Gen Z, Millennials, and Affluent Travelers Set the Pace for 2025 Summer Vacations

New research shares that younger Americans are significantly more likely to have vacationed in the last 3 months.

RICHMOND, Va., June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Confidence in taking an annual vacation has reached a record high, as noted in Allianz Partners USA's annual Vacation Confidence Index*. However, the data also reveals striking differences in travel attitudes and behaviors across demographic groups. The annual study, sheds light on how age, income, gender, and family dynamics are shaping Americans' vacation plans in 2025.

Despite persistent inflation concerns and mixed signals about the broader economy, a clear picture is emerging in the travel space: younger and higher-income Americans are still eager to get away. 70% of Americans under the age of 35 are confident they'll take a summer vacation this year, compared to 57% of their older counterparts (aged 55+) who share the same optimism. This surge in vacation confidence among younger adults is reflected in their behavior as well: nearly one in three (29%) aged 18–34 has taken a vacation in the past three months, reinforcing the generation's commitment to prioritizing travel, even amid economic uncertainty.

The data also underscores how income and education continue to shape travel behavior in a post-pandemic world. Three-quarters (76%) of Americans earning $100K+ annually are planning to travel this summer, compared to just 45% of those earning under $50K. Similarly, individuals with a college degree (70%) are far more likely to take a vacation than those without one (50%). This reflects a broader consumer trend seen across industries in 2025: those with greater financial flexibility are still spending on experiences, while cost-conscious groups are scaling back.

Family dynamics and gender also shape this year's travel trends, with men (68%) and women (59%) both showing strong confidence in their vacation plans – a sign that enthusiasm for summer travel is widespread across households. Parents with children at home are also showing high intent to travel, with 74% planning summer getaways, compared to just 58% of non-parents.

"As travel continues to rebound, these findings underscore how income and life stage increasingly influence how, and if, Americans plan their vacations," said Emily Hartman, General Manager at Allianz Partners USA. "While cost remains a concern for many, Gen Z, Millennials, and affluent families are driving the recovery, and they're not waiting for perfect conditions to hit 'book now.' As more travelers take advantage of quick getaways and flexible planning, having the right travel insurance helps ensure those trips stay protected, no matter what comes their way."

The Vacation Confidence Index has been conducted each summer since 2009 by national polling firm Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of Allianz Partners USA. A vacation is defined as a leisure trip of at least one week to a place that is 100 miles or more from home.

Allianz Partners offers travel insurance through most major U.S. airlines, leading travel agents, online travel agencies, hotel companies, cruise lines and directly to consumers. For more information on Allianz Partners and available travel policies, please visit http://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/.

* *Methodology: These are the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of Allianz Partners. For this survey, a sample of 2,005 Americans aged 18+ was interviewed from April 14 to 15, 2025 via the Ipsos Online Omnibus. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the results are accurate to within +/- 2.7 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had all American adults been polled. Quota sampling and weighting were employed in order to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the actual U.S. population, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Credibility intervals are wider among subsets of the population.

About Allianz Partners
In the United States, Allianz Partners USA (AGA Service Company) offers Allianz Travel-branded travel protection plans and serves millions of customers each year. In addition to travel protection, the company offers event ticket protection, registration protection for endurance events and unique travel assistance services such as international medical assistance and concierge services. AGA Service Company is doing business as Allianz Global Assistance Insurance Agency in California (License # 0B01400) and Massachusetts. Allianz Partners USA is part of the Allianz Partners group. Allianz Partners is a world leader in B2B2C insurance and assistance, offering global solutions that span international health and life, travel insurance, mobility and assistance. Customer driven, our innovative experts are redefining insurance services by delivering future-ready, high-tech, high-touch products and solutions that go beyond traditional insurance. Present in over 75 countries, our 19,400 employees speak 70 languages, handle over 58 million cases each year, and are motivated to go the extra mile to offer peace of mind to our customers around the world.

For Allianz Partners USA products offered and sold in the U.S.: Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply to all plans. Plans are available only to U.S. residents. Not all plans are available in all jurisdictions. Availability of coverage, including the epidemic-related benefits and covered reasons described here, varies by product and by state. Products may not include all benefits or covered reasons described here. All benefits are subject to maximum limits of liability, which may in some cases be subject to sublimits and daily maximums. Benefits and limits vary by plan. For a complete description of the coverage and benefit limits offered under your specific plan, carefully review your plan's Letter of Confirmation/Declarations and Certificate of Insurance/Policy. Insurance coverage is underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: Oakbrook Terrace, IL), rated "A" (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: Richmond, VA), rated "A+" (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101‐C series or 101‐P series, depending on state of residence. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Except as otherwise specified, AGA Service Company d/b/a Allianz Global Assistance is the licensed producer and administrator of Allianz Travel-branded travel protection plans in the U.S. and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. Allianz Global Assistance is a mark of AGA Service Company or its affiliates. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between Allianz Global Assistance and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance and assistance services. Noninsurance benefits/products are provided and serviced by Allianz Global Assistance.

SOURCE Allianz Partners