WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Millennials are more likely than their older counterparts to travel with a purpose as 84 percent of millennials say they would travel abroad to participate in volunteer activities, according to a new survey released today by Marriott Rewards Credit Card. Furthermore, 32 percent of millennials are interested in taking a charitable trip, while only two in ten Generation X travelers (18 percent) and baby boomers (17 percent) are interested in doing the same. Conversely, female travelers (28 percent), regardless of age, tend be more interested in taking a charitable vacation compared to their male counterparts (17 percent).
“Other generations may not assume Millennials would use their most precious assets, their time and money, to give back to international communities they visit, but today’s young travelers are reframing that mindset,” said Vibhat Nair, general manager, Chase Card Services. “We’ve seen in the past that this generation of travelers value rewards and perks from travel services, and now we’re seeing how they could be using those rewards for a larger purpose.”
The nationwide phone survey commissioned by Marriott Rewards Credit Card reached 1,000 travelers (18-67 years old) who stay in a hotel at least five nights per year for business, pleasure or both. Additional key findings from the survey include:
Millennial travelers are more likely than other generations to define international vacation “hot spots” by celebrity and pop culture influence
- Millennial travelers ages 18-34 (44 percent) are more likely than travelers ages 35-49 (33 percent) and 50-67 (27 percent) to view destinations as hot spots if they have a booming industry and culture. Older travelers ages 50-67 (34 percent) are most likely to define a destination as a hot spot if it was highlighted in a notable travel or lifestyle publication.
- One in five millennials (20 percent) would say a destination is a hot spot if it has recently been featured in a movie, compared to only 11 percent of Gen Xers and seven percent of boomers.
- Around the same amount of millennials (21 percent) and travelers ages 35-49 (20 percent) say a destination is a hot spot if pop culture events, such as award shows or concerts, have taken place or will take place there, compared to one in ten travelers ages 50-67 (10 percent).
Millennial travelers seek thrilling adventures and nightlife over leisurely vacations abroad
- Millennial travelers are far more interested in thrilling vacations (78 percent) than lazy trips (32 percent).
- Those millennials seeking a thrilling vacation are most interested in filling their adrenaline needs through water sports (67 percent), compared to travelers ages 35-49 (55 percent) of ages 50-67 (46 percent).
- Interacting with wild animals through activities like safaris or swimming with sharks (63 percent) is also of significant interest to millennial travelers who seek thrilling vacations.
- Millennials (28 percent) are much more likely than Gen Xers (15 percent) and Boomers (six percent) to consider the local nightlife when choosing a particular destination abroad to visit.
To meet the unique needs of the rapidly growing segment of millennial travelers, Chase offers its Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card, which lets travelers earn accelerated Marriott Reward points on all purchases, accumulate free night stays, and receive automatic Silver Elite Status once they become a cardholder. The card’s annual fee is waived the first year and also offers EMV chip-and-signature technology, charges no foreign transaction fees and comes with a variety of travel benefits. Nair adds, “today’s traveler is looking for ways to get the most out of their valuable time and money while on vacation, and the Marriott Rewards Credit Card from Chase helps to bring those desired travel experiences to life.”
Additionally, the Marriott Rewards Credit Card is offering a chance to win a free night stay at over 3,800 Marriott locations worldwide through its 1,000 Nights of Summer sweepstakes, which ends June 30, 2015.
About the Survey
This report presents the findings of a telephone survey conducted among a nationally representative sample of 1,002 Americans, ages 18-67, who stay in a hotel at least five nights per year for business, pleasure or both. The survey was conducted from April 2, 2015 through April 10, 2015, and the margin of error is +/- 3.1 percent with a 95 percent confidence level.
About Marriott
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA with nearly 3,800 properties in 72 countries and territories and reported revenues of over $12 billion in fiscal year 2012. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at www.marriott.com and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.
About Chase
Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.6 trillion and operations worldwide. Chase serves nearly half of America’s households with a broad range of financial services, including personal banking, credit cards, mortgages, auto financing, investment advice, small business loans and payment processing. Customers can choose how and where they want to bank: More than 5,500 branches, 18,000 ATMs, mobile, online and by phone. For more information, go to Chase.com.
