Expedia has revealed the destinations and experiences it believes will trend in 2025, and agents are urged to prepare for more trips off the beaten path, holidays inspired by popular goods and television shows, and off-season travel.
According to Unpack ’25, detour destinations are among the key travel trends to watch, with 63% of those consumers polled likely to visit a detour destination on their next trip. Popular picks include Reims for the Paris-bound, Brescia for those in Milan and Cozumel as an alternative to Cancun, as well as Santa Barbara over Los Angeles and Waikato over Auckland. Trend two is a goods getaway, or people planning a holiday around an item that they cannot purchase at home. Think going to Costa Rica for coffee, Japan for matcha and Korea for skincare.
. . . Seasons & Dining
Season swapping is trend three, with clients looking to travel ‘off-season’ in an effort to save money. And the Expedia data shows that by swapping winter for summer, those heading to Cairns can save an average of 122% on accommodation in Darwin, while those swapping summer for winter can save up to 30% on accommodation in Byron Bay. Trend four notes how new restaurants are being factored into hotel choices as well as money. In fact, 63% of travellers polled said they are interested in booking an Australian hotel with a notable dining experience this year, while 30% say restaurant tables reserved exclusively for guests would make them more likely to book. Top picks include Sydney Common at Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park, Mid Air at Melbourne Place and Terasu at Ardo in Townsville.
. . . The JOMO
Trend five is JOMO travel, the joy of missing out, which is a growing desire for relaxing including secluded destinations such as beach houses and cosy farmhouses. Also notable is a growing 2025 demand to take in natural phenomenon, such as seeing the Northern Lights, volcanoes, geysers and hot springs. Set-jetting, which is travel to places seen on television screens, is also picked to remain popular. Dubai is said to be trending thanks to the Real Housewives of Dubai, Montana and Wyoming thanks to Yellowstone, and New York thanks to And Just Like That.
See the full report HERE.
