The travel industry is constantly evolving, with new trends and preferences emerging year after year. Gone are the days when simply choosing a destination was enough. Today's travelers crave unique experiences, cultural immersion, and that perfect Instagram-worthy moment. To help us navigate this ever-changing landscape, travel giants like Expedia release annual predictions based on a combination of hard data and consumer insights.
For 2023, the buzzword was "destination dupes" – more affordable alternatives to popular tourist spots that offered a similar vibe. This year, Expedia's 2025 travel forecast, compiled from booking data across Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo alongside a survey of 25,000 travelers, paints a picture that goes beyond locations. According to Melanie Fish, Expedia Brands' chief trend tracker with 8 years of experience under her belt, 2025 is all about prioritizing experiences over just ticking destinations off a list.
Fish's insights, based on Expedia's extensive data, reveal some fascinating trends that will shape how we travel in the coming year. Buckle up, because we're about to explore a world where travelers are packing extra luggage for more than souvenirs, all-inclusive resorts are making a comeback for a surprising reason, and detours to hidden gems are becoming the new must-do. We'll also delve into the enduring influence of pop culture on travel destinations and discover the natural phenomena that will be luring adventurous souls across the globe. So, whether you're a seasoned explorer or a first-time traveler, this forecast has something for everyone, offering a glimpse into the exciting world of travel in 2025. Let's not waste any more time and get to the point right now!
What's influencing travel decisions in 2025?
Source: Google Search
Escaping for the 'Goods'
For years, TikTok videos have influenced travelers. But now, this trend is spreading even further. Expedia calls it "Goods Getaways."
The company says travelers are making extra room in their luggage. They're even planning entire trips around getting goods like a viral chocolate bar from Dubai or skincare from South Korea.
Social media has also encouraged travelers to visit local grocery stores when they're on vacation like Erewhon in LA for their celebrity-approved smoothies. Data from a Global Expedia Group survey revealed that 39% of travelers visit grocery stores or supermarkets when vacationing. Plus, 44% shop for local goods they can't find at home.
All-inclusive resorts are trending
Expedia predicts that all-inclusive resorts will become even more popular in 2025. This is because bigger hotel chains like Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton are continuing to expand their all-inclusive offerings. For example, Hyatt recently launched the Hyatt Vivid all-inclusive concept, and W Hotels is also planning to open their first all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic in 2025.
According to Expedia Group data, the use of the "all-inclusive" filter on their website increased by 60% compared to the previous year. This suggests that financially savvy younger consumers are increasingly drawn to the luxury and stress-free convenience of all-inclusive stays.
A revival in hotel dining
Hotels are investing more to ensure their restaurants are destinations in their own right. This includes collaborating with renowned chefs and regularly updating menus to attract guests.
For example, Conrad Los Angeles recently opened San Laurel, a restaurant that blends Californian and Spanish influences, created by acclaimed chef and humanitarian José Andrés. In Maui, where the island is eager to welcome back tourists after a devastating wildfire in 2023, Ferraro's Restaurant & Bar has reopened as the flagship dining concept for Four Seasons Maui, being the only oceanfront open-air restaurant in Wailea.
In addition, nearly 1/3 of travelers said they would be more likely to book a hotel if it offered room service from a famous hotel restaurant. Moreover, 31% stated that having tables reserved exclusively for hotel guests would influence their booking decision.
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Rather than 'dupes,' consider 'detour'
In 2025, Expedia predicts that travelers won't overlook classic vacation spots. Instead, they'll add on another location as a quick side trip. A survey found that 63% of consumers said they're likely to visit a "detour destination" on their next getaway.
Expedia has compiled the 10 top trending detour destinations for 2025, based on increases in search activity:
- Reims, France (detour from Paris)
- Brescia, Italy (detour from Milan)
- Cozumel, Mexico (detour from Cancun)
- Santa Barbara, California, USA (detour from Los Angeles)
- Waikato, New Zealand (detour from Auckland)
- Girona, Spain (detour from Barcelona)
- Fukuoka, Japan (detour from Tokyo)
- Abu Dhabi, UAE (detour from Dubai)
- Krabi, Thailand (detour from Phuket)
- Canmore, Alberta, Canada (detour from Calgary)
The 'phenomena-list'
The upcoming total solar eclipse in 2024 is expected to spark a surge in travel along the path of totality, according to Expedia. Travel booking platforms and tourism organizations are already anticipating increased demand for accommodations and travel packages in areas that will experience the total eclipse.
Vrbo has identified several natural events that are likely to attract travelers in 2025, including the synchronous firefly season in the Great Smoky Mountains of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, the penguin parade on Phillip Island near Melbourne, Australia, the bioluminescent plankton in Vero Beach, Florida, the "Black Sun" starlings' migration in the Wadden Sea National Park, Denmark, the ballet of Japanese cranes in Hokkaido, Japan, the Bay of Fundy in Canada, known for its world-famous tides, the starling murmurations in Somerset, United Kingdom, and the mesmerizing Northern Lights in the Lapland region of Finland. These unique natural phenomena are expected to draw a significant number of travelers seeking unforgettable experiences.
'Set-jetting' remains popular
If you think the term that entered our everyday speech in 2023 is going to disappear, think again. According to Fish, "The White Lotus effect" is going strong in 2025. "2/3 of travelers say that movies, streaming services, and TV shows have influenced their travel decisions, which is a 16% increase from last year."
Some of the destinations on the forecast for next year's set-jetting are inspired by reality shows, such as The Real Housewives of Dubai and The Traitors, which were filmed in Scotland.
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Have you ever heard something about off-site parking? If not, we recommend you take a closer look at this part of the article, as this information will be handy for those who prefer to travel by air and get to the airport by their own car.
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How does it work?
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Obviously, people who chose a car as a way to get to the airport want to leave their vehicle safely while traveling and not to face the problems we described above. So what can off-site airport parking offer its customers?
Although a few miles usually separate such parking from the airport, you shouldn't worry about this. Off-site parking provides free shuttles going back and forth between the parking lot and the airport. Thanks to this, it removes any worries about getting stuck in traffic on the way to the airport during peak times. So all you need to do is choose the best time for you and inform the parking lot staff.
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