MILLENNIAL TRAVELLERS PREFER AUTHENTIC CULTURAL EXPERIENCES| MILLENNIAL TRAVEL TRENDS
Millennials tend to be a unique group of travellers that are in search of more down-to-earth experiences. What’s the best way to go deep into travel? Well, that would mean linking foreign travelers into culturally rooted experiences that remove the fluff and provide a more wholesome experience. Gone are the days of typical tourism tactics to this generation that craves more than just “breakfast included” or a “welcome drink” at reception.
Once the so-called excess promotions are removed, then all travellers are left with is an empty agenda. An agenda that yearns to be filled with newness of knowledge and cultural exposure. Throughout my observations and multi-cultural experiences, I find that this Millennial generation tends to seek out what the locals do rather than what the latest travel review website is ranking in their feed. This can mean a number of things, Millennial travellers want to personalize their own unique cultural experience to fit their interests or they’re tired of travelling the same old touristic spots.
In both cases, there is truth to be found. It’s a prime objective to follow ones personal interest and merge that with the local culture. Personally, I like to experience the local cuisine and make note to get recommendations from my hotel staff and find a local food tour that caters this experience. I may follow a restaurant recommendation to a local delicacy that otherwise would have been hidden from plain view during my exploration. In addition, I perhaps could join a street food tour to help immerse me in the food the locals eat and purchase local spices and other lesser known products. Plus, I can trust the judgment of locals more than my own, especially when it comes to selecting street food vendors.
Besides food culture, there are many other aspects that appeal to Millennial travellers which tend to include language immersion, artisan crafts, or even sports. There’s no better way to brush up on your High School foreign language studies than to practice with locals in a class setting. The culture experience of choice is ultimately based on individual preferences, therefore, taking a cultural bite out of any city truly depends on the way a person views culture.
The fact is authenticity of culture is key for this Millennial generation because we crave new knowledge and pure experiences. I would say that the influence of culture in travel is and will continue to be an ongoing trend for Millennial travellers as we attempt to localize and culturally customize our future worldwide travel plans.
READ: MILLENNIAL TRAVEL TRENDS
