When it comes to travel trends in 2025, it's less about the "where" and more about the "why". Read here why your vacation in 2025 could be completely different.
Table of contents
- Detour Destinations: A detour to the destination
- “Goods Getaways”: shopping with a difference
- JOMO-Traveling: Looking for pure relaxation
- Phenomena-List: Get up close to the greatest natural phenomena
- Set jetting: On the trail of the film stars
When we start planning our trip again, we ask ourselves the question every year: Where should we go? And as if that wasn't difficult enough, according to Susanne Dopp, spokeswoman for Expedia and FeWo-direkt, the “why” is also becoming more and more interesting for travelers. People travel to different places not only because of the popularity of the destination itself, but also because of other trends, says the travel expert.
„When traveler interest in certain destinations suddenly increases, this is often due to external factors. Impulses come, for example, from social networks, media or films and series. Our travel trends pick up on exactly these impulses,” explains Susanne Dopp.
What impulses and trends are we talking about here? Here we present you the results of the trend analysisExpedia & HomeAwaytake a closer look.
Detour Destinations: A detour to the destination
Tourist hotspots aren't to everyone's taste, but destinations like them areParis, Milan or Los Angelesare still very popular. However, around 63 percent of travelers today are happy to take a detour to visit less touristy places before reaching their destination. Examples of so-called “Detour Destinations” are among othersReims in France,Brescia in ItalyandSanta Barbara in California, USA.
Because even if these places are not quite as well-known, they are not completely overcrowded and offer at least as many beautiful sights as the popular big cities.
Here's more on the topic:
“Goods Getaways”: shopping with a difference
“Goods Getaways” are also among the 2025 travel trends from Expedia and FeWo-direkt. This means that many people travel to destinations to buy particularly popular local products. Sure, that's nothing new at first. Because we've probably all done shopping in popular destinations before.
But while many used to travel to London, Paris and New York to shop, Gen Z in particular now has completely different shopping interests. As trends show, travelers often choose their vacation destination based on where they can buy viral products from social media channels.
A trend that is currently going through the roof on TikTok, for example, is the popular oneDubai chocolate. People from all over the world are currently traveling to the Arab city to try the delicious chocolate filled with Kadayif angel hair dough strands and pistachio cream.
Here is an overview of the trends:
- 40% of Germans go shopping in supermarkets every vacation.
- 55% of Gen Z (53% in Germany) have already chosen a travel destination based on the trend products available there.
- 44% of travelers worldwide and 46% of German travelers look for local products that are not available in their home country.
JOMO-Traveling: Looking for pure relaxation
You probably know the expression “FOMO”, which means something like “Fear Of Missing Out”. As the experts from Expedia and FeWo-direkt were able to find out, the so-called “JOMO” traveling is currently much more interesting for travelers. That means exactly the opposite, namely “Joy Of Missing Out”, i.e. the joy of missing something.
Holidaymakers prefer to look for travel destinations where they can completely relax and don’t “have to” see an endless number of cities or sights.
According to the trend analysis of travel trends 2025, around 85 percent of all travelers worldwide want a relaxing vacation in a holiday home and around 62 percent even believe that such a “JOMO” trip can reduce stress and feelings of anxiety. Ideal for a break from stressful everyday life.
Also read:
Phenomena-List: Get up close to the greatest natural phenomena
The natural phenomena that our planet has to offer also seem to be interesting for many holidaymakers. These include, for example, the northern lights, which can mainly be admired in Scandinavia. As can be seen from the trend analysis by Expedia and FeWo-direkt, around 85 percent of travelers want to see the Northern Lights in 2025.
80 percent even value staying in accommodation where the natural phenomenon can be observed directly. Lapland in Finland is particularly known for such great accommodations. Here, travelers can marvel at the Northern Lights directly from a glass-roofed hut or igloo.
Read more:
Set jetting: On the trail of the film stars
Have you ever traveled to a place just because a film or series was being filmed there? If not, this might be something for your next trip, as around 66 percent of travelers worldwide have been inspired by films, TV or streaming productions when planning their trip.
I too am part of the 66 percent. After watching the series “Emily in Paris”, I really wanted to take a look at the well-known filming locations in the French capital.
And, do you already know where you want to go next year? Maybe we could offer a little inspiration for your next trip with the 2025 travel trends. If so, please write to us on Instagram or Facebook – we look forward to your feedback!
