New Survey Reveals Entertainment is Driving Travel

Image: SeaWorld San Diego's new roller coaster, Emperor. (photo via SeaWorld San Diego Media)
Image: SeaWorld San Diego's new roller coaster, Emperor. (photo via SeaWorld San Diego Media)
Noreen Kompanik
by Noreen Kompanik
Last updated: 1:25 PM ET, Wed May 14, 2025

The EY organization today released its Media and Entertainment Poll (M&E) examining the perceptions, attitudes and intentions of consumers worldwide towards experiential entertainment activities such as cruises, theme parks, local entertainment, sporting events, live entertainment and casinos and resorts.

Conducted in April, 4,000 consumers were polled across the United States, Western Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Key study findings related to travel include:

  • Entertainment is driving travel: with 44 percent of global consumers and 52 percent of Americans traveling specifically for entertainment.
  • Cruises see high spend and satisfaction: with 61 percent of cruise growers spending $1000+ USD and 86 percent reporting the experiences met or exceeded the expectations.
  • Upgrades are the norm: Half of consumers who bought cruises or theme park passes also paid for premium add-ons.
  • Young travelers want more:Gen Z and Millennials are prioritizing tech-enabled, wellness-driven, and gamified experiences — especially in cruise and casino settings.
  • Sustainable features: 69 percent of consumers are willing to pay extra for locally sourced food and contributions to local communities (67 percent). Younger generations are willing to pay a 26 percent premium for sustainable features though they are generally in the lowest socioeconomic group.

Javi Borges, EY Global and EY Americas Media & Entertainment (M&E) Sector Leader, said in a statement, “At a time of global economic and geopolitical upheaval, our research shows consumers’ desire for immersive, live entertainment experiences is as strong as ever – and potentially getting stronger.”

He added, “For providers offering these experiences, this robust demand presents major opportunities. But to reap the full benefits, they’ll need to understand consumers’ varying motivations and preferences – and align their efforts, accordingly, including making effective use of technology to meet rising expectations.”


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Upcoming Webinar
Journey to HawaiiWednesday, September 30, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join us on Wednesday, September 30th, 2026 as we take a virtual journey to the islands of Hawaii....
Upcoming Webinar
The Return of Grand VoyagesThursday, October 1, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
As luxury travelers seek deeper, more immersive ways to explore the world, demand for extended voyages...
Upcoming Webinar
Who is Exoticca and bucket list destinationsFriday, October 2, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Discover the world of Exoticca and see why extraordinary travel doesn’t have to come with an...
Upcoming Webinar
Journey to HawaiiWednesday, September 30, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Join us on Wednesday, September 30th, 2026 as we take a virtual journey to the islands of Hawaii....
Upcoming Webinar
The Return of Grand VoyagesThursday, October 1, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
As luxury travelers seek deeper, more immersive ways to explore the world, demand for extended voyages...
Upcoming Webinar
Who is Exoticca and bucket list destinationsFriday, October 2, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Discover the world of Exoticca and see why extraordinary travel doesn’t have to come with an...