Y2K Travel trend emerges as millennials seek 90s nostalgia

A new study by GetYourGuide has identified a growing travel trend known as ‘Y2K Travel,’ driven by nostalgia for the 1990s and early 2000s. According to the research, 65% of millennials are traveling in search of the feeling of ‘simpler times.’

The trend extends across generations, with 71% of both Gen Z and millennials expressing interest in experiences inspired by the turn of the millennium. Key attractions include visiting locations associated with favorite films, television series, and music. Approximately 65% of respondents indicated that revisiting a childhood memory at an iconic pop culture landmark would be their ideal travel experience.

Anne Wallin, head of trend forecasting at GetYourGuide, noted that travelers are using trips to escape into the past, seeking a specific feeling rather than just a destination. Interestingly, one in three participants expressed a desire to experience an era prior to the ubiquity of smartphones and constant internet access.