Americans battle with journey dysmorphia amid social pressures, new survey reveals

Nearly seven in 10 Americans endure from “travel dysmorphia” — the sensation that they haven’t seen sufficient of the world in comparison with others.

A survey of two,000 U.S. adults cut up evenly by technology revealed that lower than half (48%) are happy with how a lot they’ve traveled of their lifetime.

Social media seems to be a key driver of that sentiment. Over a 3rd (35%) cite buddies’ and members of the family’ journey posts as triggers, and one other 32% say journey conversations with friends heighten emotions of inadequacy. 

Among Gen Z, this impact is extra pronounced: 47% say influencer and YouTube content material contributes to their journey dysmorphia, and greater than half (55%) report that social media makes them really feel like they’re “behind” in life general.

More than 1 / 4 of each Gen Z (26%) and millennials (27%) admit they’re embarrassed about their journey expertise, or perceived lack thereof.

The research, carried out by Talker Research on behalf of Scenic Group, revealed that solely 10% of Americans really feel they’ve achieved all of their journey targets up to now. 

Common obstacles embrace price (63%), work commitments (19%), household duties (19%), and logistical fatigue (18%). 

Additionally, many youthful respondents cited a “someday” mindset, assuming they nonetheless have loads of time to succeed in their journey targets (22% for Gen Z and 16% for millennials), as a motive for delaying journey.

Despite the obstacles, Americans stay wanting to discover. Nearly one-third (32%) of Americans have by no means left the nation. Only 12% don’t intend to take action, and the common particular person hopes to see 22 totally different nations.

The high world locations Americans aspire to see embrace Japan (24%), Paris (24%), Greece (19%), Australia (17%), Puerto Rico (16%), Germany (14%), and much more distant locales like Antarctica (5%) and Vietnam (5%).

“These findings speak to the deeper emotional realities surrounding modern travel. Travel has become more than a milestone – it’s now a marker of fulfillment and success,” mentioned Ken Muskat, President of Scenic Group USA and LATAM. “People aren’t just falling behind on destinations; they’re falling behind on the experiences they thought would define this chapter of life, and they’re not sure how to catch up.”

But mindsets are shifting. Results discovered that Americans are transferring away from aspirational bucket lists and focusing extra on worldwide, achievable journey within the shorter time period.

1 / 4 of child boomers are specializing in smaller, extra attainable journeys, and Gen X are selecting extra significant locations (14%).

Gen Z are prioritizing journey with family and friends (21%) and are saying “yes” to each alternative (17%), whereas millennials are working to take advantage of out of each journey (21%).

In the subsequent 5 years, practically half of all Americans polled (44%) hope to go to someplace solely new. 

Beach holidays and street journeys are the preferred (37% every), with 25% thinking about reserving all-inclusive escapes.

Cruising can be seeing broad enchantment: 28% of respondents wish to take an ocean cruise, 18% are drawn to river cruises, and 6% hope to embark on polar expeditions. 

Gen Z respondents expressed curiosity in seasonal journeys like vacation markets (20%), whereas Gen X is trying towards historic and cultural excursions (22%). 

Wildlife experiences (22%), wellness retreats (13%), and culinary adventures (12%) are additionally on the rise throughout all age teams.

With so many locations to go and issues to do, the perfect could also be but to come back, as these below the age of 30 consider they are going to solely be touring extra as they become old.

“This research shows that Americans are rethinking what meaningful travel looks like – and when ‘someday’ should start,” mentioned Muskat. “A lot of us grew up with the idea of a ‘bucket list,’ but that often keeps experiences stuck in the future. A ‘Living List’ is about shifting that mindset: embracing travel as something you build into your life now, not wait for later.”

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 normal inhabitants Americans cut up evenly by technology (500 Gen Z, 500 millennials, 500 Gen X and 500 child boomers); the survey was commissioned by Scenic Group and administered and carried out on-line by Talker Research between June 6 and June 13, 2025.