One of the reasons the travel industry remains fascinating is that it never stays still for long. The industry constantly keeps us on our toes, and the speed at which consumer-driven changes are unfolding is remarkable.

Globetrender’s trend reports always surprise us with their insights into emerging trends. The latest edition, produced in collaboration with Amadeus, is no exception. Here are the key trends set to shape travel in 2025.
🔴The Rise of ‘New Heydays’ – A Nostalgic Travel Boom
I love this one! As we seek nostalgia and the comfort and familiarity of simpler times - think cottagecore, the resurgence of vinyl and retro video games - a phenomenon called “rosy retrospection” is driving a surge in nostalgia-inspired travel. People are revisiting destinations from their youth with Eurocamp, a staple of 80’s and 90’s family camping holidays, enjoying record bookings.
🔴Personalised Flying – The Future of Air Travel
Airline travel has remained impervious to the technological progression for some time now but 2025 is the year this could all change. With leading carriers such as Delta rolling out high speed WiFi across its fleet and AI driven services such as emotion-recognition cameras suggesting inflight entertainment based on mood, flying is catching up with consumer demand for personalisation, with the delivery of more seamless in flight experiences, reducing traveller frustration and increasing loyalty.
🔴Trailblazer Hotels – Stays That Define the Destination
Travel decisions are now led by experiences rather than destinations, and hotels are catering to this with some stand-out openings in 2025, including the Reverb Hamburg, a Hard Rock hotel inside a WWII bunker.
🔴Asia is back in the game! With outbound travel from China and India soaring, tourism across the region is set to reach pre-pandemic levels.
China has extended visa-free entry for travellers from countries like France and Australia.
Thailand has launched a digital nomad visa and is expecting 40 million visitors in 2025.
Japan is preparing for Expo 2025 in Osaka, set to attract millions of tourists.
Popularity is driven not only by favourable exchange rates but also by the growing fascination with Asian pop culture—think Squid Game, K-pop, and the highly anticipated White Lotus Thailand.
🔴The backlash is happening! As people are growing tired on online interactions – yes, really! - travel is emerging as a way to restore and build real life connections. Solo travel is booming, with Amadeus data showing a 15.6% increase in solo travelers in 2023, continuing into 2024.
New trends include:
“Me moons” (solo honeymoons) to places like Paris and the Maldives.
Friendship-focused group tours, like Contiki’s social adventures.
G Adventures’ “Solo-ish” trips, designed to combat loneliness.
Timeleft, an app connecting travelers for communal dinners worldwide.
Expect 2025 to bring more social-centric travel, from solo-friendly hotels to festivals and cruises designed for spontaneous interactions.
From nostalgic vacations to hyper-personalised flights and bucket-list hotels, travel in 2025 is all about meaningful, memorable experiences. Whether it's revisiting childhood destinations, connecting with strangers in real life, or enjoying tailored in-flight entertainment, the industry is evolving to meet travelers’ deep-seated emotional needs.
For businesses, the message is clear: tap into nostalgia, offer personalization, and create unforgettable experiences. The future of travel isn’t just about where people go—it’s about how it makes them feel.
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