There was a time when a dog-eared guidebook, a rail pass, and a massive backpack were all young travelers needed to explore Europe or Southeast Asia. They squeezed into night buses, slept in noisy hostel bunk beds and dined on street food, with the only fixed point in their itinerary being the return flight home. Getting lost was part of the adventure.

For today’s Generation Z travelers, that no longer holds the same appeal. They want to minimize discomfort and safety risks while maximizing efficiency, convenience and enjoyment — qualities group package tours are typically known for.

"I was anxious about planning an overseas trip to unfamiliar places for the first time," said An Ju-hee, in her mid-20s. "A package tour felt like a smarter choice than going solo. It eased my concerns, while making it possible that I follow the itinerary I wanted."

Shin Sae-ha, 24, recently went on a trip to Mongolia as part of a package tour offered by a major travel company.

“With long travel times between destinations and limited infrastructure, I found the package tour’s organized transportation far more efficient,” she said. “I also enjoyed programs that included staying in traditional 'Gers' and trying authentic Mongolian cuisine, experiences I might have missed if I’d gone alone.”

Now, don’t be mistaken. Young people choosing package tours today aren’t signing up for the same kind of tours you might associate with the past. These aren’t the tightly scheduled, shopping-heavy itineraries offered at unrealistically low prices. Instead, they blend the freedom of independent travel with the convenience of guided programs, often in smaller groups made up of people of similar age and interests.

An, who opted for a package tour for her first overseas trip as an adult due to anxiety about handling travel logistics on her own, said she chose a tour designed exclusively for people in their 20s.

"Participants were grouped into teams of 4–8, and their identities were verified through registration," she explained to The Korea Herald about the tour she joined. "I would recommend it to travel novices like me who want to enjoy the freedom of independent travel with added support and security."

Taking a step beyond age-restricted group tours, a new trend known as “mingling tours” is emerging among Gen Z travelers.

Unlike traditional package tours, where strangers often remain strangers throughout the itinerary, mingling tours intend to foster friendship and a sense of camaraderie among travel companions. These tours incorporate guided activities such as games, self-introduction sessions and sharing past travel experiences to encourage interaction. A group chat is also created before departure, allowing participants to build rapport in advance.

“(Mingling tours) quickly gained popularity by inviting influencers as hosts for themed trips, which align with the preferences of travelers in their 20s who prioritize personal interests over conventional sightseeing,” said an official from Hana Tour, the largest travel firm in South Korea.

"Our tours have consistently sold out, and we’ve added additional sessions due to high demand.” Since last year, the tour company has conducted eight trips, earning an average customer satisfaction rating of 4.71 out of 5, the official said.

Racing through jam-packed itineraries to check off every major landmark, like squeezing France, Switzerland and Italy into a single week, is no longer the biggest draw for Gen Z travelers. For them, traditional sightseeing takes a back seat to experiences that reflect their values and interests.

Hence, specialized, theme-based tours are emerging as the new norm.

Sports-themed package tours led by influencers and international marathon trips for running crews are particularly popular among travelers in their 20s. For example, a tour in England dedicated to fans of Son Heung-min, the Korea-born captain of Tottenham Hotspur, would include live attendance at English Premier League matches and behind-the-scenes access to stadiums, including locker rooms and training facilities for players. These itineraries also feature iconic sightseeing spots in London.

“We were able to quickly bond with others who shared similar interests in sports,” said one young traveler who joined a football-themed package tour. “Many of us also enjoyed experiences like listening to live commentary from sports influencers who joined the tour, something that would be difficult to arrange when traveling alone.”

Some package tours even cater to environment-conscious tourists, arranging visits to small South Pacific islands threatened by climate change, on top of immersive cultural experiences such as visiting local markets and sharing traditional meals with locals.