Travel trends and top destinations in 2025
- Cinti
- Dec 9, 2024
- 5 min read
The travel trends for 2025 reveal a significant shift in travelers' preferences, driven by the accelerating pace of global change. As people seek to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, they are increasingly prioritizing peace, relaxation, and sustainable, authentic experiences. What major trends will shape the travel market next year? Read on to discover where you might want to go.
Solo travel
The popularity of solo travel has already shown significant growth in 2024, and based on current booking data and estimates, this trend is expected to continue into 2025. More and more people are seeking opportunities to spend quality time alone, to relax and reflect. Such trips can not only provide a chance to recharge and gain deeper self-knowledge but also to make new acquaintances. Although solo travel may seem lonely at first, it's actually quite the opposite: it offers the opportunity to meet new people and even make new friends. Whether it's a backpacking adventure or a quiet retreat in a tropical location, the demand for solo travel remains strong. In recent months, more and more social media groups and posts have appeared where solo travelers are looking for companions to explore their destinations. Although it may seem paradoxical, solo travel can help us step out of our comfort zone, try new things, and thereby increase our self-awareness. At the same time, we don't have to adapt to anyone; we can do whatever we want.
Quietcation and digital detox
Spending a lot of time in front of screens has become an integral part of our everyday lives, whether it's relaxing in front of the TV or scrolling on the phone. We often spend our free time this way, not to mention that many people sit in front of a computer for at least 8 hours a day because of their work. However, new trends encourage us to enjoy the opportunities offered by retreat: put the phone aside and focus on the present. The former FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is being replaced by JOMO (Joy of Missing Out), which allows you to reduce stress and spend quality time with experiences that recharge you. Whether it's a calm, slowed-down trip, where relaxation and the experience of the moment come to the fore, or time spent with loved ones, when we really pay attention to each other, this provides a kind of escape from the overcrowded everyday life, helping you slow down and truly relax.
Detour or substitute destinations
This trend encourages us to discover hidden gems instead of popular, bucket list-like destinations. In recent years, London, Paris, Cancun, Seoul, and Sydney have been among the most frequently chosen destinations. However, the new wave prefers alternatives to these places, which are also beautiful and offer plenty of options, but with fewer crowds. At least, that was the case until now.
The phenomena list
Interest in unique, special natural attractions remains unbroken. Even in 2025, many people will want to tick off bucket list experiences such as observing the aurora borealis, seeing the volcanoes of Iceland, or witnessing the blue plankton glowing off the coast of Florida. To be honest, Iceland is a destination on my bucket list too!
Set-Jetting
If we thought that the era of movies influencing travel decisions was over, we were very wrong! In Bali, even now, a trip is available that goes through the locations of Eat, Pray, and Love. In 2025, the main inspiration can be provided by works such as The White Lotus (Koh Samui, Thailand), Outlander (Scotland), or Emily in Paris (Paris), and I could list more. If I had to choose with such motivation, I would go through the locations of the Lord of the Rings universe in New Zealand.
Top destinations in 2025
Next year's top lists are already available on popular forums. National Geographic, for example, recommends destinations such as Guadalajara in Mexico, Bangkok in Thailand or Raja Ampat in Indonesia. Although these may be a bit more expensive for Hungarian travelers, the article also contains European recommendations. Lonely Planet has also compiled an impressive list, which includes the capital of Armenia, Yerevan, Slovenia, Trinidad and Tobago, Paraguay, Lithuania, and Toulouse in France. If you are interested in more details and ideas, you can check out these articles by clicking on the links.
Personal bucketlist for 2025
If I had to compile a top list for next year, from the places that are on my bucket list, it would look a little different. Although I would love to go to all of the above places, without exception, the first place for me is a roundtrip, through Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. I've been to Thailand before, but it's been 14 years, so it's time to go back. Morocco has attracted me for years, but I would definitely travel there when it is not 40 degrees. It's a long-time dream of mine to see the Great Wall in China or to go to Japan during the cherry blossom season (not mainstream at all, right?) and get a closer look at the mystical world of geishas. We've also thought about going to Zanzibar many times, but somehow we always ended up somewhere else. Last but not least, if we think about Europe, Albania is high on my bucket list. Yes, you read that right! The excellent value for money is a strong attracting factor, making beach holidays accessible not only to wealthy Western Europeans. The country boasts rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty, with one of its coastlines often referred to as the European Bora Bora.
The anticipated travel trends for next year mirror the current global landscape. In our fast-paced, hectic, and stressful lives, we often suffer from a shortage of time, while the digital world and social media deeply infiltrate our lives. Most travelers will be seeking an escape from the pressure, regardless of their background. The list above is not exhaustive; many other trends will emerge, offering excellent opportunities for everyone to find something that suits their needs or to try something entirely new.
My personal travel style has been a blend of seeking hidden gems, avoiding the most popular destinations, and balancing relaxation with adventure. Since starting my travel blog, digital detoxes have become more challenging, but I've learned to minimize screen time by reading a book and unwinding instead. I'm excited to see what 2025 will bring! Knowing ourselves, we're bound to have many adventures.
Thanks for reading! Have I piqued your interest? Check out my related article too and if you have any questions, write to me or leave a comment! If you found it useful, don't forget to click on the heart icon and share it with others.
Források: Forbes, TimeOut, CNBC, Lonely Planet, National Geographic, turizmus.com, Booking.com, belmond.com
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