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- In 2025, travelers will seek lesser-known, distinctive destinations, moving away from heavily touristy locations.
- All-inclusive resorts are drawing a broader spectrum of travelers, including Gen Z, with more diverse and luxurious options.
- Family vacations encompassing multiple generations are becoming more popular, with families emphasizing shared experiences and grandparents often assisting financially.
A new year brings fresh opportunities for travel.
Regarding where and how we’ll be traveling in 2025, a variety of trends will influence everything from our chosen destinations to the activities we engage in during our vacations. Whether you are an adventure enthusiast or a digital detoxer searching for a slower pace, here are the trends that will shape your family’s travel experiences in 2025.
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1. A quest for off-the-beaten-path experiences
You may feel like you have experienced it all. Or perhaps you are worried about overtourism and the influx of crowds at popular holiday destinations. Regardless of your motivations, you and countless other travelers might be inclined to stray from the typical locations in 2025 in search of hidden treasures and less frequented spots.
“Individuals are pursuing smaller towns and more genuine local experiences,” says Christina Bennett, consumer travel specialist for Priceline. “I would label 2025 as the year of purposeful travel. Travelers desire to explore unique locations where they can have tailored experiences. They wish to live like locals rather than visiting tourist hot spots; it’s about genuinely experiencing a new culture, connecting with locals, and forming new relationships.”
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The adventure tour company Backroads, for instance, has noted a rise in interest for destinations such as Belfast and Newfoundland, with tours like its Canada Gulf Islands Multi-Adventure Tour and Norway’s Ålesund Multi-Adventure Tour gaining popularity among travelers. Expedia Group’s compilation of “detour destinations” features places like Brescia, Italy, and Fukuoka, Japan.
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Indeed, the utilization of the “all-inclusive” filter on Hotels.com has surged 60% compared to the previous year. “The all-inclusive filter on Hotels.com has truly been put to the test over the last year,” remarks Fish. “Users are relying on it with growing regularity. Furthermore, all-inclusives no longer provide a homogeneous experience characterized by three daily buffets and unlimited well margaritas at the swim-up bar.”
You can discover a biohacking menu at the spa at Grand Velas Riviera Maya, overwater suites at the adults-only Royalton CHIC Antigua, swim-up suites with vibrant theming at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya, as well as chances to swim in a cenote and engage with nature at Sandos Caracol Eco Resort in Playa del Carmen.
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“All-inclusive resorts are not all made equal, but established brands are thriving in this domain,” shares Erika Richter, vice president of communications for the American Society of Travel Advisors. “I believe part of the reason is that travel has become significantly more intricate. There are an abundance of options available, leading to decision fatigue for many when it comes to planning. By the time they’re ready to embark on their vacation, it’s often a question of where can I go to mentally switch off and not have to contemplate meals and activities?”
3. Memory-creating multigenerational vacations
In the realm of family vacations, “the more, the merrier” will remain a prevalent notion. “Last year, one in five travelers embarked on a multigenerational trip, making it one of the leading travel trends for 2024,” states Annie Roberts, senior vice president of club and owner services for Club Wyndham, which recently conducted a survey of 2,000 American travelers in collaboration with Talker Research to understand travel tendencies for 2025. “In 2025, travelers are eager to create even more unforgettable journeys with their families.”
A 2024 survey conducted among North American families by Beaches Resorts discovered that 50 percent of parents surveyed would prefer a multigenerational getaway instead of a vacation with just their children. Furthermore, 57 percent of participants desire to establish new family traditions centered around vacations with their grandparents, and nearly 70 percent of parents actively wish for their children’s grandparents to accompany them on more family trips.
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Among those surveyed, all-inclusive resorts, cruises, and vacation rentals will continue to be favored choices for large family trips. “An all-inclusive allows for a collective experience on a multigenerational trip without being all together constantly,” remarks Expedia Group’s Fish. “Individuals can engage in their own activities and then reconvene for meals or throughout the day. Additionally, no single person has to take charge of making all the reservations and arranging transportation. It’s a more stress-free approach to enjoying a family vacation.”
Grandparents will be instrumental in facilitating these types of journeys. Data from Booking.com reveals that 45 percent of Baby Boomers and 40 percent of seniors over 80 prefer to invest in a family trip of a lifetime in 2025 rather than leave an inheritance for their offspring. Moreover, regarding sponsoring these excursions, around 80 percent of Boomers are content to fund their children and grandchildren to travel together.
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“These journeys enable older generations to finance meaningful, once-in-a-lifetime experiences for their families while forging enduring memories,” comments Angela Cavis, head of communications at Booking.com. “Family-oriented destinations that provide adventure and relaxation, such as national parks, beach retreats, and ski lodges, are likely to remain in demand.”
4. Embracing the outdoors both day and night
The pandemic fueled a revival of interest in and appreciation for outdoor experiences, a trend that persists as time goes by. Indeed, a recent survey from Campspot indicated that 82 percent of travelers are interested in or planning to embark on nature-focused trips in 2025 to alleviate the pressuresof daily existence.
National and state parks continue to be favored choices for these types of retreats, yet last year’s solar eclipse has additionally motivated explorers to elevate their adventures in pursuit of extraordinary experiences. This is why occurrences such as the Northern Lights will shape where and how people journey in 2025.
