Top Travel Trends Shaping 2025: Emerging Destinations and Experiences You Can’t Miss
The 'JOMO' trend is all about finding your own quiet slice of the planet to enjoy in peace
One of the best things about the travel world is that it’s ever-changing, but this also means that keeping on top of all the latest travel trends is hard work. If you want to know where you should be traveling in 2025 and what will be shaping the travel industry next year, then read on for insights from our experts. From the rise of solo travel to an ever-growing sustainable demand, it’s set to be an exciting year.
The Insightful travel trends spotlight
“We’re very excited to host ever more discerning and world-curious travelers on our ‘Business Class’ Tours in 2025, and, as always, have been keeping an eye on the trends, and destinations, prospective travelers are leaning towards,” says Ulla Hefel Böhler, Chief Operating Officer for Insight Vacations and its sister brands at The Travel Corporation.
“One trend we have seen early has been described as ‘JOMO’, or ‘the Joy of Missing Out’, which is all about finding your own quiet slice of the planet to enjoy in peace – away from the traditional tourism hotspots. Which leads to an increase in popularity for more far-flung destinations, such as Patagonia in Chile, the beautiful wilderness of countries like Finland, Norway and Iceland, or the mountain villages of Morocco – all of which you can experience in signature premium style with us, treading off the beaten path on our unique ‘Country Roads’ itineraries,”
“Meanwhile, in contrast to this, Spain, Portugal, Italy and the USA continue to be perennial favorites among prospective travelers. When it comes to iconic sights, world-leading culture and delicious food and drink (not to mention reliably sunny weather), these destinations are hard to beat,” she continues.
“Two of the more unexpected countries to emerge as leading picks among prospective travelers are Austria and Poland. Although perhaps this shouldn’t come as such a surprise, given the enviable cultural legacies, natural beauty and dynamic and diverse cities both countries boast. In Austria, Insight Vacations guests will be bowled over by the decadence of sights like Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace (which they’ll be able to explore on a private tour as an Insight Vacation guest), and wowed by a music performance in Mozart’s home city of Salzburg. In Poland, guests will meet numerous experts and locals on-tour as they gain a truly deep understanding of both colorful Polish traditions (such as artisan gingerbread baking with an artisan), and the moving history of the Auschwitz memorial and museum.”
Destination ‘dupes’ are all the rage
Travelers are looking beyond the usual suspects when it comes to a city-break with cities such as Madrid, Valencia, Malaga, and Nantes emerging as popular destinations, driven by a sense of exploration in the 2025 traveler – as more people are able to travel, they have covered more of the world and are looking for destinations that are undiscovered to them.
In the same way, interest in destination ‘dupes’ are expected to grow, seeing a +120% increase in monthly searches according to Google search data from July 2024. These off-the-beaten-path destinations draw people who want the same result without the crowds (and the price tag), with much of the education around ‘dupes’ found on social media. Albania is a very popular destination dupe for Croatia, Greece, and even the Maldives.
Solo travel is gaining more traction
A survey by American Express found that 69% of travelers are planning a solo trip in 2025, while Google searches for “solo travel” have increased by 223% over the last 10 years – and at Insight Vacations our numbers support this trend, with solo travelers making up over 7.5% of our 2025 bookings.
There are many factors that account for the rise in solo travel, whether it’s the influence of social media (#solotravel has 10 million posts on Instagram), the rise of remote and flexible working, or an increase in trips and tours catering to solo travelers. At Insight Vacations, we launched our Women-Only tours earlier this year, catering to solo female travelers seeking the safety and convenience to travel with confidence – Road Scholar’s 2024 survey revealed that female solo travelers make up 85% of all solo travelers. Either way, travelers are feeling increasingly empowered to see the world without waiting for anybody else.
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Travelers call for sustainable options
When it comes to leisure travel, the call for sustainable tourism – and holding travel companies accountable for their sustainable efforts – has never been stronger; 81% of Millennials and 79% of Gen Zs believe businesses should do more to enable consumers to make more sustainable purchasing decisions, according to Deloitte’s 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey. Interest in sustainable travel is only growing; Google search data from July 2024 revealed that monthly searches for ‘sustainable travel’ increased +15%.
We currently have at least one MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience across 93% of itineraries and our passionate Travel Experiences teams are constantly working to grow this number, finding more unique and positive impact experiences our guests can enjoy while benefiting local communities.
“Guests get to take part in one-of-a-kind MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences that directly advance the economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainability (specifically 11 of the 17 united nations sustainable development goals) – and come away knowing their travels had a positive impact on people, the planet and wildlife,” says Gemma Myhill, TTC’s Global Head of Sustainability, Partnerships & Projects. “This not only ensures we’re playing our part in global sustainable development, but also aligns to growing consumer demand for sustainable options.”
Global travelers are keeping it local
In tandem with sustainable options, travelers are increasingly searching for authentic local experiences, whether that’s in Paris or Machu Picchu. According to the Booking.com Sustainable Travel Report 2024, 71% of travelers say they want to leave the places they visit better than when they arrived (up 5% from 2023). Vacations are now more experience-based, with guests wanting to understand their destination, not just visit it. The success – and popularity – of our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences is a testament to this, as travelers are looking for ever-more unique experiences to take home with them, knowing that they’ve left a positive mark from their visit.
A move to “Coolcations” in Europe
Travelers are beginning to move away from the hot temperatures of traditional summer European destinations, as more people are experimenting with ‘coolcations’ in European countries. Google search data from July 2024 showed that searches for ‘coolcations’ increased +85%. At Insight Vacations, we can see this in increases in 2025 bookings for Finland, Denmark and Ireland. Further catering to this trend, we are extending trips on our Colours of Sicily tour; previously only available in the summer they are now running throughout the winter months.
“Traveling to destinations known for cooler climates is becoming more popular, as we’ve seen in 2024 with the rising interest in Scandinavia. But cooling things down isn’t just about the weather; it’s also about choosing the right time to visit,” says Jen Hirtle, Head of Travel Experiences EMEA.
“I love traveling during the shoulder season or even in the off-season. Not only does it mean fewer crowds and lower prices, but it often allows for a richer, more authentic experience. Inside museums or at popular attractions, tickets are easier to snag, and there’s a relaxed, welcoming vibe from the locals who aren’t overwhelmed by peak season visitors. Traveling off-peak lets you connect with a place on its own terms, finding beauty in its quieter streets, seasonal foods, and local rhythms that make the journey even more memorable.”
Last-minute decisions are on their way out
While post-pandemic vacation bookings were increasingly last-minute, that trend is now on its way out. At Insight Vacations, when looking at our 2025 departures we can see that guests booking 0-7 months before their departure date make up less than 10% of our bookings, while over 37% of our guests are booking between 8-10 months before their departure date (an increase on 2024). While post-pandemic uncertainty throughout the travel industry and a squeeze on travel spending were the reasons behind the last-minute booking trend, often the best deals can now be found by booking further in advance.
Feeling inspired for your 2025 trip? Discover the world in style with an Insight Vacations tour.
About Jess Williamson
Jess is an experienced writer and editor, with 6 years' experience working within the whisky industry. Her work has taken her to Scotland and beyond, while her personal travel highlights include backpacking around Vietnam with her sister, trips to California, Madrid, and the Greek islands.
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