This Just In: Young People Like to Party

As if the old-timers in our midst needed further evidence of Generation Y’s devil-may-care attitude, a report on global travel trends (PDF) recently revealed a rise in “debauchery tourism.”

The Guardian has the scoop:

Hard drinking, gambling, and strip clubs are all on the bill as 25- to 34-year-olds embrace the adult version of the American "spring break" (where college students take to the beaches to party for a week) with a "work hard, play harder" ethic.

Topping the list of debauchery destinations is, unsurprisingly, Las Vegas, followed by increasingly hedonistic hotspots Buenos Aires, Cape Town, and Macau. The Guardian cites such examples as more hotels in Vegas throwing pool parties and offering personal cabanas with lounge chairs and tables, ranging in price from $1,000-5,000 per day, as well as cruise lines that are amping up their on-deck 24-hour entertainment.

According to the report, prepared for the annual World Travel Market event held last week in London:

Waiting longer to get married, young adults have more time to enjoy their youth before settling down and many are ensuring that they make the best of it—traveling to experience the wildest parties and relive their college spring breaks. Furthermore, age is no obstacle because 40 years old is the new 30, which is the new 20.

… Social networking, blogs and video websites, such as Youtube.com and Facebook.com, are likely to fuel the fire as consumers post pictures, journals, and videos of their debauchery at different destinations—spreading word of mouth on the hippest party destinations.

Though IT admittedly likes a big night out from time to time, we can’t help but lament the lack of authenticity and sustainability in such gluttonous travel itineraries. After all, how can you enjoy the experience if you can't see straight? Thoughts from the peanut gallery?

Photo: Manny Santiago

Comments

[Emily Haile]

I just stumbled upon an Australian tour company called Thirsty Swagman, which offers an around the world pub crawl. Talk about debauchery! http://www.worldsbiggestpubcrawl.com/

[Raoul]

Even while in college, I wasn't attracted to those things. Now, at 31 years, my idea of a wild night is one spent at home, watching classic movies or cartoons with my wife. Sometimes we stay up till 2 or 3 am! Woo hoo! :-D

As for what these other people are doing, to each their own. Everyone reaps what they sow in the end... In their case, I suppose it's premature aging, baggy eyes, bad reputations and livers, empty bank accounts and possibly even STDs...

There's a peace that comes from being able to enjoy the simpler pleasures of life that can't be matched by the highs promised of any of these hedonistic distractions.

[suzer]

This from a country whose young people travel all over Europe on stag parties turning lovely European hot spots into a nightmare of English drunken-ness...

-An American Expat Abroad