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Travel is an ever-changing beast. When I started this blog, back in 2017, Instagram was the main player — everyone and their sisters wanted a picture in a ballgown on some cliff next to a beach, AirBnB was on the rise with developers snatching up apartments and turning them into short stays, very few jobs were remote. Now, not many people care for that perfectly grammable shot anymore, we know the evils of short term rentals like Airbnb, and just about any job can be done remotely.
To keep on top of these changes in travel, I ask a selection of travel professionals each year for their predictions on the coming year. I started this in 2019 and this now is my fifth such post (I missed out on 2022 and 2023 when I was less focused on this blog). Here are the previous years if you want to have a look back at what you think came true and what didn’t…
And, without further ado — what the travel pros have to say on what travel will look like in 2025.
Table of Contents
Theme-based Travel
Traveling is an incredible way to explore the world, but what if you could combine your travels with your passions?
That’s the essence of thematic travel. There is already a surge of thematic tours such as wine tasting experiences or trekking adventures. In 2025, we will see more and more people give up on collecting tourist hot spots, but instead fully embrace a deep dive into their passion at a cool new destination.
Thematic travel is all about designing your trips around the activities or interests you love, making your experiences more meaningful. There is an increasing number of travelers looking to capture authentic and meaningful memories. Thematic travel allows them to grow as individuals while exploring new places.
Whether it’s trying out street food in Taiwan, learning about the history of Prague, discovering wildlife in the Amazon, or diving with marine life in the Pacific islands. By focusing on what you love, travelers create opportunities for unforgettable experiences and personal growth that truly belongs to them.
The possibilities are endless when your hobby meets travel. Comment below! What kind of thematic trip would you like to take? Let’s inspire each other with deep and meaningful thematic travels.
Crystal, Blue Canoe Travel
Reduced American Travel to Europe
In 2025 the EES, or Entry/Exit System is scheduled to start, six months following its implementation the ETIAS, or European Travel Information and Authorisation System will take effect. These two systems are to help the European border better control who moves in and out of it.
In reality, the ETIAS is a very simple paperwork process. However, this will be the first time in quite a long time that Americans have had to go through any level of paperwork in order to gain access to Europe.
In my opinion, a few things will happen, first of all — many Americans will be caught out not knowing this is something they now need. This may happen at their departure airport when they are checking in, or it may happen when they arrive to the border in Europe.
The second thing I believe will happen is that those who do know about it will be deterred to travel to Europe at all. Though the process is very simple and once you have done it you have an ETIAS for three years, the average American traveler is very much not used to having to deal with paperwork like this prior to their travels. Therefore, I believe many people will simply head elsewhere instead.
For anyone wondering, this is not in response to the elections this year, this new process has been in the pipelines for quite some time now. European nationals are required to do similar paperwork to enter the US, so it is about time the reverse was true.
Caitlin, The Country Jumper
Plant Based Experiences
One of the major travel trends predicted for 2025 is the rise of plant-based and vegan tours, the addition of more diverse dining menus, and better hotel options (even fully vegan hotels). Many destinations around the globe, like South Korea and Denmark, have started to invest in plant-based initiatives to align with their climate goals. For multiple years, the South Korean Tourism Board has even hosted fully vegan tours. In light of this, the travel industry is responding to a growing demand for ethical and sustainable experiences.
A recent survey by Booking.com revealed that 76% of travelers say ethical and environmentally conscious food sourcing influences their travel choices, highlighting the shift toward more mindful tourism.
Large tour operators are increasingly promoting vegan-friendly options, offering plant-based travelers greater accessibility and ensuring their needs are met. From fully vegan tours to expanded plant-based menus and eco-conscious accommodations, this evolution reflects a broader movement toward sustainability. As destinations and companies embrace these changes, plant-based tourism is positioned to become a cornerstone of responsible travel in the coming years.
Rebecca, Vegan Travel
Nudist Beaches
In 2025, it seems that alternative travel for adults and couples will be a growing trend. Many couples and adults will flock to nudist beaches and towns such as Cap d’Agde in France. Swingers cruises like the ones offered by LLV and sex resorts such as Hedonism II in Jamaica will expect more travelers and diverse visitors in 2025.
Traditionally, these have been safe spaces for couples in the swinger lifestyle. As new travel generations are becoming more open towards this type of travel and looking for safe spaces, these places will see an increase in their visitors. They will receive solo travelers, single men, and others looking forward to engaging in these communities while also seeking alternative spaces that provide them with safety.
The most important thing to do while engaging in alternative travel is to research ahead of time and respect their codes of conduct.
