Travel Trends
Top Travel Trends for 2025: From Train Journeys to Sustainable Holidays
Saturday, July 12, 2025
As we move into 2025, the world of travel is evolving yet again. After navigating the challenges of the pandemic, travelers are now seeking more profound, meaningful experiences. There’s a clear shift towards sustainability and adventure, with many opting for train journeys through the picturesque landscapes of Europe or embracing the freedom of solo travel. These emerging trends highlight a growing desire to connect with places on a deeper level, explore the unknown, and make more thoughtful, conscious choices while traveling.
1. Train Travel: A New Age of Rail Renaissance
Train travel has been steadily gaining momentum over the past year, and it’s expected to grow even further in 2025. As travelers seek alternatives to pricey airfares and look for sustainable options, the “rail renaissance” is taking center stage. According to government travel experts, advances in rail infrastructure and technology, particularly in Europe, are making train travel a more appealing option. The introduction of new sleeper trains and rail routes will offer travelers a unique way to explore Europe, offering scenic journeys that planes simply can’t match. As sustainability becomes a priority, train travel is becoming more attractive to eco-conscious travelers, especially for those keen to reduce their carbon footprints.
2. Air Travel: Cheaper Flights on the Horizon
2024 marked an unprecedented rise in air travel costs as airlines worked to recover from the pandemic’s financial toll. However, government reports indicate that airfares are expected to decrease in 2025 as airlines increase competition by reopening canceled routes and adding more flights. As airlines expand their networks, travelers will enjoy more options and better deals. The return of previously suspended long-haul routes, especially between Europe and countries like Australia, will give many the chance to return to global adventures at more affordable prices.
3. Deeper Connections: The Desire for Authentic Travel
In 2025, travel will be less about checking off famous landmarks and more about building meaningful connections with the places visited. According to findings from government tourism agencies, travelers are seeking out authentic experiences that allow them to immerse themselves in local cultures. 62% of travelers are learning local languages to better engage with locals, and cultural immersion has emerged as a top priority. This shift toward genuine, authentic experiences is prompting travelers to choose destinations that offer something deeper than a tourist attraction.
4. Overtourism and Slow Travel: The Growing Demand for Balance
Overtourism remains a significant concern for global tourism boards, especially in destinations like Venice. With increasing awareness about the environmental and social impacts of overcrowded tourism hotspots, more travelers are embracing slow travel. By opting to visit less crowded destinations or traveling off-season, tourists can enjoy a more relaxed, authentic experience while supporting local economies in a sustainable way. Government tourism offices are actively encouraging these trends, promoting places that offer quieter, off-the-beaten-path experiences, particularly in less-visited regions of Europe.
5. The Curious Traveler: Discovering the Road Less Traveled
2025 will see a rise in travelers opting for lesser-known destinations. As overtourism continues to affect popular cities, travelers are choosing destinations that are off the beaten path. According to government travel surveys, countries like Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan are becoming increasingly popular, as travelers yearn for new experiences away from the crowds. The appeal of these “hidden gems” is not just in the novelty, but also in the ability to support local communities and economies, helping to diversify the global tourism sector.
6. Active Travel: The Adventurer’s New Playground
While 2024 was largely about cultural and relaxing holidays, 2025 is shaping up to be the year of adventure. With a growing interest in physical activities, travelers are seeking hiking, biking, and other active experiences that get their adrenaline pumping. Government tourism bodies report an uptick in the demand for active itineraries, especially in destinations known for their natural beauty, like New Zealand and the Alps. As travelers crave more physically engaging and immersive trips, the travel industry is responding by offering more active options that blend adventure with social connections.
7. Solo Travel and Last-Minute Departures
The trend of solo travel continues to grow, particularly among Gen-Z and Millennials. Government reports show that the desire to explore the world independently is now a mainstay in travel trends. Solo travelers are no longer waiting for friends to join them; they’re taking spontaneous trips on their own. In fact, 73% of travelers say they would book a trip within 10 days of departure, emphasizing the rise of last-minute travel. The flexibility and freedom that solo travel offers are expected to remain a key trend in 2025, as more people embrace the idea of venturing out on their own.
