Travel trends are all about the young—endless articles about how Gen Z loves experiential trips or how millennials are driving the rise of eco-tourism. But where does that leave you, the Gen X traveler? Born between the late '60s and early '80s, you’ve been there, done that, and bought the T-shirt (from several continents). So, what’s in it for 2024 that actually fits your lifestyle and interests?
The good news is there are fresh travel trends taking off in 2024, and many of them are perfectly tailored to your tastes—whether you’re looking for meaningful adventure, ways to mix family and fun, or just a break from the digital overload. As someone with plenty of travel experience under your belt, these new trends will offer exciting ways to keep your journeys fresh and rewarding.
In this article, you’ll discover seven Gen X travel trends that cater to your love of authentic, enriching experiences while keeping things practical. Whether it’s traveling more sustainably or finding the perfect balance between work and leisure, these 2024 trends have you covered.
1. The Rise of Sustainable Travel for the Conscientious Gen X
As a generation that’s witnessed the growing importance of environmental responsibility, Generation X is embracing sustainable travel in 2024. Whether it’s booking eco-friendly accommodations, choosing low-impact transportation options like trains, or visiting destinations focused on conservation, valuable market segment, sustainable travel practices, sustainability is a top priority.
What sets Generation X apart is that they want more than just “greenwashing.” They’re looking for genuine sustainability efforts, like hotels that actively reduce their carbon footprint or travel companies that invest in local communities and local foods. From supporting wildlife reserves to opting for slow travel that minimizes emissions, sustainable tourism is becoming a cornerstone of their travel plans.
Not only is this trend about protecting the planet, but it’s also about adding deeper meaning to their journeys—something that resonates with a generation that values authenticity and responsibility.
2. Multi-Generational Trips: Bringing the Family Along
For Gen X, travel in 2024 is about more than just personal getaways—it’s about sharing experiences with both their kids and their aging parents. Multi-generational trips are on the rise, offering a way to bring the whole family together for meaningful, memory-filled adventures and significant opportunity.
Whether it's a Mediterranean cruise that caters to all age groups, a rental villa in Tuscany with space for everyone, or guided tours that accommodate both the younger generations and the elderly, Gen X travelers are designing trips that offer something for everyone. These vacations balance relaxation with family members, providing the chance to create shared memories while ensuring that no one feels left out.
What’s driving this trend? Gen X values family time but knows how challenging it can be to manage different needs. Multi-generational travel solves that problem, making sure everyone—from grandparents to the youngest kids—has something to enjoy.
3. Luxury Travel with a Twist: Experiential Over Opulence
Gone are the days when luxury travel was all about five-star hotels and lavish resorts. In 2024, Gen X travelers are redefining luxury by seeking out experiences that offer cultural immersion and meaningful connections, rather than just extravagant comfort. They’re looking for personalized, authentic encounters that go beyond luxury for luxury’s sake.
Think of high-end cooking classes with local chefs, private guided tours of historical landmarks, or eco-luxury stays in remote natural settings. Gen X values experiences that deepen their understanding of a place, whether it’s learning traditional crafts from locals or participating in wildlife conservation efforts. This “experiential luxury” offers the best of both worlds: comfort without sacrificing authenticity.
For Gen X, luxury is no longer about excess; it’s about creating lasting memories and enriching their worldview through travel. They’re willing to pay for top-tier service, but it must come with a story to tell or a connection to the local culture and local foods.
4. Tech-Savvy Yet Offline: The Growing Appeal of Digital Detox Vacations
While Gen X is known for being tech-savvy—adapting to the rise of the internet, smartphones, and social media with ease—there’s a growing movement among this generation toward digital detox vacations. In 2024, more Gen X travelers are choosing to unplug from their devices, escape the constant flood of information, and find peace in offline experiences.
This generation, often juggling high-pressure careers and family responsibilities, finds that stepping away from their phones and laptops can be refreshing. Digital detox trips are becoming a way to not only disconnect from technology but also reconnect with nature, loved ones, and even themselves.
These vacations come in many forms, but they share a common thread: limited or no access to the digital world. Popular destinations include remote mountain retreats, secluded beaches, or wellness resorts that intentionally minimize Wi-Fi and cell service.
For Gen X, the desire for a digital detox goes beyond just turning off phones. It’s about finding mental clarity and peace by fully immersing in their surroundings. These trips often focus on wellness, mindfulness, and nature, offering activities like hiking, yoga, meditation, and simply enjoying the beauty of the outdoors. The absence of constant connectivity allows travelers to experience their vacation in a more meaningful and present way.
Digital detox vacations also cater to Gen X’s desire for balance and life stage. Taking time away from technology not only reduces stress but also fosters deeper connections with family and friends. For example, families on digital detox trips report stronger bonds as they replace screen time with quality moments spent hiking, cooking, or playing games together.
Of course, this doesn’t mean Gen X is abandoning technology altogether. Far from it. They’re just more selective about when and how they engage with it, and vacations are increasingly becoming a time to switch off. After all, a break from the digital world can make returning to it that much more enjoyable and manageable.
Ultimately, digital detox vacations offer Gen X a way to escape the relentless pace of modern life, recharge in nature, and come back feeling refreshed and reconnected. In 2024, these trips are expected to be a top choice for those looking to balance their tech-heavy lives with moments of real-world connection and tranquility.
5. Adventure Travel, Reimagined: Challenging Yet Accessible
In 2024, Gen X travelers are reimagining what adventure travel means. While younger generations may chase extreme sports or adrenaline-pumping thrills, Gen X is seeking experiences that offer adventure but without the intense risks. It’s all about finding that perfect balance—challenging but manageable, exciting but not overwhelming.
