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November 1, 2024
One of the keys to delivering unique travel experiences is to stay on top of the latest trends. Cue Unpack 2025, Expedia Group’s data-driven annual outlook to get on top of what’s motivating travelers and know what’s influencing decisions for their next trip.
By combining first-party travel data with survey responses from over 25,000 travelers across 19 countries Expedia Group’s latest report “unpacks” eight significant travel trends for 2025. We singled out three trends we think every travel agent should consider. These are Detour Destinations, The All-Inclusive Era and The Phenomena-List.
3 things worth knowing:
1. It’s all about taking a “Detour”
63% of consumers are very likely to visit a Detour Destination on their next trip.
In 2025, travelers are not only taking the road well-traveled, they’re also taking detours to experience new places. Detour Destinations are less well-known and less crowded than tourist hotspots. Here’s Expedia’s top 10 Detour Destinations for 2025:
2. Embracing the art of doing less (on vacation)
60% year-over-year increase in global searches using the ‘all-inclusive’ filter on Hotels.com.
The days of all-inclusive resorts with nothing but crowds of young families and children splashing around the pool seem to be over, as all-inclusive properties begin to attract Gen Zers looking for a stress-free stay and a good deal. In fact, one third of Gen Z travelers say their perception of all-inclusive hotels has changed for the better, with 42% saying it would be their preferred hotel type. The top three reasons travelers said they are embracing their All-Inclusive Era are minimal stress (41%), ease of booking (39%) and because staying at all-inclusive resorts feels luxurious (38%).
Tip: find our curated list of All-Inclusive Resort deals on Expedia TAAP below (make sure you logged in to Expedia TAAP first).
3. Once in a lifetime (natural) events
80% of travelers say it’s very important to stay in a place that has prime views for natural phenomena.
The total solar eclipse this year saw droves of travelers booking private vacation homes along the 2024 path of (eclipse) totality, proving people will travel great distances to see natural phenomena in real life, perhaps imbued with a sense of “once in a lifetime opportunity”. Unpack’s survey data revealed the Northern Lights (61%) as the top phenomenon travelers want to see in 2025, followed by geological phenomena (30%) like volcanoes, geysers and hot springs. And the vast majority of travelers (80%) stated the importance of staying in a place that offers prime viewing for these natural wonders, with private vacation homes in secluded or rural destinations deemed ideal.