Top 10 travel trends for 2025

The travel landscape is quickly evolving as we approach 2025. New traveler priorities, technologies, and destinations are reshaping travel planning and booking. They're also changing how people experience their trips.

From the rise of "bleisure" travel to the increasing demand for sustainability and personalization, understanding these trends is key for businesses aiming to stay ahead in a competitive market.

Here’s a look at the top travel trends to watch in 2025 and how they can help your business grow.

Travelers' needs in 2025

It's no surprise that modern travelers want a seamless and stress-free travel experience. They're looking for quick and easy solutions at every stage of their journey. Companies need to adapt their digital offers to meet their customers' evolving needs — or risk missing out.

The good news? Tourism continues to grow. Skyscanner's 2025 Planning Trends report reveals that 80% of global travelers plan to take as many or more trips in 2025 as in previous years. Nearly half plan to travel even more. But, their travel priorities, along with their planning and research methods are changing. 

Travel trend #1: Travelers seek new, off-the-beaten-path destinations

Travelers are getting burnt out from overly touristic destinations. The Skyscanner report found that over a quarter of travelers want to travel to non-touristic places. An extra 26% want to leave a positive impact on their next destination.

Expedia's travel trends report found that 63% of travelers prefer non-traditional, "detour" destinations over popular tourist spots. These add-on destinations are usually less crowded and less well-known than other tourist hotspots.

Travel trend #2: Travelers expect personalized loyalty program experiences 

Skift 2025 research found loyalty program memberships are growing. However, travelers are no longer loyal to a single program. Instead, they join several to receive the most perks possible from their chosen memberships. 

Travelers shop around and seek options that align with their unique preferences. There is an opportunity to meet their needs with personalized experiences. This can be done by introducing relevant products and offers at key points along the customer journey.

Let's say a customer is traveling to Japan for three weeks. Right before they travel, you could introduce a Japan eSIM as a loyalty perk. This personalized add-on solves a travel pain point and builds customer loyalty. 

Travel trend #3: Travelers lean towards connection with health and well-being

Apart from a new interest in "new" and "boutique" destinations, passengers also want to invest in their health. 2025 travel trend research from Booking found that 60% of travelers want to boost their health and well-being when they travel. 

Health and well-being itineraries include everything from red light therapies to cryotherapy and stem cell treatments. According to Booking, 67% of travelers are looking for wellness activities they can incorporate into daily life. 58% would pay for a vacation with the sole purpose of extending their lifespan. 

Travel trend #4: Gen Z travelers treat themselves to luxury vacations

ABTA's travel trend report found that more travelers are treating themselves to luxury vacations. Gen Z spends the most. 47% have stayed in five-star accommodation in the past 12 months, and 22% plan to spend more on their holidays in the year to come. 

According to TravelPerk, 61% of Gen Z and Millennial travelers prioritize rest and relaxation in their travel plans. Research by Expedia shows a rise in Gen Z's interest in all-inclusive resorts, with 42% saying that an all-inclusive would be their preferred hotel type.

Travel trend #5: Solo travel continues to rise

Solo travel will continue to grow in 2025. Globetrender and Amadeus research shows a 9.2% YoY increase in solo travel — a trend that is expected to continue in the year ahead. On social media, #solotravel has seen a tenfold increase on TikTok over the past three years. It also has over 10.2 million posts on Instagram, with no signs of slowing down. 

For travel companies, solo travelers present a major market opportunity. These travelers are more likely to plan ahead and book tours, accommodations, and activities before departure. You can meet their needs with offers and packages customized for the solo travel experience.

What does business travel look like in 2025?

Business travel is also on the rise. Reed & Mackay predicts global business travel spending will reach $1.48 trillion by the end of this year and $2 trillion by 2028. But what does this increase in business travel mean?

For starters, companies will need to introduce new policies to control travel spend, minimize environmental impact, and accommodate the blend of business and leisure travel ("bleisure"). 

