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The new year has commenced, and explorers are busy devising their journeys for 2025. Data from various sources indicates that the upcoming 12 months are set to be particularly active for wanderers.
Specifically, the recently unveiled winter edition of the Portrait of American Travelers, published by travel marketing group MMGY, indicates that 8 out of 10 U.S. adults plan to take a holiday next year, marking a 7% rise compared to the winter study data from last year.
Americans are also looking to travel more often in 2025, averaging slightly over four trips per individual.
The heightened interest in travel is just one element of the broader picture regarding the industry forecast for 2025.
What will the travel landscape resemble in the upcoming year? Furthermore, what travel trends are poised to characterize 2025?
Will the slow travel phenomenon continue to rise as a favored method of discovering new destinations? Has the inclination to organize vacations around the filming sites of beloved films and TV series finally diminished? And what fresh strategies for travel planning can we anticipate?
To address these inquiries, TravelPulse consulted experts across all tiers of the travel sector. Here’s what they predict for 2025.
LEIGH BARNES, PRESIDENT, INTREPID TRAVEL
Solo female travel
The significant solo female travel movement is propelled by a rise in women seeking autonomy, safety, and profound cultural connections through adventurous yet structured experiences, according to Barnes.
Globally, females account for 80% of solo travelers — 82% for Intrepid — illustrating the increasing yearning for impactful travel that promotes empowerment and connection.
Intrepid’s Women’s Expeditions, on the other hand, have recorded an impressive 86% growth annually. These expeditions aim to offer exceptional access to women-only spaces and experiences typically restricted in mixed-gender tours.
This trend is indicative of a broader global phenomenon: females embracing freedom, building connections, and leading the charge for a more inclusive and empowering travel industry, adds Barnes.
“It’s about empowerment through adventure, security without compromise, and experiences that leave women motivated, not merely impressed,” emphasizes Barnes.
Avoiding crowded places
Fleeing overtourism and welcoming the “not-hot” has prompted Gen Z and millennials to seek meaningful, unconventional adventures.
A recent survey by Intrepid discovered that 70% of young adults aged 18-35 and 61% of U.S. adults are pursuing lesser-known destinations, shunning overcrowded tourist traps and “bucket list” clichés in favor of unique, genuine experiences.
Intrepid’s Not Hot List was developed in response to this demand, highlighting under-visited treasures — such as Guyana, the least-visited nation in South America, or Oslo, Norway, a Scandinavian hidden gem outshining its busier neighbors.
Redirecting tourism away from overrun hotspots aids in alleviating pressure on congested locations while promoting economic development and cultural preservation in regions that are eager to welcome visitors, Barnes explained.
“Travelers to these upcoming destinations enjoy trips free from the pitfalls of overtourism — no tourist taxes, no annoyed locals — while cultivating deeper connections with communities and their narratives,” Barnes adds.
With 80% of travelers still exploring only 10% of the globe, the Not Hot List transcends being an alternative; it’s a challenge to reconsider how and where we travel.
“By fostering curiosity, sustainability, and cultural interchange, this trend not only revolutionizes the travel experience but also ensures tourism serves as a catalyst for positive global transformation — one lesser-known location at a time,” states Barnes.
JAKE HAUPERT, CHAIRMAN, TRANSFORMATIONAL TRAVEL COUNCIL
Purpose and practice
In 2025, a greater number of travelers will perceive travel as a “results-focused lifestyle practice,” asserts Haupert. In other terms, travel will evolve into a practice akin to yoga, meditation, or fitness regimens designed to enhance our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
“This year, travelers will develop a deeper appreciation for travel and its capacity for enrichment and healing in our lives while accentuating the ‘why and how’ over the ‘what and where,’ which uncovers their sense of purpose and brings greater intention and a growth mindset to their travel endeavors,” Haupert explains.
This transition from the experience to the transformation economy nurtures benefits and results that are profound and lasting, going beyond mere skill acquisition or perspective shifts to finding more connection, tranquility, clarity, and confidence in our lives, suggests Haupert.
Meanwhile, tourism entities and locales adopting an experience development approach to cater to this emerging demand will thrive.
CAROLYN RAY, CEO, JOURNEYWOMAN
Solo travel becomes mainstream, with older women at the forefront
As the world’s inaugural publication for female solo travelers since 1994, JourneyWoman recognizes that solo travel isn’t a recent trend, nor is it novel, begins Ray.
“The transformation occurring now indicates that solo travel is evolving into a widespread movement. A movement gaining traction, especially among older women, who are empowered, purposeful, and possess the time and resources to travel, perhaps more than any other demographic,” explains Ray.
Additionally, research shows that women over 50 represent more than $15 trillion in spending.power in the United States alone and are the quickest-growing demographic over the next decade.
“In our latest global survey of female travelers aged 50+, 96% stated they were the primary travel decision makers in their households,” adds Ray. “The majority mentioned spending over $3,000 weekly on travel, excluding airfare, making numerous trips each year, sometimes for several weeks or even months.”
Increase in alcohol-free travel options for women
We all recognize that excessive alcohol is detrimental to our health, notes Ray. In 2023, the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse and Addiction released findings indicating that consuming more than three to six standard drinks weekly elevates the risk of developing various types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer, she adds.
“While the notion of ‘sober travel’ isn’t novel, I believe that by 2025, we will witness an uptick in women’s travel companies promoting alcohol-free tours for females,” Ray elaborates. “One of our collaborators, Sisterhood Travels, has even established an alcohol-free stamp for their wellness retreats, which feels like an excellent starting point.”
Providing alcohol-free experiences broadens the opportunities for adventure for all, while fostering personal self-exploration and wellness.