Brenda, Traveleira
Solo cruising
I think solo cruising is going to gain more momentum in 2025. Cruises are a great vacation option for solo travelers as your hotel, dining, and entertainment are all included! And solo female cruisers can feel reassured about their personal safety since ships have a full security team.
I’ve taken several solo cruises over the past few years and the number of solo travelers is definitely on the rise. On my February solo cruise, there were about 30 solo cruisers participating in the solo group activities. But on my November solo cruise, that number had easily doubled.
And it’s not just the stereotype of older ladies taking to the seas on their own. There were quite a few men and younger folks (think 20s and 30s) in our group too!
One important thing for solo cruisers is to understand a given cruise line’s pricing for solo travelers. Some cruise lines charge a solo person twice as much (or even more!) than what one person would pay if they were traveling with a companion in the cabin.
Save money on your cruise by looking for cruise lines that have solo cabins (like Norwegian) or special offers with reduced solo supplements.
Lisa, Waves and Cobblestones
Increased Interest in South America
As someone who has spent years exploring South America, I’m excited to see more of it being brought into the travel spotlight for 2025. The inner parts of the continent, long overshadowed by safety-related stereotypes, are finally being recognized as diverse and well-developed destinations that can be safely visited.
The rising number of influencers deeply exploring South America, as well as free online guides, are helping dismantle old myths and encouraging travelers to explore hidden gems in this side of the world.
Budget-conscious adventurers who once flocked to Southeast Asia are now setting their sights on South America. With its affordability and variety of experiences, South America is becoming the natural next destination choice.
Wildlife enthusiasts, too, are catching on. When I visited Porto Jofre in Brazil — the only place on earth where you can reliably spot jaguars in the wild — I saw more foreigners than Brazilians! This shift is palpable in other destinations too; even the stunning Lençóis Maranhenses, which I visited a decade ago when it was mostly a local secret, now welcomes many international visitors.
As South America lands on more bucket lists, we can expect an even richer travel community and even better access! 2025 is South America’s year to shine, and I can’t wait to watch it happen!
Lo Lee, Carry Oner
RV Travel
RV travel is here to stay! Whether it’s a cross-country road trip in a motorhome or a weekend escape in a campervan — families, solo adventurers, and retirees are embracing the freedom of RV travel. Since its surge in popularity during the pandemic, RVing has evolved into a beloved way to reconnect with loved ones, explore hidden gems, and create unforgettable memories.
In a fast-paced world, RV travel offers a unique opportunity to slow down, unplug, and immerse yourself in nature. From discovering America’s lesser-known treasures to visiting iconic destinations, RVing provides the flexibility and freedom that traditional travel can’t match.
Make your Instagram followers green with envy by visiting some of the most breathtaking national parks in the country. Whether you’re heading west to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, or Glacier National Park, or exploring the rugged beauty of the northeast at Acadia National Park, your trip promises stunning views and endless adventures.
You don’t need to own an RV to enjoy the perks of RV travel. Renting an RV is an affordable and accessible way to hit the road in style. Today’s motorhomes are packed with amenities like natural stone countertops, spacious kitchens, and inviting sleeping areas that feel just like home—only on wheels.
Use trusted rental services like Outdoorsy or Cruise America to find the perfect fit for your needs. Many platforms even offer pet-friendly and family-sized RVs.
Several trends are fueling the ongoing love for RV travel, making it easier and more appealing than ever:
- Affordable Fuel Prices: With diesel prices projected to remain below 2024 levels, road trips will stay budget-friendly.
- Remote Work Ready: Thanks to Starlink, high-speed internet is now accessible in the most remote locations, making it possible to work from your RV.
- Low Interest Rates: Financing a new RV is more affordable, putting ownership within reach for more families.
When planning your RV adventure, make sure to book your campsite reservations early, especially for popular destinations.You’ll want to pack essentials like outdoor gear, cooking supplies, and entertainment for kids. And of course, embrace the journey as much as the destination, and leave room for spontaneous stops.
Michael, Our Campfire Unplugged
Remote Work
One trend I have been observing for some time now, that I think will be even more prominent in 2025, is people combining remote work with travel. In many countries across the globe companies increasingly embrace flexible work models, so that employees are no longer tied to traditional office structures. Online meetings make it easy to stay connected while exploring new travel destinations.
The rise of remote work is also changing how people travel. Instead of weekend trips and short vacations, many travelers opt for extended stays to combine working and exploring. On my recent travels to Portugal and Thailand, I encountered many young people who stayed in one place for several weeks, working remotely on weekdays, and exploring the region on their days off.