Travel trend #6: Business travel spending continues to increase 

A rise in business travel and associated cost management will remain a challenge for travel administrators in the year ahead. Deloitte found that 58% of travel managers expect their companies' travel expenses to climb in 2025, with international trips making up a larger share of total spending. 

Managing costs is a key focus for travel programs. The CWT and GBTA Travel Outlook Report for 2025 shows that 78% of travel buyers rank cost management among their top three priorities for 2025.

As more employees travel, companies face bigger challenges in controlling costs. Factors like higher travel rates, currency changes for international trips, and unexpected expenses make it harder to stay on budget. To handle this, companies need better tools and platforms to manage travel.

Travel trend #7: Companies seek more sustainable travel options

Sustainability is a key factor for business travel managers in 2025. GBTA found that 44% of travel buyers report that their company has already incorporated sustainability into their travel program, with an additional 27% planning to do so.

What does sustainability look like for business travel? According to CWT and GBTA, 38% of travel managers report a rise in employees using rail/trains over air travel. Deloitte reports that 46% of companies now have a strategy for assigning travel emission budgets to teams and individuals. And, more businesses may lean into virtual reality and telepresence technologies to make virtual meetings more engaging and effective.

Travel trend #8: Business travelers take more bleisure trips

For employees, business travel often brings the added perk of exploring new destinations. Travel trend research by Deloitte revealed that two-thirds of business travelers have extended a work trip for leisure, with one in seven doing so three or more times. This highlights the growing popularity of "bleisure" travel — a blend of business and leisure. 

Bleisure can blur the lines between work and personal expenses. This makes reporting and reimbursement a challenge. Companies can address this by implementing clear policies that define allowable expenses and adopting technologies to simplify and streamline expense management.

The role of AI and technology in travel

Social media and generative AI are transforming how travelers research and plan their trips. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok inspire destinations, while AI tools create personalized itineraries and streamline bookings. Together, they’re reshaping the travel experience with greater customization and convenience.

Travel trend #9: Customers use technology for all stages of travel

Booking's travel trend research found that 66% of today's travelers use technology to help find and choose authentic travel experiences. And, Skyscanner reports that nearly 47% of travelers express confidence in using AI to help them plan and book travel. 

Younger generations are driving the adoption of travel technology. According to Skyscanner, over half of travelers under 55 feel confident using AI, compared to just 24% of those over 55. With 63% of 18-24-year-olds planning to travel more in 2025, there's a significant opportunity to create digital experiences tailored to this tech-savvy group.

What about airlines and travel trends in 2025?

SITA research points to a shift in air passenger demographics: by 2025, most passengers will have grown up with digital technology. As a result, 83% of air transport IT executives and CIOs expect these changing demographics to influence their digital strategies. This presents a significant opportunity for airlines to modernize their technology and better meet the needs of tech-savvy travelers.

Travel trend #10: Airline passengers want immersive and personalized experiences

For airline passengers, personalization is key — and this extends beyond takeoff. According to Globetrender and Amadeus research, airlines will focus on tailored journeys for passengers, from providing AI-driven in-flight entertainment to high-speed Wi-Fi and virtual reality.

Technology plays a big role in personalization, with the ability to reach passengers at every stage of the customer journey. SITA reports that satisfaction is highest among tech-savvy passengers. They expect airlines and airports to interact with them throughout their journey. 

In 2025, airlines will continue to do well with ancillary services that personalize. Skyscanner research shows that the top five ancillaries passengers are likely to spend on are: seat selection (35%), insurance (35%), better quality food (26%), extra baggage (24%), and airport lounge access (19%). Each ancillary caters to adding an extra layer of personalization to the travel experience. 

Prepare for 2025 with Airalo Partners

In 2025, businesses that adapt to these evolving travel trends will position themselves for success.

Focus on delivering personalized and sustainable experiences, embrace advanced technologies like AI and eSIM technology, and create seamless digital interactions to attract tech-savvy travelers. 

Whether targeting leisure seekers, solo adventurers, or business professionals, align your strategies with the trends driven by travelers. This will help you remain competitive and relevant in the ever-changing travel industry.