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I was baffled by the tone of this article -- mostly the implication that the mildly-affluent traveling on and off for a few years in their 20s is a brand new ph

I was baffled by the tone of this article -- mostly the implication that the mildly-affluent traveling on and off for a few years in their 20s is a brand new phenomenon -- until I realized the author is approximately 23. Sorry Gen Z, travel wasn't invented in 2022, although it may feel that way after being locked down for several years. The real question, sort of brushed on in the article, is how much the influencer business has changed things. It seems to be a lot easier to monetize your travels and cover some of your expenses than it used to be.

empath-nirvana 3y ago
Yeah, there is a _well trod_ backpacker circuit through the developing world. I went traveling with nothing but a well worn copy of Lonely Planet, but you can do it with trip advisor now, they have hostels and such covered very well.
- busterarm 3y ago
  This trend goes back far further than that, to be honest. For centuries in the western world's middle and upper class, the first born son inherited the family assets, the second born sons went into the priesthood and any other sons got an allowance and travelled the world to make their own way of things because there were no opportunities for them at home.
dfxm12 3y ago
Stories about different generations are generational. If you're old enough, you remember similar stories about Gen X. In 10-20 years, you'll read similar stories about the next generation. Sorry Gen Z, travel wasn't invented in 2022 I don't think "Gen Z" is making this claim. CNN is just feeding into your irrational annoyance for younger generations. It's an evergreen topic in the media that gets clicks. I'm sure some people are downright angry and these youths are too lazy to work, or whatever, just like the older ones who lost it towards one of the travelers in the article. Ragebait is something mass media is good at, after all. I personally hope the article inspires someone to stop and smell the roses somewhere new, even if it is just across town, no matter which generation they're from.
tayo42 3y ago
I thought the influencer thing was mostly a show and not actually making any money?
- onlyrealcuzzo 3y ago
  Most of them are making some money - miniscule discounts here & there. Is it paying for any meaningful amount of ~95% of their travels? No. But a lot of them work in adjacent industries where it's beneficial - managing other people's / brands social media accounts, travel writing / blogging, ghost writing, etc. The majority of them are getting paid way less than minimum wage - but are somehow finding it worthwhile w/ the dollar arbitrage and an optimistic view of their future, etc...
dredmorbius 3y ago
In the 1970s it was suitcases (or backpacks) full of Levis jeans and/or American rock / blues / jazz albums.

empath-nirvana 3y ago

Yeah, there is a _well trod_ backpacker circuit through the developing world. I went traveling with nothing but a well worn copy of Lonely Planet, but you can do it with trip advisor now, they have hostels and such covered very well.

busterarm 3y ago
This trend goes back far further than that, to be honest. For centuries in the western world's middle and upper class, the first born son inherited the family assets, the second born sons went into the priesthood and any other sons got an allowance and travelled the world to make their own way of things because there were no opportunities for them at home.

dfxm12 3y ago

Stories about different generations are generational. If you're old enough, you remember similar stories about Gen X. In 10-20 years, you'll read similar stories about the next generation. Sorry Gen Z, travel wasn't invented in 2022 I don't think "Gen Z" is making this claim. CNN is just feeding into your irrational annoyance for younger generations. It's an evergreen topic in the media that gets clicks. I'm sure some people are downright angry and these youths are too lazy to work, or whatever, just like the older ones who lost it towards one of the travelers in the article. Ragebait is something mass media is good at, after all. I personally hope the article inspires someone to stop and smell the roses somewhere new, even if it is just across town, no matter which generation they're from.

tayo42 3y ago

I thought the influencer thing was mostly a show and not actually making any money?

onlyrealcuzzo 3y ago
Most of them are making some money - miniscule discounts here & there. Is it paying for any meaningful amount of ~95% of their travels? No. But a lot of them work in adjacent industries where it's beneficial - managing other people's / brands social media accounts, travel writing / blogging, ghost writing, etc. The majority of them are getting paid way less than minimum wage - but are somehow finding it worthwhile w/ the dollar arbitrage and an optimistic view of their future, etc...

dredmorbius 3y ago

In the 1970s it was suitcases (or backpacks) full of Levis jeans and/or American rock / blues / jazz albums.