This generation, now in their 40s and 50s, is still eager to explore the world but with an emphasis on physical activities that push their boundaries in more thoughtful, sustainable ways.
Instead of extreme sports like skydiving or bungee jumping, many Gen X travelers are drawn to “soft adventure”—activities that offer a sense of accomplishment and connection with nature, but at a pace and intensity they’re comfortable with. These could include hiking scenic trails, cycling through picturesque countryside, or kayaking along serene coastlines.
Gen X is looking for experiences that challenge them physically and mentally but don’t require peak fitness or extreme training. Multi-day hikes through national parks, guided wildlife safaris, or cycling tours through wine regions offer just enough thrill without the need to risk life and limb. These experiences allow them to stay active while still taking time to enjoy the journey and the destinations.
Additionally, the focus is often on exploring off-the-beaten-path locations that offer sustainable travel, cultural and natural enrichment. Instead of crowded tourist spots, Gen X adventurers are choosing quieter, less-commercialized destinations where they can experience authentic landscapes and local cultures in historical sites.
A hiking tour through the remote regions of Patagonia or a guided trek through the Andes offers a sense of adventure with a cultural twist, making the experience both physically rewarding and deeply meaningful.
What sets Gen X apart from younger thrill-seekers is their desire for comfort and balance alongside adventure. Many of these trips include elements of luxury or relaxation to complement the physical activity.
For example, after a day of hiking, they might unwind at a boutique lodge with a gourmet meal and a glass of wine. It’s not just about pushing the body but also about rewarding themselves with moments of comfort and indulgence, primary motivation for themselves—creating a holistic travel experience that satisfies both body and soul.
For Gen X travelers, these adventures aren’t just about ticking off bucket-list items; they’re about personal growth and self-discovery. Many see travel as a way to rejuvenate themselves, reconnect with nature, and reflect on their life’s journey or life stage. They’re after experiences that are transformative, offering a deeper sense of purpose beyond the surface-level excitement.
Ultimately, the adventure travel trend for Gen X in 2024 is about exploration that feels fulfilling, sustainable, and meaningful. It's an adventure with intention, offering not just the thrill of the unknown but also the satisfaction of doing it in a way that aligns with their values and lifestyle.
6. Workcations and Extended Stays: Blending Business with Leisure
In 2024, the line between work and vacation is blurring, and Gen X travelers are increasingly embracing workcations and extended stays as a way to travel without putting their careers on hold despite of busy schedules. With remote work becoming more common, many are taking advantage of this flexibility to travel for longer periods, combining work with leisure to enjoy a change of scenery while staying productive.
One of the major appeals of workcations for Gen X is the flexibility. Many in this generation are in leadership positions or running their own businesses, giving them the freedom to work remotely on their own terms.
This means they can take extended trips, blending work during the day with sightseeing, cultural experiences, or relaxation in the evenings and on weekends. Instead of the typical one- or two-week vacation, they’re staying longer, making it possible to truly immerse themselves in new environments and unfamiliar locales.
Extended stays also offer more than just convenience for work. They provide Gen X travelers the chance to explore a destination at a slower, more relaxed pace.
Instead of packing all the activities into a rushed week-long trip, they can take their time, discover local culture, meet new people, and get off the beaten path. This deeper, more immersive travel experience is something Gen X values—being able to truly understand and connect with a place rather than simply passing through.
The trend of workcations also highlights a broader shift in how people, especially Gen X, view the relationship between work and life. It’s no longer about separating the two entirely but finding ways to integrate them meaningfully in significant portion.
As work environments become more flexible, more Gen X travelers are looking for opportunities to make the most of this freedom, blending productivity with the personal enjoyment of travel.
7. Health and Wellness Retreats: Prioritizing Mind and Body
In 2024, Gen X travelers are increasingly focused on health and wellness, making retreats centered around physical and mental well-being a major trend. With careers, family, and everyday stress piling up, many are seeking vacations that offer more than just relaxation—they want trips that help rejuvenate both their bodies and minds.
Wellness retreats, such as yoga escapes, meditation getaways, and spa-focused vacations, are becoming top choices for Gen X. These trips often take place in tranquil, scenic locations like mountain resorts, beachside spas, or secluded forest lodges.
Offering a chance to disconnect from the fast-paced demands of life, these retreats focus on activities that promote mindfulness, fitness, and self-care, such as guided meditation, fitness classes, and nature-based therapies.
For Gen X, these vacations aren’t just about pampering—they’re about long-term well-being. Whether it’s a week at a detox retreat or a yoga workshop in Bali, these experiences are designed to refresh and restore, leaving travelers feeling balanced and ready to take on the world again.
Conclusione
As 2024 unfolds, Generation X travelers are redefining what it means to explore the world. From embracing sustainable travel and family-friendly vacations to prioritizing wellness and blending work with leisure, Gen X is making the most of their journeys in a way that suits their unique lifestyle and values.
Whether it’s seeking out immersive cultural experiences or opting for remote getaways to unplug and recharge, the travel trends of 2024 reflect this generation’s desire for adventure, balance, and meaningful connections in travel industry.
If you’re a Gen X traveler, these trends offer exciting opportunities to tailor your trips to your personal interests, whether you want to explore new destinations or simply take time for yourself. As travel continues to evolve, you’ll find that there are plenty of ways to make your next adventure both fulfilling and unforgettable.
