News India Live, Digital Desk: The world of tourism is going to change completely in the year 2026, and the credit for this goes to Generation Z. Now the youth are not packing bags just after watching viral reels on social media, but are making their journey ‘smart’ and economical by using technology and data. According to recent reports, in 2026, the focus of Gen Z travelers has shifted from ‘appearance’ to ‘experience’ and ‘value’. Why has Gen Z’s planning become smart? According to reports, Gen Z is now taking the help of AI and digital tools for travel. There are many big reasons behind this: AI becomes travel agent: About 72% of Gen 56% of Indian Gen Z are making financial sacrifices like not buying new clothes or using taxis less for their next trip. Key Travel Trends of 2026 Event Tourism: Traveling for music concerts and global events is the biggest trend. 62% of the youth of India are planning to travel only for concerts in 2026. Supermarket Tourism: Going abroad and exploring the local supermarkets and food culture has become the new hobby of the youth. Quick International Trips: Now no longer wait for long holidays, instead the trend of short and quick international trips of 1-2 days (Quick Getaways) is increasing. Gen Z’s travel priorities ChangePriorityTrend of 2020-24New Trend of 2026PlanningTravel Agent / Random ReelAI based customized planBudgetSpend on luxury staysSpend on experiences and toursDestinationParis, London (Famous)Nepal, Mongolia, Vietnam (Unique)PhotographyOnly Instagram ReelNature and ‘touching grass’ experiences3 Gen Z tips for smart trips Proper use of social media: Not just for photos, but also to use social media to discover the local hidden gems. Multi-city planning: Covering multiple cities in a single trip so that flights and time can be utilized optimally. Sharing with family: About 48% of Indian youth are now ready to travel with family members so that the expense of the trip can be shared among themselves. Expert opinion: “Gen Z has proved that traveling is now only a hobby of the rich. No, rather they have learned to strike the right balance between budget and quality.”