The Rise of Travel Planning TikToks: A Generational Divide or Harmonious Division of Labor?

The digital age has revolutionized travel, not only in how we explore the world but also in how we document and share those experiences. A new trend has emerged on TikTok, offering a humorous glimpse into the dynamics of travel planning within friend groups and couples. These short, often self-deprecating videos highlight the contrasting roles individuals play in orchestrating a vacation, from meticulous planners to carefree passengers.

The trend typically involves showcasing each person’s contribution to the trip, often culminating in a comedic reveal of the individual who contributed little to no planning. This playful ribbing reveals underlying personality differences and the ways in which people navigate the often-stressful process of organizing a getaway.

Hannah Henderson, a 24-year-old nonprofit worker, exemplified this trend with a TikTok video filmed during a trip to Clearwater, Florida. The video showcased how she and her friends divvied up the responsibilities: booking the Airbnb, securing a pontoon boat ride, and making dinner reservations. Her husband, Brady, provided transportation by driving the group from South Carolina but otherwise took a relaxed approach. The video playfully highlighted Brady’s lack of involvement in the planning process, culminating in the joke that he contributed "none."

Henderson, a self-proclaimed planner, contrasts with her husband’s "go with the flow" attitude. This contrast, she joked, made him the perfect subject for the TikTok, willing to "take the hit" for comedic effect. The video resonated with many viewers who recognized similar dynamics within their own relationships and friend circles.

Claudia Torres, a 26-year-old engineer, created a similar TikTok during a trip to the Dominican Republic. The video showcased Torres’s role in booking flights and hotels, while her partner, Victor, played the part of the passive traveler. Torres explained that the video was a way for them to "make a joke out of it" and highlighted how their different strengths complement each other. While Torres enjoys the excitement of vacation planning, Victor finds it stressful. However, at home in Toronto, Victor takes on more domestic responsibilities, such as cooking, while Torres focuses on organization. Torres explained that taking a step back on vacation allowed him to recharge and equalize household duties. Having previously visited Punta Cana, she felt confident navigating the planning.

Ashton Preston, a 27-year-old from Dallas, posted a TikTok from a trip to Santorini, Greece, that he largely organized as a surprise graduation celebration for his girlfriend, Kayla Jackson. While they typically split travel planning, with Preston handling flights and Jackson researching activities, he took the lead this time with the help of a travel agent. Jackson still made some dinner reservations, including one at Barolo, a Mediterranean eatery where they filmed their video.

Beyond the humor, these TikTok videos also shed light on the strategies people use to plan successful trips. Henderson’s group utilizes a shared note in the iPhone Notes app to brainstorm destinations and research accommodations. They "brain dumped" potential destinations, ranging from Arizona to New York, before narrowing their focus. Henderson and another friend then took the lead in researching Airbnbs within their budget, sharing links in the shared note.

Torres relies on "spreadsheets and Google Maps" to organize her travel plans. She considers her travel companions’ budgets and researches deals, such as post-Thanksgiving sales, while also seeking recommendations from travel TikTok creators. She creates detailed spreadsheets outlining costs and shares them with her travel companions for approval.

Preston utilizes Google Flights and Hopper to analyze flight options and prices. For Henderson, the TikTok serves as a reminder of the fun they had planning and experiencing their trip.

The popularity of these travel planning TikToks reflects a broader cultural trend of documenting and sharing personal experiences on social media. These videos offer a relatable and humorous take on the often-complex dynamics of travel planning, resonating with viewers who recognize similar patterns in their own relationships and friend groups. They also highlight the diverse approaches people take to organizing a trip, from collaborative brainstorming to meticulous spreadsheet planning.

Furthermore, these videos touch upon the shifting gender roles and household responsibilities within relationships. While some videos perpetuate stereotypes of women as the primary planners, others showcase a more egalitarian division of labor, where partners contribute based on their individual strengths and preferences. The trend ultimately celebrates the importance of communication, compromise, and a willingness to laugh at oneself, even amidst the chaos of travel planning.