Planning for the 2036 Traveler Means Looking Beyond Today's Data
Skift Advisory's Chase Gray warned that long development timelines mean travel companies may use outdated data to design future products. He said Asia-Pacific will drive a large share of new trips by 2036, while Gen Z and Gen Alpha will reshape the traveler base. Gray also described a shift toward prestige-oriented travelers who value access and experiences over traditional luxury amenities.
Chase Gray, a strategy director at Skift Advisory, noted that hospitality projects can require roughly seven years before opening. A property funded in 2026 might not welcome guests until 2033, by which time its intended customer may have changed. Relying on recent guest data for such long-range choices can therefore misread future demand.
Gray projected that Asia-Pacific would generate one-third of added trips through 2036, with China contributing 100 million outbound journeys. Gen Z should overtake millennials as the biggest traveler group in the early 2030s, while Gen Alpha reaches 10% of international travelers by 2036 and 20% by 2040. Prestige-oriented travelers, who prize privileged entry and memorable activities, are the fastest-growing values segment.
As travel companies plan for 2036, their choices may shape which destinations, services, and experiences become available. Younger cohorts and Asia-Pacific travelers could gain more influence, while prestige-focused offerings may prioritize access over broad affordability. Local communities and hospitality workers may feel effects through infrastructure, cultural exchange, and employment, though outcomes depend on how companies interpret these demographic and values shifts.