Research shows American travelers will reject tradition, rewrite the rules and take travel in new directions in the year ahead
NEW YORK, Oct. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — According to Booking.com’s annual Travel Forecast Survey*, travelers will rewrite their plans in 2025, break traditional vacation rules and spend time on themselves and their loved ones. It became clear that I would forge new connections with people. The people you meet and the destinations you visit on your journey. Whether it’s rewriting expected norms of travel based on age, gender, or simply what society thinks travel should be for everyone, courageous travelers break out of familiar patterns. , finds personal growth through personal journeys.
“Travel plays a central role in bringing people closer together, and our research shows that over the next year, Americans will It shows that they are trying to cultivate a deeper sense of connection and togetherness.” “The trends we see emerging heading into 2025 are those that set traditional travel aside and make room for more non-traditional experiences that embrace and embrace uncertainty. Fortunately, the travel industry Booking.com is a technology that makes it easier for Americans to experience the world in a more personalized way, aligned with the trends and tastes that matter to them. , and remain committed to contributing to the positive impact of travel in 2025 and beyond. ”
Here are Booking.com’s travel predictions for 2025.
Ski travel: Baby boomers will be more cautious and push the boundaries of intergenerational travel
Forget about a peaceful retirement. Baby boomers are rewriting the rules when it comes to travel and showing the rest of the world what it means to live your best life. “Ski” trips are on the rise, but not on the slopes. This is because parents and grandparents do not drain their savings, but change their priorities based on their children’s inheritance (SKI). By 2025, two-fifths (41%) of American parents would rather spend money on a once-in-a-lifetime trip than leave a legacy for their children. Of these, 45% are baby boomers and 40% are silent generations (over 80 years old).
But next year, this trend will become more of an altruistic approach. By paying for their next vacation, older relatives want to spread money to younger generations to help them overcome the cost of living crisis. A majority of Americans (51%) admit that their parents already paid for a vacation or part of a vacation when they were growing up, but boomers are willing to pay for their children and vacations at 77%. % can influence the increase. 81% are willing to pay for a grandchild when booking their next trip. Prepare for even more multi-generational travel with Mom and Dad’s bank or Grandma and Grandpa’s bank.
However, in 2025, not only will baby boomers open their wallets, but emerging generations will also be thrill-seeking in 2025, contrary to previous age and traditional expectations. More than a third (37%) of this generation are interested in a vacation that involves something. Adventurous (up from 17% in 2024**), 20% are keen to venture beyond their established comfort zone, reconnecting with the reckless abandon of youth.
NocTourism: Travelers will lose their minds to the clouds while keeping an eye on celestial happenings, cool weather, and the magic of midnight.
As space tourism becomes more of a reality, in 2025 U.S. travelers will turn to more achievable space exploration and focus on building connections with space. More than half of Americans (59%) are considering avoiding the daytime crowds for midnight magic. Visiting dark sky destinations with star bathing experiences (63%), star guiding (55%), once-in-a-lifetime space events (52%), and constellation tracking (52%) top the list of astral adventures It is listed in.
Concerns about climate change are also influencing this change, with half (50%) planning to increase their nighttime activities to avoid rising daytime temperatures, and one-third (33%) of Americans planning to increase their nighttime activities to avoid rising daytime temperatures. %) prefer to spend their holidays in cool places. UV protection is important to 57% of Americans who say they plan to spend less time in the sun, but more than half (52%) are more active in the evening or early morning when the sun is hot. I expect to plan. It’s the worst.
Appreciation for the night world also deepens American travelers’ connection to nature, as the majority (52%) book places to stay without lights to reduce light pollution and protect flora and fauna. It is expected. .
Boyz II Zen: Men are willing to let go of their bravado and embrace an introspective male journey
Booze and bravado are taking a backseat, as men tend to favor male travel rooted in happiness, self-empowerment, and empowerment of vulnerability. As cultural shifts advance conversations around men’s mental health and societal pressures, moments that combat loneliness and prioritize more mindful connections will become more prevalent during travel. Almost half of Americans (46%) say they would encourage a man in their life to go on a men-only trip, jumping to 69% of Gen Z and 65% of Millennials.
American male travelers are willing to let go of societal expectations and “bro culture” cliches to rest and rejuvenate (27%), embrace personal growth (27%) and switch off from the stress of everyday life (19%). ), seeking mental health benefits (18%). Building connections, both old and new, is very important, with a quarter (25%) looking to form new friendships and 19% looking to develop relationship-building skills with friends and family. 12% would consider going on a men-only trip to deal with any bad feelings. Loneliness.
And, even more surprising, women are the most likely to convince the men in their lives to go on an all-men trip, with 54% putting their partner first, 29% putting their friend first, 24% putting their sibling first, and 14% putting themselves first. I recommend that you do so.
The Gate Escape: Airports become destinations, not just stops along the way
As American travelers reshape the start of their 2025 vacations to embrace a new era of airport entertainment, the days of arriving “on time” to avoid lingering in crowded lounges after security are gone. it’s over. More than a quarter (27%) are interested in visiting somewhere for the airport, and 57% are interested in airports that offer more unique experiences and facilities.