“A ‘no-alcohol’ vacation also influences personal safety, minimizing the risk of adverse interactions with medications and injuries, not to mention the apparent implications for our longevity and health,” concludes Ray.
BRADY BINSTADT, CEO, GEOGRAPHIC EXPEDITIONS
Pre-packaged holidays
Pre-packaged vacations are making a resurgence in 2025 with a digital twist, forecasts Binstadt.
Specifically, the growth of ‘one-click trips,’ fuelled by travelers’ wish for convenience and smooth planning,” Binstadt explains.
Social media now plays a crucial role in shaping destination and activity selections, crafting curated itineraries that offer immersive and Instagram-friendly experiences.
Geographic Expeditions is catering to this demand with new itineraries such as its meticulously designed itinerary to Greece, which offers a pre-packaged yet profoundly personalized experience. The 12-day journey, available in May and September 2025, guides travelers through hidden treasures in Athens, Delos, and Crete.
“Our travelers have informed us that they appreciate off-the-beaten-path, immersive experiences,” explains Binstadt. “And our new Unexplored Greece group trip has been crafted with these experiences in mind. Instead of doing what other visitors are engaging in, we take our travelers on truffle-hunting and honey-harvesting in the Peloponnesus, olive oil tasting at a family-run estate in Crete, and island exploration aboard a private yacht.”
The ‘phenomena’ list
With the success of the 2024 total solar eclipse drawing widespread travel along the path of totality, natural phenomena are poised to dominate travel trends in 2025, forecasts Geographic Expeditions.
For example, Expedia and Vrbo anticipate growing interest in rare, breathtaking natural occurrences that instill a sense of wonder and connection to the planet among travelers.
From the synchronous firefly season in the Great Smoky Mountains to the bioluminescent plankton in Vero Beach and starling murmurations in Somerset, travelers are seeking locations that highlight Earth’s most mesmerizing natural displays.
Geographic Expeditions is capitalizing on this trend with its exclusive Egypt 2027 Eclipse journey, set to launch in January 2025.
This small-group tour provides a prime viewing spot for the eclipse, combined with Egypt’s ancient marvels for an unforgettable celestial adventure. Similarly, GeoEx’s “Iceland — Land of Awe” custom itinerary immerses travelers in Iceland’s breathtaking landscapes, featuring volcanoes, glaciers, hot springs, and the Northern Lights during optimal viewing seasons, delivering both excitement and natural wonders.
LAUREN GUMPORT, VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS & BRAND, FAYE TRAVEL INSURANCE
Opulent adventure travel to secluded destinations
In 2025, luxury adventure travel is projected to soar as travelers increasingly seek once-in-a-lifetime opportunities in remote, exotic locales.
Faye Travel Insurance’s current data emphasizes Africa as a prominent region for these high-cost excursions, with locations such as Rwanda ($18,417), Botswana ($15,619), and Seychelles ($15,775) leading the pack.
“This trend is propelled by an increasing desire among travelers to disconnect, explore unspoiled landscapes, and immerse in distinctive cultural and wildlife encounters,” says Gumport. “Luxury safaris, private island getaways, and trips to destinations such as Antarctica and the Falkland Islands reflect this demand, although these adventures come with considerable expenses due to the isolated nature of these spots and the exclusivity of the travel experiences.”
European immersion travel
While premium locations dominate the high-budget trips, Europe remains the favored choice for most travelers heading into 2025.
Faye’s data reveals that 75% of American travelers are planning journeys to Europe, spending an average of $5,832 per person.
“Locations like Italy, France, and Greece continue to lead the way, driven by a craving for cultural immersion, culinary tourism, and landmark experiences,” states Gumport. “With Europe presenting a vast array of accessible travel options — from budget-friendly local hosts to exquisite luxury — this trend underscores travelers’ yearning for significant, multi-sensory vacations that balance expense and value.”
“Set-jetting” and pop culture tourism
Indeed, it appears that “set-jetting” will persist into 2025. In fact, this pop culture-driven travel is expected to flourish, especially among millennial and Gen Z travelers.
According to Faye’s survey, 12% of travelers are selecting destinations based on their favorite TV series and films, with places associated with “Jurassic Park” (Hawaii), “Avatar” (Hawaii), and “Game of Thrones” (Northern Ireland and Iceland) topping their wish lists.
“Younger travelers are increasingly using their screens as travel inspiration, spending an average of $2,357 to visit these iconic filming sites,” says Gumport. “This trend merges fandom with exploration, granting travelers the opportunity to step into their favorite cinematic realms while boosting tourism in these areas.”
JESSICA BLOTTER, CEO & CO-FOUNDER, KIND TRAVELER
Leisure travel that nurtures both individual and planetary well-being
Leisure travel, which encompasses and addresses both mental and emotional well-being as well as the well-being of the planet, is emerging as one of 2025’s defining trends, notes Blotter.
“Travelers are increasingly moving away from hurried schedules and fast-paced tourism, opting for profound, more intentional experiences that prioritize personal rejuvenation and environmental stewardship,” Blotter explains. “This method promotes prolonged stays, mindful interaction with local cultures, and lower-impact travel practices, such as train journeys and eco-friendly accommodations.”
The trend reflects a growing aspiration — especially among Gen Z and millennial explorers — to connect with destinations that encourage balance, mental wellness, and sustainability.
Post-pandemic priorities, combined with rising climate consciousness, have established slow travel as a means to cultivate both personal satisfaction and the planet’s health, continues Blotter.
“Platforms endorsing sustainable practices, community support, environmental projects, local immersion, and wellness-focused itineraries further enable this trend, providing travelers with chances to leave a positive legacy while improving their own well-being,” says Blotter.
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