More and more countries are adapting to this trend by offering digital nomad visas and creating remote worker-friendly infrastructure. Destinations like Bali, Medellín, and Kuala Lumpur have become increasingly popular among digital nomads as they provide great coworking hubs, affordable co-living spaces, and strong internet connections.
Seeing this rise of digital nomadism, I wonder if it isn’t just a trend — I feel like it has rather become a lifestyle that’s transforming how people approach work and travel. I’m very excited to see how the way we work, travel, and live will continue to develop over the next few years.
Carolin, Happy When Abroad
Travel That Supports Local Communities
2025 is the year that community-based tourism starts to enter the chat. This trend surfaced a few years ago, and it’s finally going mainstream! I’m seeing this trend under discussion across Hawai‘i, as local leaders explore the development of programs that sustain communities, culture, and environment. And going into 2025, the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) has already partnered with 100+ local organizations to drive this initiative.
But this trend isn’t driven by travel boards alone. More and more, travelers are seeking out authentic local experiences rather than conventional tourist traps. Community-based tourism can mean different things to different people, but it all boils down to putting the community at the center of the experience. These types of encounters are as diverse as the communities we visit, ranging from taking part in locally-led cultural practices to shopping in locally owned stores and neighborhoods. When the resources we spend go back to the community, we’ve engaged in community-based tourism.
So what are the drivers behind community-based travel? For one, travelers are smart, and we can tell when an experience is inauthentic. Also, many of us are seeking more meaningful connections to people and places at home and away. We want to break out of our comfort zone and understand what makes a place truly special. And finally, we want our dollars to circulate back to the communities and environments we visit, ensuring our time and resources are well invested.
Jana, It’s Jana Soli
The Joy of Missing Out
As the sun set over the colorful and joyful Menton in the South of France, I sat lazily on the Plage des Sablettes, looking at the water and feeling absolutely content about how I had spent my day — doing absolutely nothing. Reading a book by the sea, hitting local cafés, and taking a much-needed break for a nap.
I could’ve been hastily exploring the French Riviera and trying to fit all the recommended towns and villages into a seven day vacation. That’s what the FOMO trend has dictated to us over the past few years, hasn’t it? To see as much as possible in a limited time, to tick places off the travel list in fear of missing out. By the end of such a holiday sprint, it always felt like a vacation after the vacation was required.
It feels like the days of FOMO are over. Might I suggest that the travel industry is ready for a refreshing antidote to this exhausting trend and is ushering in the age of JOMO—the Joy of Missing Out? An era when it feels okay to skip another stunning view, popular destination, or overrated restaurant. To ditch showing off fancy travels on social media for one simple reason: to feel connected and to stay present in the moment.
JOMO is a trend that chooses quality over quantity. It allows travelers to linger in one place for longer, accepting that missing out on a multitude of experiences means properly savoring the meaningful ones. In a way, JOMO is very similar to slow travel, with one difference: slow travel was mostly available to freelancers who had the time and means to hang out in one town for a month. Well, might I predict that these days, even those on a short seven day holiday will benefit from mindful, laid-back travel.
Inessa, The Travel Lens Blog
Voluntourism
As we head into 2025, I see a rising trend in the popularity of voluntourism, especially among Western tourists. Voluntourism is a journey driven by purpose — spiritual, social, or environmental, whereby you participate in volunteer work at your destination, most often in an underdeveloped country. The whole philosophy of voluntourism revolves around you gaining a better sense of empathy and fulfilment by positively impacting something you value.
Voluntourism is not a new concept. Tourists with financial means have long traveled to distant lands in Uganda or the slums in Mumbai with the purpose of uplifting the lives of the less fortunate. In fact, when Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of Eat Pray Love, visited India for her spiritual awakening, she was actively involved in voluntary services through the Ashram where she lived.
In recent times, though, there has been a heightened sense of environmental consciousness among travelers and this has resulted in voluntourism around environment-centric projects like the beach or mountain cleanups and wildlife conservation. Every year since 2018, UNICEF has been conducting an Everest cleanup that attracts mountaineers worldwide.
Animal conservation-based voluntourism is definitely on the rise in African and Asian countries. The most popular animal conservation volunteering center in Kruger National Park in South Africa now has several seasonal programs to accommodate and allocate volunteering responsibilities judiciously. Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Namibia are seeing a boom in volunteers for their elephant conservation projects. Bali in Indonesia now offers integrated marine conservation and PADI-certified scuba diving courses with a focus on conserving wild sea turtles.