8. Mindful Travel: Sustainable Choices Take Center Stage
Sustainability is not just a buzzword—it’s becoming an integral part of how people approach travel. According to government-backed studies, over 90% of travelers are now actively considering sustainability in their decisions. Whether it’s opting for eco-friendly accommodations or choosing to travel to destinations that are committed to reducing their environmental impact, travelers are becoming more mindful of the effect their vacations have on the planet. The trend is particularly strong among younger generations who are pushing for greener practices within the tourism industry.
9. Pop Culture-Inspired Holidays: From ‘Game of Thrones’ to ‘Emily in Paris’
As the influence of pop culture continues to grow, travelers are increasingly planning vacations around their favorite TV shows and films. Whether it’s a trip to Sicily after watching The White Lotus or a visit to Croatia inspired by Game of Thrones, pop culture is shaping travel in 2025. According to research, 67% of travelers have been influenced by movies or TV shows in their decision to travel abroad. Destinations featured in hit series are seeing a surge in tourism, offering new opportunities for fans to connect with their favorite fictional worlds.
10. Digital Nomads: The Rise of ‘Out of Office’ Travel
Lastly, the ongoing trend of digital nomadism is evolving. Although “bleisure” travel saw a rise in 2024, more travelers are now prioritizing personal growth over career commitments. A significant portion of travelers, especially Millennials and Gen-Z, are opting to disconnect completely from work while on vacation. The need for relaxation and self-reflection is driving this shift, and government reports indicate a surge in demand for destinations that cater to long-term stays, remote working, and wellness retreats.
Looking ahead to 2025, the travel world is transforming. More and more, travelers are making mindful choices—whether that means choosing sustainable journeys or diving into truly authentic, immersive experiences. From taking scenic train rides through Europe’s stunning landscapes to discovering hidden gems off the beaten path, the future of travel promises to be about adventure, connection, and living in the moment. With these exciting trends on the horizon, it’s clear that 2025 will offer globetrotters unforgettable opportunities to explore the world in a more meaningful way.
MADRID – In 2024, the cruise industry reached a record 34.6 million passengers worldwide, 9.3% more than the previous year, and by 2025 this figure is expected to increase to 37.7 million. Furthermore, by 2030, the global cruise market is expected to generate revenues of 18.35 billion dollars with a compound annual growth rate of 12.9%, according to the ‘State of the Cruise Industry 2025’ report published by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
Faced with this solid expansion of the cruise sector, the International Tourism Trade Fair is responding to this global tourism trend and is offering the strategic opportunity of connecting with a dynamic market with great potential at the fifth edition of FITUR Cruises from 21 to 25 January at IFEMA MADRID.
Organised in collaboration with online magazine Cruceroadicto.com, the event will debut a redesigned space in Hall 4 of the Trade Fair Centre that will combine the exhibition area, the central auditorium and the Cruise Market business area, which in 2026 is gathering together the largest number of cruise lines and auxiliary industry companies.
FITUR Cruises’ dual strategy: B2B and B2C approach for a personalised offer
Over the course of the trade visitor days -Wednesday 21, Thursday 22 and Friday 23 January – FITUR Cruises 2026 will connect the key players that drive the sector’s solid performance and will offer an interesting programme of conferences. This will contribute to boosting cruise sales, reinforcing their public image as a holiday option and promoting awareness among sales agents and travellers.
Cruise Market will be the heart of FITUR Cruises 2026, acting as a meeting, work and business point between cruise lines, destinations, ports and tour operators, as well as between these actors with the trade visitor and the end traveller. For its part, Cruise Campus will continue with its innovative system of 25-minute talks and mini-courses focused on areas such as marketing for travel agents, who account for approximately 50% of the industry’s turnover, communication and the travel experience from all angles and with a more practical approach.
At the weekend, when FITUR opens its doors to the general public, the Cruises area will reinforce the loyalty of cruise passengers and organise awareness-raising activities on this type of tourism, bringing travellers closer to the diversity of the offer, which includes family cruises with attractions and a wide range of on-board leisure activities to ultra-luxury cruises with helicopters and submarines; premium and upper premium cruises offering fine dining; expedition lines; river cruises, or cruises specialising in a specific geographical area.
In addition, visitors can also take part in the fifth edition of the Cruise Scavenger Hunt, a big treasure hunt among the FITUR stands, as well as the popular Café & Cruises meeting where passengers can share their on-board experiences.
