As the new year begins, have you thought about how, when, and where you will travel? Travel companies around the world have already considered this.
The forecasts, gathered from research data, user behavior, and future bookings, serve as an annual showcase for new ideas in the industry, from identifying future points of interest to considering how we will explore the world in the coming year.
Here are some of the main trends predicted for 2025, according to some of the leading travel companies and tour operators worldwide.
1. Nocturism
Nocturism – night + tourism – encompasses nighttime travel experiences, from museums that open late to bioluminescent beaches and aurora borealis viewing. Solar activity will be at its highest level in decades in 2025, sending higher-than-average numbers of charged particles to interact with the Earth’s atmosphere, creating dramatic opportunities for aurora viewing.
2. Calmcations
Holidays focused purely on creating a sense of tranquility continue to be popular for 2025. A report from the World Health Organization ranks noise pollution, particularly from traffic, as the second most important cause of health problems in Western Europe. Tourism companies are creating “silent escape” packages, offering a chance to get away from the clamor of everyday life and help the always-connected to disconnect.
3. Travel Meets AI
We can expect technology to play a larger role in travel planning: travel technology company Amadeus found that nearly 50% of its clients are planning to use AI in 2025. The research also noted, however, that many travel companies are still unsure how to utilize the technology.
4. The Return of Romantic Getaways
Alongside the rise of digitalization, there has been an increase in digital burnout, especially when it comes to relationships. According to a 2024 Forbes Health survey, 79% of Generation Z feels exhausted by online dating. How to solve the problem? A travel trends report from Globetrender and Amadeus includes a section on meeting new people in real life as one of its top five predictions for the year. Thus, it is easier than ever to find a trip where new friendships can blossom.
5. Uncommon Destinations
After significant issues with overtourism in 2024, uncommon destinations are on the rise. As Byway notes in its 2025 travel trends, “people want to travel where they are welcomed.”
6. Escaping the Heat
For those used to vacationing in southern Europe, the question has shifted from “where is hot?” to “where is not?” As temperatures in traditional summer hotspots around the Mediterranean continue to break records, climate change is having an increasingly significant influence on where we travel. Tourism companies reported a 26% increase in bookings to Finland and Norway in 2024 and expect to see more tourists heading to Northern Europe, where summer temperatures hover in the mid-20s.
7. Nostalgic Travel
Globetrender calls the trend “New Heydays” and notes that as Generation Y enters middle age, the holidays they loved as children will be rebooted. It expects to see adult summer camps in the U.S., a rise in interest in Eurocamp (camping holidays in continental Europe), and all kinds of retro pop-ups, such as the 2024 Polly Pocket Airbnb, grow in number. Perhaps it’s an indicator that we want a bit of a break from uncertainty and are seeking a retreat to the more comfortable world of our childhoods.
Source: BBC