By  Aditendra jaiswal 

As  We  approach  2035, Japan and India are projected to be the leading global tourism hubs for Gen Z due to aggressive infrastructure expansion and policies tailored to young travelers. 

1. Top Destination Predictions for 2035

Japan: Currently the fastest-growing destination with a 1,300% surge in youth bookings. Its infrastructure perfectly balances "ultramodern" technology with "ancient" cultural experiences. Japan is also the world’s fastest-growing hub for digital nomads, with Tokyo seeing a 369% increase in remote workers.

India: Projected to become the world’s fourth-largest travel market by 2030. India is focusing on "offbeat" and "spiritual" tourism (e.g., Varanasi, Rishikesh), which resonates with Gen Z’s search for authenticity.

Other Leaders: Vietnam (breakout growth in 2025), South Korea (K-pop and tech-led tourism), and Portugal (favored for digital nomad culture). 

2. Infrastructure & Policy Parameters

To attract Gen Z by 2035, countries are prioritizing:

Digital Infrastructure: Seamless high-speed Wi-Fi, AI-powered itinerary tools (used by 72% of Gen Z), and widespread mobile payment adoption like UPI.

Sustainable Transport: Expansion of electric vehicle rentals, extensive high-speed rail networks, and "green" urban corridors to reduce carbon footprints.

Friendly Policies: Implementation of "digital nomad" visas, removal of rigid travel regulations, and "Adopt a Heritage" projects to make cultural sites more tourist-friendly.

Managing Overtourism: Using new taxes (e.g., Japan’s triple departure tax starting July 2026) to reinvest in better services and less-crowded "hidden gem" locations. 

3. What Gen Z Looks for in Travel

Authenticity over Aesthetics: They prefer "shelf discovery" (eating where locals eat) and "off-the-beaten-path" stays rather than cookie-cutter luxury resorts.

Purpose & Wellness: Trips often focus on "Glowmads" (travel for healing/wellness), "Slow Travel," or "Set-Jetting" (visiting locations seen in social media or films).

Accessibility & Speed: A rising trend for 2026 is "1–2 day international escapes"—ultra-short, high-energy trips driven by viral trends.

Sober Tourism: 77% of Gen Z now choose holidays where no drinking is involved, leading to a rise in "dry tourism" and hotels with specialized alcohol-free bars. 

4. Solo vs. Family vs. Group Tourism

Gen Z is rewriting the rules of travel companionship:

Solo Travel (Primary Growth): 85% of Gen Z planned solo trips for 2025/2026, viewing it as a tool for self-discovery and independence.

Family Travel (Multi-Gen Trend): Surprisingly, 52% of Gen Z still travel with parents. This "skip-gen" or multigenerational travel is often for deeper family connection and is expected to remain a significant secondary preference.

Group Tourism (Social Connection): While they travel solo, they often join group tours once at the destination to find a sense of "belonging" and social recognition.