It’s the time of year when travel experts come out of the woodwork to predict trends for the coming year. Some of these trends are real and based on actual data while others are simply wishful thinking. I analyzed a ton of different trend stories to tease out those predictions that were the most common and therefore the most likely to actually come true. Here’s what I found.
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Detour destinations are emerging
Expedia calls them” detour destinations”, but other experts use terms like “Untouched Tourism”. Either way, it’s all about travellers making conscious choices to visit lesser-known destinations to escape the crowds that result from overtourism. This means that more obscure destinations like Reims, France; Brescia, Italy; and Cozumel, Mexico are going to be popular in 2025. If that’s the case, then maybe you actually want to go somewhere that isn’t included in their list of predictions.
“Detour Destinations are less well-known and less crowded than popular tourist hotspots, but these rising stars are well worth putting on an itinerary, either as an add-on or as the new, final destination”, says Expedia.
Astro-tourism is lighting up the night
Forget crowded beaches and theme parks. In 2025, travellers are looking to the skies to see something new. Astro-tourism is all about travelling to places with minimal light pollution to enjoy the celestial phenomena. This trend is not only driven by a renewed interest in science and nature, but a growing realization that we have lost touch with the beauty of the night sky in our light-polluted cities.
“Astro-tourism – not holidaying in space but travelling to witness celestial phenomena – has steadily been growing over recent years, and looks set to be a huge driver behind trips in 2025,” writes The Independent.
Luxury is on the rise and so is doomspending
Baby boomers and older generations are choosing to spend their money on unforgettable travel experiences rather than leaving an inheritance for their children, a phenomenon that some refer to as “doomspending.” Booking.com reports that almost half of travellers, particularly baby boomers (49%) and the silent generation (40%), are embracing this trend. This suggests that people are prioritizing enjoying their lives now over leaving a financial legacy. Travel companies are recognizing this trend and offering products that cater to this desire for once-in-a-lifetime experiences and luxury travel is booming. This means that luxury hotels, resorts and cruises are likely to see a surge in bookings in 2025.
“Luxury travel was a $239 billion business in 2023. McKinsey predicts it will grow to $391 billion by 2028,” reports TravelAge West.
Solo travel is soaring
Solo travel is on the rise as more people choose to explore the world on their own. Adventure travel company Flash Pack’s 2025 trend report revealed a whopping 69% of travellers were planning on going solo this year and Google searches for “solo travel” have skyrocketed by 223% over the past decade. This trend is being driven by a number of factors, including a desire for independence, a quest for self-discovery and a need to escape the stress of everyday life. Could it also be connected to the loneliness epidemic everyone talks about?
“This London-based company (Flash Pack) now boasts a 60% audience hailing from the U.S. looking to book their solo itineraries for travellers in their 30s and 40s”, says Top Travel Trends to Watch For in 2025.
Wellness is booming
Wellness tourism is experiencing remarkable growth, with an annual increase of 16.6%, according to the Global Wellness Institute. Travellers are increasingly looking for ways to improve their physical and mental health while on vacation. This means that wellness retreats, spas and hotels that offer healthy food options and fitness activities will be in high demand in the coming year and probably beyond.
“A new trend, Silver Bullet Wellness, is emerging, in which luxury travellers seek treatments for issues like insomnia, cognitive decline and disease prevention,” Lauren Gumport, Vice President of Communications & Brand at Faye Travel Insurance told TravelPulse.
