What Hotels Are Getting Wrong About Young Travelers

Imagine a generation raised on social media who, contrary to stereotype, are now desperately seeking real human connection in their travel experiences. This fascinating paradox sits at the heart of our conversation with Cassady Quintana, Brand Ambassador at Travel Media Group, who brings unique insights as both a marketing professional and a Gen Z traveler herself.

The post-pandemic traveler landscape has shifted dramatically, with Gen Z (born 1997-2012) emerging as a powerhouse demographic that approaches travel decisions fundamentally differently than previous generations. "We're seeing a lot of trends recently, especially since COVID hit—that desire for real interaction, social events at hotels, solo traveling and wanting to meet people while you're on these trips," Cassady explains. This craving for connection contradicts assumptions about digital natives being glued to their screens.

For hospitality marketers concerned about ROI, Cassidy offers this comparison: "Comparing the ROI of social media is like comparing the ROI of a billboard. You don't know how many people saw that billboard and then came and booked with you." The value comes not in direct attribution but in creating the digital presence that validates your property when travelers research their options.

Find Travel Media Group here
www.travelmediagroup.com

Find Hovr here:
gethovr.com

[00:00:00] Welcome to Moments that Matter
[00:04:15] Understanding Gen Z Travelers
[00:11:35] Post-COVID Travel Expectations
[00:15:01] Creating Authentic Social Media Content
[00:19:46] Designing Spaces for Every Generation
[00:26:09] Video Content is King
[00:30:36] Proving Social Media ROI
[00:35:27] Digital Storytelling in Hospitality
[00:37:46] Career Advice for Young Professionals