I am generally the first to put my hand up and concede I struggle to understand the psyche of Generation Z.
When the concept of ‘raw dogging’ on planes started to do the rounds a few years ago – the act of staring a hole in the seat in front of you without distraction – I was one of the many over 40s scratching their thinning hair in puzzlement.
I totally understand the desire to disconnect from the pernicious digital apparatus that most of us are hopelessly entangled in, but why the need to stare like an unhinged serial killer at the back of a seat? Why not simply turn off all devices and read? How about journalling or doing a crossword? And if you absolutely must be without any implement whatsoever, simply be with your thoughts and restfully take in the best view you will ever see out the plane window?
As you can already tell, I am rarely on the same wavelength as my younger comrades, but I have made a blood oath to never become so out of touch that I cease to care what the devil they are going on about.
Echoes of my dad insisting that all information can now be “uploaded from the Google” will see to that permanent ambition.
A brand far more in touch with the kids than myself is Flight Centre Travel Group’s Topdeck, which this week dumped its 50-seater coaches for a cap of just 18 people.
The move followed a year’s worth of research on Generation Z, with one finding claiming that close to two-thirds of younger travellers find smaller groups less stressful.
Internal data at Topdeck also showed the majority of young adults prefer to travel in a group of 20 or fewer, and so it was declared the brand would be relaunched to cater to these changing preferences.
“Large tour groups on 50-seater coaches have massively fallen out of favour among this cohort – young travellers want to feel like locals, not tourists,” Anna Fawcett, Topdeck’s General Manager APAC explained.
While I previously confessed to perpetual perplexity by this generation, I must admit this shift makes a lot of sense when you think about the cloistered lifestyles that many Aussies in this demographic lead.
They are the generation that grew unique social communities from their bedrooms, not cafes, pubs or bars.
Many of this group don’t even enjoy going to the movies, preferring instead to avoid the crowds and watch films on home devices with a small posse of mates.
So naturally when it comes to travel, being thrust onto a bus with 49 other strangers and conscripted into the group activities is unlikely to be their jam (are the kids still using that word?).
From April 2026, Topdeck will be reborn.
There will be one trip style only for 18-32s, with an emphasis on flexibility, food, a relaxed pace, and no hidden extras.
The brand’s surveys also found that authentic food was especially important, so local meals will be included in every major destination.
Deeper immersion in destination was another clear finding, so Topdeck will offer longer stays in key cities, with trip options ranging from 7 to 47 days.
If this reposition needs further tweaking, I have already suggested to the good people at Global Touring that perhaps a Gameboy should be stocked on all transfers, Nirvana be pumped up to the full volume on the CD player, and perhaps start offering free frosted tip hair treatments upon request.
I’m yet to hear back.
In other news this week, Chile bucked the trend of making destinations more expensive, dispensing with the need to pay for a visa on entry.
This news really matters in an economic climate of scrimping and scraping to afford overseas trips, and we could well see the healthy $180 saving swing bookings toward this picturesque South American nation.
Australians can now also benefit from less administration (my kryptonite), receiving a free passport stamp on arrival and off to the Andes.
Another interesting development came from the world of cruising this week, with Royal Caribbean Group confirming the option for a seventh Icon-class vessel as part of a renewed agreement signed with shipbuilder Meyer Turku.
There have been unconfirmed murmurs of Royal pivoting to a smaller-sized ship for future builds to open up more flexibility with ports and itineraries, with some speculating it might see the run of Icon production come to a close.
But clearly the cruise company is enjoying the commercial buzz from its mammoth Icon class line – the largest in the world – and having been privileged enough to step aboard its debut ship, Icon of the Seas, I can attest to these options being a utopia for multigenerational cruising in particular.
The scourge of extreme weather events also blew into our newsfeed this week, with Super Typhoon Ragasa leaving many Aussies stranded in places like Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, and China.
The most destructive storm cell of the year played havoc with flights, with carriers like Qantas and Cathay Pacific scrapping many services, while Hong Kong Airport closed pre-emptively to maximise traveller safety.
That wraps up the week that was, but I am hyper aware of leaving our loyal readers stymied on a gloomy note, so please enjoy a sheepish chuckle at comedian Dave Hughes’ expense.
Hughes did not have a great experience at Sydney Airport this week, when security spotted an erroneous object inside his jeans.
After being singled out for a semi-strip search, it turns out he was carrying around an old pair of undies in his pants by mistake, which was dutifully placed on its own tray and scanned by security equipment in front of a gawking crowd.
The lengths our airport staff will go to keep us safe knows no bounds.
Have a great weekend everyone.
