Technology and sustainability intersect with almost every aspect of our lives—especially when it comes to travel. A new generation stands at the forefront of a monumental shift in the travel sector: Generation Alpha. Often dubbed “mini millennials,” they are poised to redefine the essence of travel, because they have such a strong commitment to our planet while also reinventing how we use technology. 

This generation of tech-savvy travel transformers will not let the travel industry get away with greenwashing. They are holding businesses accountable, demanding tangible results, and will redefine the travel landscape for good.

The future is in the footprint

By 2040, it will be rare to see a member of Generation Alpha without a carbon footprint tracking app on their smartphone. The future will undoubtedly look far different for this generation—every Uber ride, plane journey, and trip to the grocery store will be logged in their devices, capturing their carbon footprint in real time. This won’t be a passing trend, as it underscores a seismic shift towards a more responsible form of travel.

Recent research commissioned by Intrepid Travel shows that globally, 64% of adults don’t know what their personal carbon footprint is. The good news is, 50% of adults would be willing to change their travel plans to reduce their carbon footprint, even if it’s more costly or inconvenient.

Last year, in our commitment to sustainable travel, we created a Carbon Labeling program, with the aim of providing knowledge to travelers on their own carbon footprint, making it easier to understand their impact and make better-informed decisions. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. While this is just an example, our future generations will use AI and other new tech developments to combat the negative environmental impact associated with travel.

AI can accelerate sustainability efforts

We’ve already started to see the wider impact AI is having, as more companies within the sector gravitate toward it and implement travel-related AI technologies. So far, these advancements have been beneficial in logistical planning details such as price-focused research, like finding the best rates for hotels and flights. There are countless ways AI can improve the travel process, and the path is paved for mini millennials to continue to grow and expand how we use it.

But, while we call on mini millennials to write the next chapter on how to tap AI to make travel more efficient, we also know that technology will never replace the human touch the industry needs. At its core, the travel industry is created by people for people, and that will never change. Not only can mini millennials redefine travel through technology, but we will also rely on them to keep traveling, experiencing new places, connecting with communities, and responsibly using travel as a force for good.

A promising pact between people and technology

Mini millennials are stepping boldly into the future, and we’re right beside them, ready with our aspiration for responsible travel. As a generation that was born into a new era of technological advancement, they are primed to help leverage their tech expertise for a more advanced, sustainable, and connected way of exploring.

As we embark on this exciting path, let’s not forget that the heart of travel isn’t something you can click through on a screen. Real, local, and “insider” destination knowledge is not captured in the data. Most of what people need to know only comes from word of mouth and lived experiences, which we look to this next generation to pursue by traveling to new and different places and creating wider perspectives.

We’re on the cusp of a new travel era, driven by mini millennials’ dream of a sustainable future. There is no doubt that this new generation with their passion for the planet and interest in technology will challenge the travel industry to do better—in more ways than one. I call on my travel industry peers to be open, challenge norms and hire mini millennials into your organizations; they just might have the answers to what we need to do next.

James Thornton is CEO of Intrepid Travel.