotus Miles members to earn and redeem miles across both airlines’ networks. This loyalty integration adds more value to the newly announced codeshare, giving travellers broader options and smoother travel experiences.

IndiGo Launches Direct Flights Between Delhi and Manchester

By Hariharan U

Published on November 19, 2025

IndiGo, India’s preferred airline, has launched direct flights between Delhi and Manchester, starting 15th November 2025. This follows the airline’s successful first long-haul route connecting Mumbai to Manchester earlier this year.

The new 5x weekly service is operated on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, leased from Norse Atlantic Airways. The plane offers a two-class cabin with 56 IndiGoStretch seats and 282 Economy Class seats, ensuring comfort for long-haul travellers.

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), one of India’s top global gateways, now hosts IndiGo’s long-haul operations from the capital. On the UK side, Manchester Airport serves as a key hub, providing easy connections to Northern English cities including Leeds, Liverpool, and Newcastle.

By linking Delhi and Manchester, IndiGo aims to boost trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between India and the UK, making international travel faster and more convenient.

Flight Schedule (Effective 15 November 2025)

Delhi to Manchester

Flight No.: 6E 0033
Days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
Departure: 04:05 (local time)
Arrival: 09:30 (local time)

Manchester to Delhi

Flight No.: 6E 0034
Days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Departure: 11:15 (local time)
Arrival: 02:10 (+1, next day)

Note: All timings are in local time zones; +1 indicates arrival the next day.

About IndiGo
IndiGo is India’s preferred carrier and one of the fastest-growing airlines globally. Focused on affordability, punctuality, and hassle-free travel, the airline operates 2,300+ daily flights across 90+ domestic and 40+ international destinations. With a fleet of over 400 aircraft, IndiGo inducted 58 aircraft in 2024 and served 118 million passengers in FY25. It was also named ‘Best Airline in India and South Asia’ by Skytrax at the 2025 World Airline Awards.

For more details, visit www.goindigo.in or download the IndiGo mobile app.

Cox & Kings Unveils ‘Winter Tales of Europe’ as Indians Choose Offbeat Winter Destinations

By Hariharan U

Published on November 19, 2025

As Europe settles into its most scenic season, Indian travellers are increasingly looking beyond the usual winter hotspots. This year, Central and Eastern Europe have become strong favourites, leading Cox & Kings to introduce its new ‘Winter Tales of Europe’ collection. The series focuses on handpicked journeys through quieter, cultural, and lesser-explored regions, offering an intimate view of Europe away from the typical tourist trails.

Booking patterns show a clear trend: places like Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, and Bulgaria are seeing higher demand among Indian travellers. These destinations offer a mix of heritage, calm winter beauty, and good value. From snow-covered old towns to peaceful mountains and festive markets without long queues, the region appeals to travellers seeking a more soulful winter holiday.

The new itineraries, ‘Eastern Wonders: A Winter Tale’, ‘Essence of Europe: Winter Journey’, and ‘Passionate Europe: A Winter Tale’, have been curated to highlight the slower and more immersive side of Europe. While winter does bring affordability with airfares and stays dropping up to 40% across Europe between November and March, Cox & Kings says the real focus is on meaningful experiences rather than seasonal discounts.

"There's a kind of quiet grandeur to Europe in winter especially in the regions that aren't yet overrun by tourism," says Karan Agarwal, Director, Cox & Kings. "Our Winter Tales itineraries bring that to life for travellers who want to go beyond the obvious and experience Europe as it truly feels to locals."

The Winter Tales series is open to a wide range of travellers: families looking for festive breaks, honeymooners, solo travellers joining group departures, senior explorers, and all-women groups under Cox & Kings’ Group Inclusive Tours (GIT) format. There is also flexibility for travellers who prefer independent travel, as the itineraries can be customised. Bookings for these journeys remain open until mid-March 2026.

About Cox & Kings
Cox & Kings is the world’s first and one of the most iconic travel houses, with a legacy of over 260 years. Established in 1758, it has been a pioneer in global travel across leisure, business, and specialised segments. Known for its deep expertise and curated experiences, the brand continues to guide generations of travellers with a blend of tradition, innovation, and customer-first hospitality.

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ibis Celebrates 50th Anniversary with Global Campaign, Highlights Travel Trends for Gen Z & Millennials in 2025

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Etihad and Vietnam Airlines Announce New Codeshare and Loyalty Partnership

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IndiGo Launches Direct Flights Between Delhi and Manchester

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Cox & Kings Unveils ‘Winter Tales of Europe’ as Indians Choose Offbeat Winter Destinations

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