Global Report on The Power of Youth Travel (original) (raw)

Today´s generation of young travellers venture independently to further places, stay longer and immerse in other cultures to build their life experiences. They are spending less time in major gateway cities and have the inclination to explore more remote destinations. As part of the Millennial Generation, today´s youth are highly adept at using technology as a seamless part of their travel experience and as a means to communicate to a wider global audience. In addition, student travellers are inspired to pursue educational endeavours in other countries - whether to study, volunteer, engage in part-time work or learn a foreign language – in order to hone their international experience. Consequently, youth travel has become one of the fastest growing segments of international tourism, representing more than 20% of the over one billion tourists traveling internationally each year. This offers tremendous socioeconomic opportunities for local communities as youth travellers stimulate local tourism businesses, foster closer social interaction with host populations and champion environmental protection. Young people, recognized by the United Nations as a major force for development and social change, carry the great potential to drive sustainable development in the tourism sector. In recognition of this rapidly growing tourism segment, destinations need to undertake concrete measures to synergize their strategies with organizations that facilitate youth travel overseas, and encourage the participation in trade missions, press tours and activities linking tourism with educational institutions.