News and Insights
Looking Ahead: Travel Trend Insights for 2025
February 7, 2025
From the rise of sustainable tourism to the impact of social media on travel habits, staying on top of the latest trends allows the FINN Partners travel team to craft relevant and engaging narratives for our clients, as well as respond to any growing concerns in the travel space – ensuring our clients are at the forefront of the industry.
Travel is finally back in full swing. The industry was set to make a full recovery by the end of last year after losing 75% of its value in 2020, according to McKinsey & Company. The trend for ‘revenge travel’ shows no sign of abating as consumers want to make up for lost time and embark on their ‘bucket list’ trips.
Domestic travel is recovering quickly too, representing 70% of travel spending by 2030. With this in mind, let’s dive into some of the main trends in 2025…
Wander women
There is no doubt that social media has made a significant impact on the trend of female solo travel. A growing number of women are seeking the independence of solo travel, with travel providers starting to acknowledge the significance a solo female traveller can have on consumers’ perceptions of a country, particularly in terms of safety.
With the growing representation of solo female travellers on platforms such as TikTok, women are continuing to challenge the societal norms that have discouraged them from travelling alone in the past. There is a community that is being built on social media, with women sharing safety tips and travel advice – and this is not going unnoticed by travel providers.
US-based non-profit travel company Road Scholar says that more than 60% of its tour participants are women. Additionally, US-based tour operator review company TourScoop says that about 85% of solo travellers on its tours are women.
Travel is top for Millennials and Gen Z
McKinsey & Company says that for younger generations, travel is becoming a top priority. Millennials and Gen Z are spending a higher share of their income on travel and are keen to travel abroad. Meanwhile, older generations are planning to take twice as many domestic trips.
Adventure travel
According to the 2025 Hilton Trends Report, seven in ten global travellers enjoy being active when they travel. This year, one in four travellers are planning to seek unique experiences, and 20% will aim for outdoor adventures. So, why are people seeking these adrenaline-filled holidays? It could be suggested that today people are seeking to make the most of life, enriching their travels with impactful ways to celebrate their freedom – looking at their adventures as more than just a holiday, a way to increase personal growth, rather than lounging by the pool.
Kidults and nostalgia travel
A growing trend in recent years has been that of so-called ‘kidults.’ The industry is already seeing the impact of this trend in certain areas, including theme parks. Disneyland is already catering to increased volumes of adults visiting without children and is offering nostalgic memorabilia and collectables for older generations. This has given way to a term that has grown in popularity in recent years – the ‘Disney adult.’
According to Globetrender and Amadeus’ Travel Trends 2025 report, nostalgia travel may be one of the hottest travel trends of the coming year. This could see an increase in consumers looking to visit themed hotels and restaurants, as well as whimsical accommodations such as tree houses.
Sustainability in hospitality
EHL’s Hospitality Outlook Insights highlight how consumers are becoming more aware of their impact on the planet when they travel. The growing concerns about guest behaviour can encourage hotels to make more sustainable changes, for example, opting for locally sourced foods.
Travel trends 2025 summary
Travel trends evolve each year, often shaped by environmental, economic, and cultural factors such as social media. By understanding shifting behaviours in the way we travel, we can see what draws people to certain destinations and get a sense of what might shape their travel choices in the future.
For more insights and to find out how we can help your business – contact the FINN Partners travel team.
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