Gen Z ditching boozy vacations for sober exploration, citing safety concerns: study

Is Gen Z ditching booze-fuelled vacations for sober explorations?

New findings from Flight Centre Travel Group's (FCTG) State of Student and Youth Travel Report suggest so, with 83 per cent of Gen Z open to alcohol-free vacations – a refreshing trend that the company says is shaping Canadian travel.

Gone are the days of wild nights and hazy mornings. Today's young travellers are more interested in culture, adventure, and self-discovery, the findings suggest.

Contrary to the party-centric vacations of previous generations, only 21 per cent of Gen Z prefer clubbing while vacationing. Instead, 70 per cent prioritize sightseeing and city activities, with another 68 per cent emphasizing cultural exploration. 

These preferences indicate a broader trend among this demographic, who seek diverse, well-rounded trips that avoid hangovers.

What's fuelling the shift?

What's fuelling this shift? Key reasons include:

• avoiding unsafe situations (66 per cent) 
• preferring to spend money on other experiences (55 per cent)
• fear of spoiling the next day (53 per cent)
• an increased risk of being a victim of crime (45 per cent)

Moreover, a quarter (28 per cent) are deterred by the fear of something embarrassing being posted on social media.

But it's not just about avoiding alcohol. A separate study by FCTG and YouGov highlights that community connection (33 per cent) and meeting like-minded travellers (24 per cent) are top priorities for Gen Z, further underscoring an inclination towards building meaningful relationships and engaging in socially enriching activities while travelling. 

"Gen Z is transforming travel," said Chadd Andre, executive vice-president of Flight Centre, in a press release. "This generation's shift towards alcohol-free vacations is not just a trend, but a profound change in how they experience the world. It's not just about where they go, but how they engage with local cultures, prioritize personal well-being, and build meaningful connections along the way."

The survey that generated Flight Centre's data went out to 18 to 25-year olds in full-time education. There were 4,000 respondents, divided evenly between the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australia.

“It’s a great time to not drink”

Alcohol-free vacations are a niche that one travel advisor in Western Canada has tapped into.

Darci Murray of British Columbia, who made PAX’s “Most Fascinating” list this year, is the creator of Hooked Alcohol-Free Travel, which offers adventures for people who don't want to (or just can't) spend their vacations drinking alcohol.

What started as an option for people in recovery has since evolved into larger (but still intimate) trips, attracting various types of clientele.

“It’s a great time to not drink,” Murray told PAX in an interview last spring. “The whole mentality has switched, and the mocktail world has exploded with a vengeance.”

Murray told us there’s a desire I the market for what she calls “full-sensory travel.”

“It’s when you’re not numbing yourself [with alcohol] and being fully present to your senses,” she said.

People who eliminate booze from their trips tend to “see more,” Murray said.

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