Heading into the summer season of 2025, tourists are getting ready to experience a diverse assortment of destinations and types of vacationing based on trends set off by concern over prices and anxiety about global unrest. From time-honored classics like Paris and Rome to more offbeat escapes such as Iceland and the Azores, it seems 2025 is set to be a year of adventure — with practicality in tow. Some may be influenced by the increasing price of travel, turning to value-oriented trips or simply staying closer to home. Below is a look at some of the key trends anticipated to influence summer travel five years from now.

Trending Destinations for Summer 2025

They revisit old bucket-list destinations, the first major trend for 2025. Domestic and international destinations alike are experiencing a surge in popularity, according to flight-tracking company Dollar Flight Club. Overseas, the top-of-mind destinations are cities such as Paris, Tokyo, and Rome, along with beach towns like Cancun and Bangkok. These cities, each with its unique elements from rich culture to beautiful landmarks and lively vibes, draw tourists in every year.

Traditional top destinations domestically, such as Honolulu, Orlando and Las Vegas, New York City, and Denver, are also popular this year. These famous names are still bringing in tourists for the sights, great family fun, and general “city goodness.”

The Emergence of “Coolcations” and Shorter Getaways

Cool, as in cold similar mindset has boosted the coolcation: People are craving a vacation that’s more chilled out and less crowded, which could mean going somewhere cooler (as in temperature). Closer to two-thirds of Americans live between Texas and Georgia. These spots provide relief from the summer heat, along with lots of outdoor activities and beautiful scenery. Destinations like Dublin, Edinburgh, Reykjavik, and Copenhagen are also drawing more bookings for travelers eager to experience cooler temperatures (or fewer tourists).

Another trend is the love affair with short, surprise trips showing no signs of weakening. In the post-pandemic world, travelers are predisposed to reserve fast getaways, sometimes involving long weekends. This corresponds with a wider appetite for flexibility and increasingly frequent getaways, as people opt for places that are just an hour or two away by car or quick flight.

Cost: Cheaper and cheaper options are being added all the time.

Travel costs continue to spiral, and this is impacting how people are holidaying, as they look for the cheapest ways to get away. Based on surveys from travel industry reports, many Americans are choosing closer-to-home vacations or shorter trips to keep their spending in check. Trends to consider in affordable destinations for 2025 would likely bring you places such as Portland, Maine, and smaller U.S. towns like Sedona and Jackson (anything but Mississippi).

Travelers are also becoming more strategic about where they stay, often choosing budget hotels or vacation apartments, or crashing with friends and family. That’s because the hospitality industry has become more expensive, and travelers are seeking ways to save money while still taking a summer holiday.

Labor Day Travel Trends: A Tale of Two Stories

When we look ahead to travel around Labor Day, two degrees of separation were pretty obvious: as soon as the flights venture across borders elsewhere. Domestic flights are relatively cheaper, with average prices 17 percent lower than in 2019, according to Dollar Flight Club. Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix, and Denver, cities that are affordable and offer plenty of fun things to do will see a significant boom in travelers.

But international airfare is climbing, with some routes demonstrating price hikes of 40-60% for the holiday weekend. To get around these prohibitive costs, travelers are looking at less costly options abroad, such as Calgary, Mexico City, and Lisbon, instead of the typical summer hotspots.

Adventure and Experience-Driven Travel

2025 is when active adventure and experiential travel assume the preeminent role for travellers in general. Interest in small-group adventure tours is also on the rise, particularly for places like coastal trails of the Azores and hiking routes through the Dolomites. This shift in mindset is especially common among younger travelers who are interested in immersion and personal development from travel.

In addition to these intrepid pursuits, there’s also an increasing demand for “maximalist travel,” as one jetsetter says she is seeing more and more of in recent years—travelers trying to pack everything they can into a single trip: hitting all the must-see spots and having every experience while visiting just one destination.

How Film and Social Media Have Affected Travel Decisions

There is no question that social media has been a driver of summer tourism decisions. Travel reports that 47% of younger travelers (aged 18-34) say their trips are inspired by social media, with the likes of Instagram and TikTok influencing where they visit. TV shows and movies have also been influential, driving travelers to the filming locations of popular series like “The White Lotus,” which is set in Hawaii, as well as Italy and Thailand.

It’s further evidence of the overlap between entertainment and tourism, as sites made famous in film, television, or literature draw growing numbers to visit – for better (and sometimes worse).

Crusing and Luxury travel: new trends for 2025

Cruise bookings are also beginning to rebound, especially for high-end cruises. For some travelers, a floating resort with boundless activities and seemingly unlimited new destinations is an alluring prospect. In terms of travel booking data, 2025 is set to see a spike in luxury cruises being booked, with the Caribbean and Mediterranean emerging as major winners.

Meanwhile, luxury travel is on the rise throughout Europe—destinations like Paris, Rome, and the Amalfi Coast still top lists for those in search of swanky digs and exclusive experiences. The trend demonstrates a continued appetite for luxury travel, even amid concerns about increased costs.

Economic Concerns and Travel Choices

Economic uncertainty continues to play a key role in summer travel planning. Many travelers are tightening their purse strings and seeking less expensive getaways, shorter trips, or more travel close to home. Record-high airfare prices and inflation are leading a lot of people to choose destinations that give them the most bang for their buck, but not at the expense of great experiences.

Tourists are getting pickier over where they want to allocate their funds—at times choosing dining, cultural excursions, and adventure experiences instead of expensive luxury accommodations or high-end shopping extravaganzas.

Conclusion: The Summer of Many Options

To recap, summer travel in 2025 will be influenced by a mix of timeless trips fit for the social media era and new ways to beat the heat on a budget — with an insatiable appetite for adventure. Travelers remain cautious as economic uncertainty looms, making more conscious choices with an eye to value, shorter trips, and cheaper options. Whether returning to familiar destinations or discovering new remote corners of the world, 2025 is expected to be a diverse and unpredictable travel landscape for those who are open-minded about it.

(Source: Travel industry reports, Dollar Flight Club, HotelPlanner, Emirates, Onefinestay, Enterprise Mobility, RateGain, U.S. News & World Report, MasterCard Economics Institute, Kayak, Google, Explore Worldwide, Squaremouth, Aon Affinity, Vacasa, Hilton, Tripadvisor, Allianz Partners, Kindred, Vacasa, Deloitte, Expedia, Whimstay, Trevolution Group, Pilot and Campspot, Harvest Hosts, RateHawk, LugLess, Lodgify, Fora Travel, Classic Vacations, WorldVia Travel Group, Trevolution Group, and Classic Vacations.)