The travel industry is no stranger to changing trends, but the current trend leaves some people thinking they heard wrong. So, what is set-jetting, and how can you partake in (or avoid) it?
What’s Set-Jetting?
Set-jetting is a trend where travelers plan their vacation trips based on popular movies and television shows, often from social media and streaming devices. They create itineraries around plots and events depicted in popular media.
To Do or Not To Do
According to data from Expedia, more than two-thirds of travelers have contemplated set-jetting, and 39% of those who considered it booked their trip.
Popular Shows
Many travelers who’ve become part of the set-jetting trend visited destinations inspired by popular shows like House of Dragons, Emily in Paris, and The White Lotus. These shows drew over 70 million viewers on their respective streaming platforms combined.
Game of Thrones’s Impact
The popularity of TV shows like Game of Thrones has contributed to a rise in tourism in Northern Ireland. The series was filmed in the region and has attracted an average of 350,000 tourists in recent years.
Word of Mouth
Although word-of-mouth recommendations still hold weight in traveling, with 47 percent of people attributing their travel choices to friends and family, recent research suggests that social media and pop culture have a growing influence on the travel decision of young people.
Taking The Plunge
The rise of set-jetting isn’t limited to a specific generation, though younger generations tend to be more influenced by the trend. As movies and shows are released more often, people ranging from Generation Z to the Silent Generation have taken the plunge and visited the backdrops that they had formerly only ever seen on their screens.
Pop Culture’s Impact
Some platforms contribute to the increase of the set-jetting travel trend more than others. Research shows that mobile applications like Instagram, TikTok, and Instagram directly impact a traveler’s set-jetting trip.
Breaking It Down
Platforms were more successful in persuading Generation Z and Millennials to travel than Generation X. More than half of Gen-Z and Millennials planned their vacations after being inspired by movies and TV shows. Around 29% made their travel plans based on TikTok content, Instagram influenced 46%, and Facebook influenced 34%.
Binge-watching
Binge-watching refers to a person who watches multiple seasons or episodes of a show in a few sittings. More than 55% of people have binge-watched at some point in their lives, which has likely helped accelerate the set-jetting trend.
Most Binged Shows
According to the Internet Movie Database, some of the most binge-watched shows of all time include Game of Thrones, Stranger Things, The Walking Dead, 13 Reasons Why, and The 100.
Mobile Devices
The average person spends at least three hours on their phone daily, with reports suggesting that one in five individuals spend more than four hours on their phones. Weekdays average more screen time than weekends, so it’s no wonder why the travel trend is so popular.
Ticking Time
Over the years, social media usage has increased significantly. The average person spends approximately 12 hours each month on Instagram alone.
Working or Not
An average working-age adult spends approximately 2.5 hours per day on social platforms. Productivity concerns aside, that poses a huge potential for set-jetting destination wanderlust to get the best of some people.
A Deeper Look
Recent statistics show that women tend to travel more than men, with 64% of travelers being female. This likely means that females are more inclined to set-jet.
Upcoming Trends
As we move through the remainder of 2023, new traveling trends are sneaking into the tourism industry. The latest travel trends include exploring lesser-known destinations, seeking out the local cuisine, and prioritizing mental and physical health on vacation with the “Wellness Wave” trend.
Gilligan’s Island Turned Into Painstaking Reality
Gilligan’s Island may have been fiction, but these real-life stories of stranded passengers on islands make the TV show feel all too real.
Gilligan’s Island Turned Into Painstaking Reality: 10 Stories of Stranded Passengers on Islands
10 TV Shows to Ease Wanderlust When You Can’t Travel
Are you itching to travel but can’t? Regardless of what’s preventing you from exploring a new destination, these TV shows can help fill your travel void.
10 TV Shows to Ease Wanderlust When You Can’t Travel
17 Embarrassing American Tourist Stereotypes
Are you guilty of falling into these embarrassing American tourist stereotypes? Some are harmless, many are annoying, and a few are rude.
Foreigners Spill the Beans on the 17 Annoying Signs They’re Dealing With an American Tourist
15 Most Charming Small Southern Towns
From beautiful architecture to beach getaways and mom-and-pop shops serving local food, these small southern towns give Americans a refreshing break from their busy routines.
15 Most Charming Small Southern Towns in the US to See Before You Croak
15 “Forgotten” US Cities
New York City and Los Angeles, be gone. These are the most forgotten U.S. cities that Americans want fellow citizens and foreigners to visit.
15 “Forgotten” U.S. Cities That Americans Urge Tourists to Visit