Cruceroadicto Awards, the only awards voted by the Spanish-speaking travel community
On Thursday 22 January, FITUR Cruises will be hosting the IV Cruceroadicto Awards ceremony, the only ones voted 100% by the Spanish-speaking travel community and certified by the AENOR mark for their commitment to transparency and impartiality. During the event, the best ship, cruise line and port of 2025 as well as the different sub-categories will be revealed.
The article FITUR Cruises 2026 reaffirms its commitment to the booming cruise holiday industry first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.
Travelers are blending business with leisure, seeking cooler climates, and working from inspiring new locations, but the hotel industry has largely remained unresponsive.
The data may not yet fully reflect the volume of these burgeoning trends, but this signals a crucial opportunity for proactive hoteliers to move beyond generic offerings and capture a growing market of guests seeking higher value and tailored experiences.
The disconnect between trending topics and hotel actions is apparent. Standard hotel offerings leave many travelers in these emerging categories underserved. Hotels have a clear opportunity to differentiate themselves and build guest loyalty.
Instead of waiting for overwhelming statistical evidence, savvy hoteliers should be at the forefront, shaping their services to meet and exceed the expectations of these new traveler personas. Here are three key actions hoteliers should take to interpret and act on the latest trends, ensuring they capture their full impact.
1. Deep Dive into Data and Decipher the “Why”
Understanding a trend’s relevance to your specific property is crucial before taking meaningful action. Acknowledging a new buzzword isn’t enough; investigate how it appears in your market and guest data to gain a deeper understanding of its relevance. Moving beyond guesswork and manual spreadsheet analysis is essential.
To truly unlock these insights, you need a hotel business intelligence (BI) system. A modern BI platform automates the collection and analysis of data from all your key systems—your Property Management System (PMS), point-of-sale (POS), and even online guest reviews. Instead of relying on gut feelings, a BI system provides a comprehensive view of guest behavior.
It can flag patterns, such as increasing lengths of stay that bridge a Thursday to a Monday (a classic bleisure indicator), correlate guest origin with on-site spending, or track booking lead times from specific markets. This technology enables you to identify emerging trends with statistical confidence, allowing you to act decisively while your competitors are still discussing it.
With this powerful analytical foundation, you can begin to dig deeper. Are you seeing longer stays that bridge weekdays and weekends? Are guests inquiring about workspaces or the reliability of high-speed internet? Is there an uptick in visitors from regions experiencing extreme heat during certain times of the year? A BI system will not only help you ask these questions but also give you the clear, data-backed answers you need to build your strategy.
2. Reimagine and Repurpose Your Physical Spaces
Once you have a handle on the trends impacting your business, the next step is to adapt your physical environment. A one-size-fits-all approach to hotel rooms and common areas will no longer suffice.
For the “work-from-anywhere” guest, this means more than just a desk and a chair. Consider creating dedicated, well-equipped workstations that feature ergonomic seating, ample power outlets, and excellent lighting for video calls. Could a lesser-used common area be transformed into a stylish and functional co-working space? Offering day passes to these spaces can also attract local remote workers, creating a new revenue stream.
Attract “bleisure” travelers by ensuring a seamless transition between work and relaxation. Offer packages that bundle a spa treatment or a happy hour credit with a room booking. Create a “Business and Leisure” section on your website to highlight your meeting facilities and proximity to local attractions.
For “coolcationers,” the focus shifts to the experience of the destination. While you can’t change the weather, you can enhance the enjoyment of it. Partner with local tour operators to offer unique excursions that capitalize on the pleasant climate, such as guided hikes, boat trips, or outdoor yoga sessions. In-room, you could provide amenities that encourage exploration, like pre-loaded transit cards or a curated guide to local parks and outdoor cafes.
Produced by Special PR and directed by James Anderson, with on-location filming by Radlab, the campaign centers on Wilson’s symbolic return to Fiji. The story begins as he is discovered on the white-sand shores of Serenity Island Resort by a young Fijian girl named Lani. She embraces Wilson with a sense of wonder, inviting him into a series of memorable, culturally rich experiences. These include “cycling along historic sugar cane rail tracks with Eco Trax, kayaking in crystal-clear waters, partaking in a traditional Kava ceremony, and engaging in a spirited game of volleyball.”
This film-inspired campaign blends cinematic nostalgia with authentic Fijian hospitality, highlighting the destination’s enduring appeal and reinforcing Fiji’s position as a welcoming, adventure-filled travel destination for global audiences.
Image Credit: Tourism Fiji
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