What can we expect from travel in 2025
The following predictions and trends for 2025 will help you travel like a boss in the coming year.
1. Try before you Buy
Metaverse and virtual reality are the future for a digitally savvy world. According to an article in Monmanorma, travel will soon be part of the digital metaverse. Travellers will be better able to plan their vacations after being able to explore possible destinations, adventures, and hotels virtually. People would be able to wander through their avatars before travelling to the place.
2. Travel costs increasing
Travel will become more expensive in 2025 due to the high fuel prices, inflationary pressures on economies, and shortages of labour across industries. Don’t let that stop you from exploring. You will be fine if you choose where to spend and save. Always be on the lookout to find offers, discounts, and deals!
3. Demand exceeds supply
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the travel sector will contribute approximately $11.1 trillion to the global economy in 2024. However, due to labour shortages, airlines and hotels may not be able to handle the surge in travellers. Cancellations, delays, and overbookings are some of the common problems.
Double-check the hotel reservation a few days before departure and use digital check-in at the airport to make things easier. Expect delays and plan your flight accordingly. Be more aware of your luggage and documents, especially at peak travel times.
4. Sustainable Travel
The younger generation today is very aware of the importance of protecting our environment. They want to travel sustainably and responsibly. Expedia conducted a study that showed 90% of respondents from 11 markets around the world look for sustainable travel options.
Airlines are doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint. Flying Green, a new French airline, will soon be launched. It will be the first airline to have zero net emissions (and also the quietest). Transavia, for example, is replacing its entire fleet with eco-friendly aircraft.
Apart from airlines, hotels, luxurious services, and even cities are adopting more eco-friendly methods. Hoteliers are moving towards digital feedback and automated check-in/out, thus saving paper. They are also reducing the use of single-use plastics and redistributing food scraps. Palma de Mallorca, a luxury cruise destination, will limit cruise ship arrivals per day to three starting in January 2023. Venice in Italy has imposed a fee on visitors.
5. “Off-season”: A fading concept
Off-season or off-peak travel is when you travel on days other than holidays or in winter, fall or spring. To avoid the crowds and to travel for less money, more people are now travelling during off-seasons. It defeats the whole purpose of travelling during off-seasons.
6. Luxury or budget – it’s up to you
After the pandemic, travellers are looking for luxury and custom-made travel to make up for lost time. Travel budgets are just as high as spirits. A Booking.com study found that 43% of respondents were willing to spend more than they had planned.
According to other sources, Indian travellers, in particular, would travel but on a tight budget. Sixty-nine per cent of Indians prioritize vacations and will invest in them, but 75% want to go on a budget.
Travel can be grand, luxurious or budget-friendly and subtle. The differences in resources, opinions and choices are vast. Travel in 2025 may be either positive or negative.
7. Venturing into the unknown
In 2025, people will embrace the unknown and explore it. According to research, people will get out of their comfort zones and find peace in the unknown. They want to learn about new cultures. They want to explore uncharted water. Not literally. They want to be surprised and delighted by new experiences.
A travel article states that ‘70% of Indian travellers would love to experience a complete cultural shock this year. 96% of Indian travellers are eager to experience something that is ‘outside of comfort’ and pushes them beyond their limits.
More insights you want? Discover the latest trends in hospitality here.
8. South East Asia is on the traveller’s radar
Tourists are increasingly interested in South East Asia. These countries are affordable, unexplored and beautiful. These countries have rich cultures, but they are mostly unexplored. These countries are reminiscent of simpler times, but they’re not old-fashioned. Although they may seem conventional, the experiences they can offer are extraordinary. According to Kayak’s forecasts, Ho Chi Min is the top trending destination in Vietnam. Searches for Ho Chi Min in Vietnam have increased by 769 per cent year-over-year. People want to explore the city’s riversides.
9. Back to Basics
The traveller is looking for vacations and getaways from city life. Nearly 64% of Indian tourists are seeking ‘off the grid’ vacations. Basic never goes out of style, even though tourists crave new experiences. Tourists are looking for a simple way to experience cultures and places. As many as 70% of Indian travellers are keen to learn survival skills while travelling in 2025.
10. Digital Nomadism
The human race has a way of working around obstacles. The concept of digital nomadism emerged during the pandemic. This term describes a person who works remotely and travels while doing so. We have returned to normality, but blending work with pleasure is part of our new normal.
The day is spent working, and the evenings are spent exploring. Digital nomads initially chose vacation rentals. Hotels have also jumped on this bandwagon. Many properties are offering extended stay discounts to attract remote workers. You can also get a balance between work and life by having onsite pools, bars, or fitness centres. A number of countries are preparing themselves for this concept. Spain’s digital visa for nomads will be launched in January 2023. In the last couple of years, other countries have launched their digital visas, such as Malta’s Nomad residence permit, Curacao At Home or Barbados Welcome Stamp.
11. The popularity of wellness trips is on the rise
Pandemics affect people not just physically but also mentally. People are seeking quiet spaces to calm their wandering, anxious minds. The sedentary lifestyle, which has been dominated by the “work from home” working style, makes people want to get away from their homes and practice mindfulness and yoga. It has become more than a luxury for many people. Unhappy with yourself, you can’t be happy with your surroundings. In 2025, we will see an increase in wellness trips.
12. Solitude Trends
According to research, solo travel will be a trend in 2025. These trips are undertaken to discover oneself. After spending a lot of time alone during the pandemic, people are looking to take a solo journey and explore themselves more.
Solo travel is not a choice that solo travellers are forced to make because they don’t have a travel companion. This trend is expected to grow in the coming years, as travellers will put their own needs and priorities before anything else, which is crucial for their well-being. According to research studies, solo female travel is on the increase. This represents 14% of female tourism.
Social media is now awash with solo travel posts. The hashtag “solo travel” has been used 9 million times. People are increasing their solo travel because they want to get away from the crowds and enjoy some space.
13. Why should only humans have the fun?
Many people adopt or purchase pets to increase their dopamine levels. They want to travel with their pets now. In 2025, more people will bring their pets on planes, to hotels, etc. Travel and tourism companies also make arrangements for pet-friendly services.
The predictions for travel in the year 2025 tell us to ‘travel with your heart in 2025 but a little responsibly’. Plan, but also allow for spontaneity and budget travel. Enjoy familiarity while exploring. In essence, the 2023 travel trends want you to do whatever you like. Period.
