Gen Z goes for booze, buffets, and beachside bliss, but at what cultural cost?
A new survey by Radical Storage of 1,050 British travellers reveals that Gen Z loves all-inclusive holidays, with 91.3% having taken one, far higher than baby boomers at 62.6%. Overall, 80.6% of respondents have tried the all-inclusive model, which bundles meals, drinks, and activities into one upfront price. And for many, the booze is a major draw: 58.3% said it’s only worth it if you plan to drink heavily. Wealth also plays a role: those earning between £100,000–£124,999 were the most likely to have gone all-inclusive (97.6%), while only 58.6% of those earning under £10,000 had done so. TV shows like Love Island and The White Lotus have further glamorised these getaways, with searches for “Jet2Villas holiday” up 414% and “Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui” up 1,019%.
But they also lead to less cultural immersion. Only 2.4 days per week were spent dining at local restaurants on all-inclusive trips versus 4.4 days for non-all-inclusive holidays. A notable 16.1% of all-inclusive guests reported leaving the resort only once or not at all during their stay, compared to just 7.5% for other holiday types. Guests on these packages were less likely to explore landmarks daily (7.9%) versus 16.8% of other travellers, although the weekly average was closer – 3 days versus 3.7.
Still, all-inclusive travellers tend to be more social. They’re more likely to “dress up for dinner” (average likelihood of 5.8 out of 10 versus 5.2 for others), make a new friend (4.2 vs. 3.9), or even enjoy a holiday romance (2.8 vs. 2.6). Despite some being branded “lazy tourists,” only 5.9% spent no time engaging with the local culture, and 30.4% of Gen Z even ranked all-inclusive holidays as a five-star luxury experience.
Civitatis hits 1.5m followers with social-first travel strategy
Civitatis, the leading Spanish-language platform for booking tours and activities, has soared past 1.5 million social media followers – up nearly 45% – thanks to a social-first strategy focused on short-form video, creator collaborations, and hyperlocal content. Instagram grew 76% across markets, with Brazil leading the surge, while TikTok saw double-digit growth year-on-year. Campaigns like “Disfruta la Tierra” have helped Civitatis generate over 190 million global impressions, while newly launched local accounts – like Civitatis Mexico – are also seeing rapid traction.
With 65% of followers being women aged 25–45, and a strong base in Spain, Argentina, and Mexico, the company is doubling down on authenticity, community-building, and platform-native content. Civitatis also shared practical social media tips for tours and activities businesses: prioritize real-life videos, tailor content by format, post at optimal times (Monday–Thursday, 12–2pm), and use DMs for direct support. Looking ahead, Civitatis predicts TikTok Maps, AR content, and long-form YouTube videos will shape the next wave of travel discovery.
Surabaya leads as Agoda shows how hoteliers can win over Gen Z and solo travellers
Agoda has unveiled Asia’s most affordable summer destinations, with Surabaya, Indonesia topping the list at an average nightly rate of just $35. Other wallet-friendly hotspots include Tirupati (India), Hat Yai (Thailand), Dalat (Vietnam), and Kuching (Malaysia), reflecting a clear shift toward value-driven travel. The trend is especially strong among Gen Z and millennials, with 56% and 44% respectively aiming to keep nightly accommodation costs under $50.
Agoda’s research highlights how hoteliers can turn this value-first mindset into opportunity. By offering flexible cancellation policies, dynamic pricing, and curated packages – like bundling rooms with local culinary or cultural experiences – hotels can drive both bookings and guest satisfaction. With solo travel also on the rise, especially among Hong Kong and Thai women, short-lead promotions tailored to independent travelers present a timely way to capture demand. Online sales are set to make up 75% of Asia’s travel revenue by 2029, making digital agility and personalised offerings more essential than ever for hotels looking to thrive in this cost-conscious era.
PayNet, Alipay+ and Weixin Pay bolster tourist spending in Malaysia
PayNet has partnered with Alipay+ and Weixin Pay to launch a major digital payments push aimed at boosting tourist spending across Malaysia this summer. The initiative enables visitors—especially Chinese and regional tourists—to pay seamlessly using their home e-wallets by scanning DuitNow QR, accepted at over 2.5 million Malaysian merchants. Alipay+ currently supports 15 international payment apps in Malaysia and saw a six-fold YoY revenue boost for local merchants during the December 2024 peak. With three targeted campaigns offering discounts, rewards, and even a chance to win a Premier League experience, the partnership aims to increase sales for participating merchants by 20% and contribute to Malaysia’s goal of welcoming six million Chinese tourists in 2025.
More than just a tech upgrade, this collaboration empowers local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by giving them direct access to global spending power. The Weixin Pay campaign includes interactive cultural badge collections, while Alipay+’s summer promotions focus on food, attractions, and football giveaways. With digital tourism and seamless payments at the core, the initiative supports Malaysia’s ambitions of becoming a cashless tourism leader. PayNet, Alipay+, and Weixin Pay are targeting over 130% growth in DuitNow QR transactions this year, transforming tourist convenience into economic uplift for businesses across the country.
“Keep your shoes on,” says TSA
After nearly two decades of airport indignity, the T.S.A. has finally given travelers back their dignity—well, at least their footwear. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem officially confirmed that passengers no longer need to remove their shoes at airport security, thanks to improved screening tech and a “layered” approach to safety. The policy had been quietly rolling out for days at major airports like LaGuardia and Atlanta before being formally announced at Ronald Reagan National Airport. The shift comes amid record-breaking travel, with more than three million people screened in a single day on July 7. Noem emphasized the goal of making travel “more hospitable, more efficient,” while reminding folks that Real ID and improved scanners are behind this change.
Don’t toss your T.S.A. PreCheck just yet though. While everyone can now breeze through barefoot-free, PreCheck still comes with perks like keeping belts and laptops in place. Security experts say the shift is thanks to major tech upgrades—biometric systems, smarter scanners, and better intel coordination—not just a whim. More innovations are on the way too: pilot lanes are coming that may soon eliminate the need to even interact with security officers. As for the 3.4-ounce liquid rule? It’s under review. But for now, rejoice: the barefoot shuffle through airport security is officially grounded.
Chinese airports swipe power banks
As of June 28, 2025, China’s aviation watchdog has implemented a strict ban on power banks without the mandatory “3C” safety certification from both domestic and international flights departing China. This abrupt policy change left many travelers scrambling—more than two days’ notice—and resulted in numerous portable chargers being confiscated at security checkpoints. The requirement follows growing safety concerns over lithium batteries, which have been linked to inflight incidents like the Air Busan fire in January, allegedly sparked by a power bank.
Across Asia, the crackdown on lithium-ion accessories is spreading. Airlines in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore are tightening regulations—they’re banning oversized power banks, banning charging inflight, and forbidding storage in overhead bins. Regional rules typically allow power banks only in carry-on luggage, often with terminal protection (like taping covers) and capacity caps of 100–160 Wh unless pre-approved. Safety authorities and airlines cite the rising number of lithium battery incidents worldwide, including over 500 cases of overheating in the past two decades according to the FAA, as proof that stricter control is essential.
