The study, which combines interviews with over 40 industry stakeholders and survey responses from hundreds of multi-day tour operators globally, will be discussed at the inaugural Multi-Day Track at Arival 360 in Washington DC, taking place from September 30 to October 3, 2025.
Key trends emerging from the research include:
- Gen Z solo travel surge: Platforms such as TourRadar report that nearly half of bookings now come from solo travelers, with younger Millennial and Gen Z women leading this trend.
- Shorter, themed itineraries: Pop-culture-inspired tours, such as those linked to TV series like The White Lotus, are reducing average trip lengths from nine to seven days, while appealing to niche, story-driven travelers.
- Luxury demand from older US travelers: American couples over 50 are spending 4,000–5,000 euros on bespoke European experiences, significantly higher than the €3,000 market average, indicating strong appetite for premium themed journeys.
- Shifting geography of demand: Close to half of new bookings are targeting emerging destinations and secondary cities, contributing to the dispersal of tourism away from over-visited hubs.
- Technology disparities: While 75% of bookings on major platforms are instantly confirmed, many small and mid-sized operators still rely on manual processes, making it difficult to meet the demands of real-time distribution channels.
“Gen Z is rewriting the travel playbook,” said Douglas Quinby, CEO of Arival. “From solo women travellers to influencer‑driven itineraries, these shifts are redefining how multi‑day tours are designed, marketed and sold.”
“Operators who still rely on spreadsheets are the first to feel the friction as distribution channels demand real‑time APIs and instant booking,” added Quinby.. “Closing that tech gap is critical for growth.”
First-ever Multi-Day Track at Arival 360 | Washington DC
Arival 360 Washington DC will, for the first time, feature a full track dedicated to multi-day tours. The initiative reflects growing interest in the segment and its strategic role within the wider experiences economy. The Multi-Day Track will offer workshops, roundtables, and in-depth sessions on distribution, technology, marketing, and operations.
One key session, Distribution for Multi-Day: What’s Working. What’s Not. What’s Next, will explore how distribution models are evolving, what’s driving bookings in 2025, and how operators can navigate commission structures while maintaining profitability.
Travis Pittman, CEO of TourRadar, will headline the Multi-Day Track and also contribute to discussions at the AI Forum for Destination Experiences.
With the introduction of this track, Arival is expanding its role in fostering digital transformation across the travel experiences sector – aiming to bridge the gap between traditional tour operators and the expectations of today’s tech-enabled marketplace.