Future Travellers: A Study of Generation Z’s Consumption Patterns

Abstract

Generation Z is now being seen as the travellers of the future. Their pattern of consumption is changing due to the inclusion of online platforms and the growing use of social media, among other aspects. Tourism trends are shaped by the development of communications, digitalisation, and globalisation, which particularly affect the way tourism products are consumed. Both phenomena constitute an emerging research topic that needs to be further explored. Tourism industry required solutions to global challenges closely related to the intrinsic characteristics of these consumers, particularly in their relationship with technology and sustainability. The aim of this paper is to review what progress has been made so far in this line of research. The methodology carried out is based on two phases. Firstly, the collection of data through a search with the keywords Generation Z and Tourism in Web of Science and, secondly, the analysis of the identified documents. The review highlights the need for more research on Generation Z due to their level of connectivity to the digital world and its direct relationship with the purchase of tourism services. Thus, a "3 C's Model" is proposed, which can guide future researchers. The findings could help companies in the tourism sector to focus their products on an emerging target.