Dark winter days are prime time to plan your next getaway. Expedia’s travel trends for 2025 report used booking data from its site, Hotels.com and Vrbo, along with with insights from 25,000 global travelers, to predict the evolving preferences of modern adventurers.
“I’ve been tracking travel trends for eight years and this year, more than ever before, is about experiences as much as places,” Melanie Fish, chief trend tracker for Expedia Brands, told Travel and Leisure.
Here are five highlights from its report.
Detour destinations
The era of cookie-cutter itineraries is over. Travelers are increasingly venturing beyond tourist hot spots, with 63% planning to include lesser-known destinations in their trips this year. These “detour destinations” offer authentic experiences with smaller crowds and unique perspectives. Think Reims, France, instead of Paris, or Santa Barbara, California, instead of Los Angeles.
Goods getaways
Shopping has evolved from a casual vacation activity to a primary travel motivation. “TikTok has redefined what makes a souvenir,” Fish said. The data shows 44% of travelers specifically seek local goods unavailable in their home countries.
From luxury Korean skincare to artisanal French butter, travelers are planning trips around unique purchases. As Fish noted, “Social media has also inspired travelers to visit local grocery stores when they’re traveling, like Erewhon in LA for their celeb-approved smoothies.”
All-inclusive renaissance
The all-inclusive vacation is back and better than ever, with Gen Z leading the charge. Searches for all-inclusive stays jumped 60% year-over-year on Hotels.com, thanks to the promise of luxury and stress-free planning. Resorts like Hyatt Vivid and Secrets Playa Blanca are at the forefront of this trend.
Natural phenomena travel
Natural events inspire unique journeys, from Iceland’s volcanic landscapes to Florida’s bioluminescent plankton in Vero Beach. The top natural phenomena travelers want to experience include the Northern Lights (61%) and geological wonders like volcanoes and geysers (30%).
‘Set-jetting’ holds strong
Television and film continue to influence travel decisions, with two-thirds of travelers noting pop culture as a factor. “Yellowstone” sparked interest in the Mountain West region of the United States, while “The Traitors” turned its Scottish filming location, Ardross Castle, into a must-see destination. The castle’s vast grounds, complete with rivers, hills and a church, have such appeal that producer Mike Cotton told Variety it should become its own theme park destination.
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