Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.20867/thm.32.1.3
How do mental health and information sources influence younger tourism choices? Evidence from a generation Z survey
Micaela Pinho
*
Sofia Gomes
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Purpose - Generation Z belongs to a new youth travel segment, which is already the one
with the highest growth. They were exposed to internet technology from birth and grew up
in a challenging economic, social, and environmental context, which may have shaped their
tourist decisions. This study intends to investigate (i) the main motives to choose a tourist
destination and the in-destination activities preferred by members of Gen Z, and (ii) the
influence of youth’s emotional well-being, translated into anxiety and depression states and
tourism information sources on their destination choice and in-destination activities.
Methodology/Design/Approach - An online questionnaire was applied to collect data on
young Portuguese people, obtaining a sample of 305 participants. The quantitative analysis
was performed using the Partial Least Square (PLS) method.
Findings - We found that (i) depressive and anxiety states enhance economic and convenience
motives in choosing a destination and encourage engagement in wellness activities, and
(ii) information sources influenced the motives to choose a destination and in-destination
activities with emphasis on convenience motives and wellness activities.
Originality of the research - This study is the first to explore Gen Z tourism behaviours shaped
by anxiety and depression states and dependence on information sources.
Keywords
Generation Z; youth tourists; anxiety; depression; information sources; tourism destination; in-destination activities.
Hrčak ID:
345114
URI
Publication date:
4.3.2026.
Visits: 252 *