Ashley, Plan Ashley Go
Immersive Travel
I think many people are getting sick of manufactured travel experiences that are solely designed for Instagram photos — think the “bird’s nests” in Bali or angel wing murals in Mexico. Instead, travelers are becoming more interested in more authentic, immersive experiences to get to understand a place and culture better.
For example, I recently traveled to San Pedro on Lake Atitlan in Guatemala to take two weeks of Spanish school and to do a homestay with a local Guatemalan family. The experience was an incredible value — around $37 USD per day, which included accommodations, three home cooked meals, four hours of private Spanish tutoring, and daily activities, like salsa lessons or a history tour of the town.
But what I found most surprising was how many people we met taking lessons there — the school was totally booked up during our stay and for several weeks after (which happened to be the “low season” around Lake Atitlan)! So many travelers came to improve their Spanish so that they could have more meaningful conversations with locals they meet while traveling around Central and South America or to experience a homestay in a small Mayan town on Lake Atitlan.
I think travelers are going to seek out similar experiences more — staying in smaller, locally run hotels; traveling to off-the-beaten path destinations; and connecting more with locals. So, in 2025, look for lesser-known destinations and opportunities to have more local travels — they’re often much richer than the more Instagrammable experiences!
Jessica, 90 Summers
Wellness Travel
You are standing at the popular sunset point in Santorini, where everyone is trying to capture the perfect shot of the beautifully painted sky for the ‘gram. You take a tour of the Colosseum, and people are trying to Google information about this historic wonder in Rome. For days, you find yourself sitting in front of your laptop, working diligently while ignoring the wallpaper of your dream destination that serves as a reminder of your bucket list.
There is no denying that screens have become an essential part of today’s world. But many realize that these have also taken over our entire lives. And the solution? Digital detox to rejuvenate and connect with yourself without a constant stream of notifications and information. And now that Oxford University Press has announced ‘brain rot’ as the word of the year in 2024, this digital detox is needed more than ever.
The archipelago of the Azores, where tiny fishing villages and rugged landscapes will take you away from all the hustle and bustle or Soomaa National Park in Estonia, where you can hike to be in the heart of nature are some of the best digital detox destinations in 2025. Spending 2 weeks in Europe, exploring the best of this continent without screens, can be a great option for this type of wellness travel.
Lavina, Continent Hop
Expedition Cruising
When you think of immersive travel experiences, cruising is likely not what comes to mind. As most of the cruise industry works to build ships that are big, bigger, and biggest, there is another part of the industry working to bridge the gap between those looking for the convenience and luxury of cruising while also being able to enjoy the culture and wilderness of the regions they sail in.
While expedition cruising has been around for a while, gaining prominence with partnerships like National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions. Since the pandemic it has experienced rapid growth in the luxury cruise market.
In the past five years we have seen luxury cruise lines building custom-made expedition ships with hulls rated for ice breaking and outfitted with extras like onboard submarines and lecture halls. There have also been new cruise lines created just for this market.
These ships are built to go deep into Antarctica or to cross the Northwest Passage of Canada. As people continue to crave more immersive and “once-in-a-lifetime” type experiences I can only see this subset of the cruise market continue to grow and attract those sick of the amusement park-at-sea vibe of so much of the rest of the cruise market.
Iris, Life of iris
Robotic Eating
The future of how we eat out on our travels may well be changing. Japan is leading the way, with its unique approach to innovation and efficiency. Robotic restaurants are becoming increasingly common, combining cutting-edge technology with excellent quality food.
On my recent trip to Tokyo I experienced this first hand. The only member of staff in the entire restaurant was one person in front of house. We placed all orders through a digital screen and the food was then delivered directly to our table by an automated conveyor belt. It was also absolutely delicious and comparatively cheap — not to mention a lot of fun!
It is more than a gimmick though, these restaurants cater to a fast-paced lifestyle, a big part of life in Tokyo. Offering quick meals and little interaction, without compromising on the food itself. There is clearly a benefit here to restaurant owners too — less staff means lower overheads, a more cost effective model.
Solo dining is another area where Japan has been paving the way for a little while, particularly in the big cities. Counter-only establishments and private single booths provide an efficient, no-frills experience for busy individuals or those seeking a more focused dining environment. Ordering from a vending machine at front of house, then handing it over your individual counter is something that is ideal for solo travellers or single person households.
Whether this becomes more mainstream in other countries will be fascinating to see. Do people value efficiency, or company, more for their dinner? We will have to wait and see what 2025 holds!
Chris, Global trips diaries
What trends have you been seeing in travel? What do you think the travel landscape will look like in 2025? Do you have anything planned that is new and different for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the future of the industry — comment below!
