Five Travel Trends Poised to Shape 2025: Insights from Our Travelers
2024 - The Year in Numbers:
Our Most Common Traveler:
The traveller profiler we saw the most was a 31-year-old female spending 3 weeks in Indonesia.
Travel Habits:
The average trip lasted 21 days, with 21.8% of trips extending beyond 3 months.
Top Destinations:
Indonesia topped the list, followed by Thailand, Vietnam, and Tanzania.
Destinations Visited:
61.7% of travelers explored more than one country, while 11.9% visited five or more.
Reflecting on 2024, key travel trends included a rise in remote, nature-centric escapes, wellness-focused trips, and sustainable travel options that allowed travelers to immerse themselves in local cultures and landscapes with minimal environmental impact. Last year, 81% of our travelers sought affordable getaways, 54% chose beach destinations and 31% ventured on Safaris.
The latest Unpack ’25 report from Hotels.com suggests a dynamic shift towards an even more personalized mix of exploration, adventure, and luxury in 2025. This report, conducted by Expedia Group and Hotels.com, surveyed 25,000 travelers across 19 countries, including 2,000 Swiss respondents, to identify the following five leading travel trends for the coming year. Here`s a recap of the report with some insight from our our clients traveled in 2024:
2025: Five Travel Trends Poised to Shape the Year Ahead
1. A Renaissance in Hotel Dining Experiences
Hotels are transforming the way travelers dine, offering curated experiences from fine dining to casual eats. Reviews of hotel restaurants on Hotels.com grew 40% year-over-year, with Swiss travelers leading the trend.
Where Our Travelers Went in 2024:
Thailand and Vietnam were favorite food hubs, with dishes like pho and pad Thai delighting travelers. For 2025, explore Buenos Aires, Argentina, for world-class steak paired with Malbec wine, or Mumbai, India, where luxury hotels offer modern takes on traditional Indian flavors. If you want to read more about these locations, our blog series Wanderlust Chronicles has entries for both Argentina and India from our team members.
2. Set-Jetting: Where Fiction Meets Reality
Travelers are increasingly inspired by film and TV settings. Nearly 75% of Swiss respondents expressed interest in visiting destinations featured in iconic shows like Game of Thrones (Croatia) or The Lord of the Rings (New Zealand).
Where Our Travelers Went in 2024:
Tanzania’s Serengeti and Namibia’s dunes evoke film-like grandeur. In 2025, the mountain kingdom of Bhutan and Kenya, home to rich landscapes seen in countless nature documentaries, offer immersive cinematic experiences.
3. The Resurgence of All-Inclusive Resorts
All-inclusive vacations are making a comeback, particularly among families and Gen Z travelers seeking ease and luxury.
Where Our Travelers Went in 2024:
Costa Rica’s beachfront resorts and Indonesia’s tropical escapes were favorites. For 2025, try Mozambique for secluded island resorts or the Philippines, where eco-friendly all-inclusives combine pristine beaches with sustainability.
4. Experiencing Natural Phenomena
From the Northern Lights to volcanic wonders, awe-inspiring natural experiences continue to captivate travelers.
Where Our Travelers Went in 2024:
Tanzania’s iconic wildlife and Iceland’s dramatic volcanoes were highlights. In 2025, discover Rwanda, home to unforgettable gorilla trekking, or Chile’s Atacama Desert, where the night sky reveals a blanket of stars unmatched anywhere on Earth.
5. Exploring Hidden Gems Away from Tourist Crowds
In 2025, the quest for quieter, less-crowded destinations will only grow.
Where Our Travelers Went in 2024:
Namibia’s quiet dunes and Sri Lanka’s tranquil beaches stood out. For 2025, venture to Guyana for lush rainforests and waterfalls, or Lencois Maranhenses National Park in Brazil whose dunes lagoons were recently added to Unescos World Heritage list.
What’s Next for Our Travelers?
As 2025 approaches, the desire for meaningful, personalized travel continues to shape plans. Whether dining at world-class hotel restaurants, shopping for treasures in local markets, or venturing into hidden gems, our travelers are redefining the essence of exploration.
Where will your next adventure take you?
References
https://www.hotels.com/magazine/travel-trends-unpack-25/
https://www.travelandleisure.com/best-places-to-go-2025-8739580