But Gen Z and Millennials will accelerate this trend. Of these, 53% are keen to consider destinations based on airport, rejecting stressful stereotypes and choosing sleep pods (28% Gen Z, 33% Millennials) and spas (34% Gen Z). %, Millennials 34%) prefer luxurious experiences. ) to Michelin-starred restaurants (15% Gen Z, 22% Millennials). With this reversal of thinking, American travelers are expected to turn any missed connections into transit options next year.
Vacations start long before you even get on the plane, as more than half (52%) of American travelers say having more pre-flight amenities would make their trip more enjoyable and less stressful. It will be. In 2025, the beginning of a journey could be just as exciting as the destination.
Passport to longevity: Demand grows for travel experiences that play a role in living longer, healthier lives
More than half (52%) of American travelers say they would pay for a vacation solely designed to extend their longevity and happiness, making 2025 the first year of their long remaining lives. There is a possibility.
Vacations are no longer just a time to relax. Driven by a desire to cultivate better lifestyle choices, nearly half (49%) of American travelers are interested in longevity retreats. This is a radical change to the traditional health itinerary, replacing temporary solutions in the pursuit of a longer, healthier life.
From body vibration (48%) and red light therapy (47%) to cryotherapy (32%) and stem cell therapy (35%), deep activation is top of mind. More than half (57%) are looking forward to new wellness activities they can incorporate into their daily lives to help them feel more balanced, such as learning about timed coffee drinking (30%) or IV therapy (29%) I’m looking for.
Vintage voyages: Travelers rethink souvenirs and choose unique antiques to commemorate their travels.
In 2025, vacation wardrobes will undergo a makeover as fashion-forward travelers transform into vintage Voyagers, visit thrift stores on vacation, and curate more sustainable suitcases. More than a third (38%) of U.S. travelers say they’re interested in shopping for their vacation wardrobe during their trip rather than before, jumping to 59% of Gen Z; Almost three-quarters (74%) of people who say they visit thrift stores during the holidays have already bought vintage or second-hand items while abroad.
No doubt influenced by both cost and climate consciousness, this change is not just about style, it’s also about staying informed. Finding a bargain at a thrift store is the adventure of 2025, as 58% of American travelers plan to be frugal while traveling and 67% are tightening their budget plans to get the most out of their experience. It will become a very important part of More than a quarter (27%) of fast fashion and mass consumerists say they find higher quality products at vintage shops overseas than at home, and 29% shop for vintage goods while on vacation to find better bargains. I answered that I would buy it.
Recycling trips are now more than just shopping, as travelers are interested in bringing home items that tell a story. It’s a way to bring cultural connections back to your home country while making choices that are environmentally friendly and wallet-friendly. Beyond fridge magnets, vintage clothes will become next year’s new souvenir option
AI = Alternative Itineraries: Travelers leverage technology to source more travel experiences to meet their unique needs and expectations.
New technologies are already helping travelers find experiences tailored to their needs, but in 2025, people will travel more respectfully, be mindful of the health of the places they visit, and be more specific. innovation will be used to meet the needs of diverse travelers. needs and expectations.
Almost two-thirds (62%) believe they will use technology to make informed decisions that have a positive impact on the places they visit. AI-powered tools like Booking.com’s AI Trip Planner will play a pivotal role in shaping these trips, and U.S. travelers will apply a more responsible perspective to how they use technology. It is also expected that In 2025, nearly half (49%) of American travelers will share the location on social media when visiting a lesser-known destination to avoid keeping it a secret and encouraging the Instatourist crowd. I wouldn’t tag it. Technology can equally play a role in finding alternatives to share without the guilt of overburdening regular hotspots, with 61% willing to use technology to find less crowded areas. I’m here.
Because they think and process information differently, neurodivergent travelers will focus on their needs in 2025 and leverage new and evolving technologies to revolutionize the way they experience the world. It will be. More than two-thirds (67%) of travelers who identify as neurodivergent are interested in AI tools that provide up-to-date travel information, delay reports, and suggestions for quieter, less crowded spaces at airports and hotels. have. 67% want more sensory rooms at airports, hotels, and other locations, while 77% want more options to “block out the noise” throughout their travel experience.
For more information on Booking.com’s 2025 travel predictions, visit Booking.com/2025-travel-trend-predictions-report.html. To download the Global Travel Forecast 2025 report, please visit https://news.booking.com/.
Contact details
If you have any questions, please contact Kelly Wells at kwells@hs-pr.com.
methodology
*The Travel Predictions 2025 survey was commissioned by Booking.com and surveyed a sample of adults planning to travel for business or leisure in the next 12 to 24 months. The survey was conducted among 1,006 respondents in the United States. Respondents completed an online survey from July to August 2024.
** The Travel Predictions 2024 survey was commissioned by Booking.com and surveyed a sample of adults planning a business or leisure trip in the next 12 to 24 months. The survey was conducted among 1,005 respondents in the United States. Respondents completed the online survey in July 2023.
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Source Booking.com