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“We anticipate an increase in ‘NocTourism,’ referring to travel connected to natural occurrences like eclipses or the Northern Lights,” remarks Booking.com’s Cavis. “More than half of Americans are contemplating visiting Dark Sky destinations for unobstructed stargazing, and 52 percent would embark on a trip for a once-in-a-lifetime solar phenomenon. We witnessed the onset of this trend with the solar eclipse earlier this spring, and its popularity is projected to rise.”
Vrbo has compiled a “Phenomena-List” packed with additional suggestions for trip ideas, such as the Yosemite Firefall in February and synchronized firefly season in the Great Smoky Mountains in June. “I attribute the total eclipse for initiating this trend in 2024 when private vacation homes surrounded by nature, away from city lights, all along the path of totality, completely booked up,” states Expedia Group’s Fish. “People were truly energized by having that prime viewing opportunity with nature, igniting their desire for more.”
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Travel operators will also assist families in pursuing their most ambitious dreams in 2025. Among the new experiences unveiled by Intrepid Travel for 2025 is a six-day Iceland Family Holiday that encompasses visits to waterfalls and crater lakes, in addition to a quest for the Northern Lights, while Backroads has included its Iceland Northern Lights Multi-Adventure Tour among its highlighted offerings for 2025.
5. The pleasure of unwinding
In recent years, travelers packed numerous activity-laden journeys to essential destinations after the pandemic interrupted travel. This year, anticipate a growing recognition for a slower tempo and vacations that emphasize family bonding instead of merely ticking off a list of sites.
Expedia Group refers to it as the “joy of missing out.” “It’s a twist on the notion that travelers were motivated by FOMO,” details Fish. “Now, individuals are yearning for time spent together and realizing one way to achieve that is to take a different path when others are going in the opposite direction. Rent that private getaway home in the mountains or a more secluded locale, where your main activity can be simply unwinding. It truly embodies what a vacation once represented—a reprieve from the noise and commotion of daily existence and a moment to recharge.”
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Travelers will also adopt this mindset when discovering new cities and countries. “Instead of cramming numerous destinations into a single journey, tourists are choosing a slower travel experience that permits them to immerse in fewer locations for an extended duration,” asserts Stacey Barber, vice president of AAA Travel. “This might include multi-destination train journeys, road trips, or prolonged stays in one area.”
6. Traveling for concerts and additional experiences
Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour has significantly influenced the cultural realm over the past year and more, with numerous fans discovering the joys of merging a concert experience with travel to a possibly unfamiliar destination. Data from Expedia, for instance, revealed that interest in Indianapolis surged by 120 percent in anticipation of the city’s fall 2024 Eras Tour dates.
A multitude of U.S. residents also traveled to cities like London or Paris to attend the tour events there. “Individuals realized they could amalgamate a trip to Europe with an opportunity to see their beloved artist at a similar cost, if not less, than what they would have spent in the U.S.,” notes Expedia Group’s Fish.
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“I believe people have come to understand that they can merge a passion for following their favorite artist or sports team with travel to create a truly unique experience,” comments Priceline’s Bennett. “I foresee that we will continue to see individuals organizing trips centered around sporting events and concerts or even new journeys inspired by their passions.”
Those passions might also encompass beloved TV series and films. “The temptation of ‘set-jetting’ is captivating travelers, as they venture to the enchanting sites portrayed in their favorite films and TV shows,” mentions Club Wyndham’s Roberts. This could involve following in the footsteps of Emily in Paris, capturing the charm of Gilmore Girls in a quaint New England town, or viewing London through the perspective of Paddington Bear.
7. Planning for travel regardless of circumstances
Financial difficulties may currently dominate the headlines, yet many people will find avenues to travel regardless of what the economic future holds. “Irrespective of the economy, travel remains a highly valued discretionary expense,” emphasizes Priceline’s Bennett. “It’s premature to predict how 2025 will unfold economically, but we firmly believe that travel will continue to be of high priority.”
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Valuable travel experiences can be unearthed across the financial landscape, from opulent resorts and cruises to camping excursions andaffordable accommodation choices. “Financial constraints will always substantially influence how individuals travel, affecting both destination selections and travel habits,” states AAA Travel’s Barber. “Nevertheless, we observe that even when financial resources are limited, individuals will find a means to travel, whether by reducing other expenditures or opting for nearby destinations.”
Fortunately, numerous methods exist to economize on vehicle rentals, flight costs, or accommodations; and road excursions have consistently provided an entertaining alternative to venturing to more distant locales. Inexpensive vacation spots or economical resorts can also assist in keeping vacation expenses manageable.
“Americans maintain a strong longing to explore, yet they are conscious of expenditures, which is prompting travelers to become more resourceful,” mentions Club Wyndham’s Roberts. “Seventy percent of travelers conveyed their resolve to keep exploring as much, if not more, in 2025. To realize their travel aspirations despite increasing costs, 50 percent of travelers have already reserved funds for next year’s escapades… For 2025, 52 percent of travelers identified cost as their primary criterion in selecting a vacation spot.”
7 travel trends will shape how and where you vacation in 2025 originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.
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The views and opinions articulated in this column belong to the author and do not necessarily represent those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are managed by Vacationist Media LLC. Utilizing the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we assess and choose family vacation concepts, family holiday locations, all-inclusive family resorts, and traditional family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided excursions and tour agencies, reviews of tour operators, reviews of tour itineraries and recommendations for travel gear.
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