Are you planning your next adventure and looking for the top travel trends for 2025?
Every year, The Expedia Group unveils its “Unpack” report showcasing the top trends for the following year. As a Travel Expert, I get to share these top new travel trends on CTV Morning Live stations across Canada, but I wanted to do a deep dive into each one and provide more insight and destinations for you.
The overall theme of the new 8 travel trends is that travel is evolving and today’s adventure seeker is looking for purpose-filled trips with meaningful connections. From JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) Travel to Detour Destinations, and Good Getaways, these are fundamental shifts in the travel space and I hope they are trends that are here to stay!
So let’s dig into each of the travel trends, and what it is all about and share both local Canadian Destinations as well as International opportunities. There’s one thing they all have in common, and that is that your next Adventure, Awaits!
2025 Travel Trends
1. Detour Destinations
Detour destinations are locations that are close to popular hot spots, but are a bit off the beaten path. Travelers are intentionally seeking out these lesser-known destinations as they offer a slower pace, a more intimate experience, and fewer crowds. This is a great opportunity for both the smaller destinations to showcase their unique community, culture, and activity, and for the bigger destinations it helps reduce over-tourism. So this travel trend is a win for both the traveler and the destination, helping make tourism more sustainable for all.
Top 10 Trending Detour Destinations for 2025:
Canadian Highlight:
- Canmore, Alberta, Canada (detour from Calgary)
International Destinations:
- Waikato, New Zealand (detour from Auckland)
- Reims, France (detour from Paris)
- Brescia, Italy (detour from Milan)
- Cozumel, Mexico (detour from Cancun)
- Santa Barbara, California, USA (detour from Los Angeles)
- Girona, Spain (detour from Barcelona)
- Fukuoka, Japan (detour from Tokyo)
- Abu Dhabi, UAE (detour from Dubai)
- Krabi, Thailand (detour from Phuket)
2. Goods Getaways
This one is my new favourite travel trends for 2025, as it showcases the movement towards responsible travel and a fun play on words called “Souven-era”. Inspired by TikTok, travelers are skipping traditional souvenirs and seeking out experiences where they can bring back crave-able and share-worthy specialty goods. Think chocolate from Dubai, butter from France, skincare products from Korea, or Japanese candy! Travelers are seeking unique treasures and are even curating their whole trips around getting these specialty goods.
One fun thing we like to do on vacation is visit local grocery stores to seek out local goods and we’re not alone! 39%* of travelers visit grocery stores and 44%* buy items they can’t purchase at home.
Examples of Goods Getaways include going for a coffee tour in Costa Rica, tea tastings in China, matcha experiences in Japan, and indulging in maple taffy snow candy in Quebec City.
3. All-Inclusive Era
The all-inclusive movement has gone through a glam up and travelers are loving the change. Brands like Marriott Bonvoy are redefining what it means to visit an all-inclusive resort and changing the perception of what an all-inclusive experience entails. One-third of Gen Z travelers said their perception of all-inclusive hotels has changed for the better and 42%* say an all-inclusive resort would be their preferred hotel type.
With elevated guest room designs, daily and nightly entertainment, culinary programs, and unique on-site experiences that reflect the locale, all-inclusive means a lot more than just a buffet in 2025! The top three reasons Gen Z is embracing their All-Inclusive Era are minimal stress (41%*), ease of booking (39%*), and staying at all-inclusive hotels feels luxurious (38%*).
All-Inclusive Era Resorts Around the World:
- Almare, A Luxury Collection Adult All-Inclusive Resort – Isla Mujeres, Mexico
- AVA Resort – Cancun, Mexico
- Alpinresort ValSaa – Sport & Spa – Saalbach, Austria
- Secrets Playa Blanca – Costa Mujeres, Mexico
- Royalton CHIC Antigua – Saint John’s, Antigua
- Hotel Riu Palace Mauritius – Le Morne, Mauritius
- Dreams Sapphire Resort & Spa – Puerto Moreles, Mexico
4. Hotel Restaurant Renaissance
Another one of the top travel trends was discovered by hotels.com which unveiled that when travelers are booking hotels they aren’t just looking for room reservations, they are also making their dinner reservations! Travelers are seeking out hotels that have elevated dining experiences on site and hotels around the world have opened critically acclaimed restaurants featuring Michelin-starred chefs to meet this need. With seasonal menus to attract guests (and keep them coming back) positive reviews about hotel restaurants, chefs, and bars increased by 40%* year over year on Hotels.com
Some more interesting findings from the Unpack Report included travelers saying that room service at a famous hotel restaurant would make them more likely to book. 31%* say that restaurant tables reserved exclusively for hotel guests would be their top reason for booking.
I’m a huge advocate for luxury dining experiences right in the hotel. As a busy traveler being able to indulge in incredible meals all while not having to traverse far from your hotel is a win for me! Some of my favourite restaurants with notable experiences include:
- Mad & Vin, at The Landsby, Solvang, California, USA: Tucked inside a boutique hotel, Mad & Vin is “known for its wine country-inspired cuisine, made with fresh, seasonal ingredients from California’s central coast.”
- Brown’s Beach House, at Fairmont Orchid, Island of Hawaii, Hawaii, USA: Brown’s Beach House “is famed for its exquisite Hawai‘i Island-inspired cuisine and spectacular oceanfront views, accompanied by live Hawaiian music and magnificent sunsets.”
- Hawksworth Restaurant, at Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Vancouver, BC, Canada: At Hawksworth Restaurant “Indulge in contemporary Canadian cuisine as chef David Hawksworth and his ardent team transform the finest locally sourced and seasonal ingredients into intricate and compelling dishes.”
- Nobu Del Coronado, at Hotel del Coronado – Coronado, California: Nobu Del Coronado, opening in early 2025, “will be the newest addition to the world-renowned Japanese restaurant empire founded by Nobu Matsuhisa and Robert De Niro. Nobu Del Coronado will spotlight Nobu-signature dishes, as well as Nobu’s world-renowned sushi.”
- La Vida Restaurant, at Susana Balbo Winemaker’s House – Chacras de Coria, Argentina: Their exclusive culinary experiences feature “local raw materials and authentic Argentinian courses, the best cuts of Argentinian beef, fragrant herbs, seasonal fruits, and fresh vegetables are carefully chosen everyday in-house.”
- Il Ristorante Alain Ducasse Napoli, at ROMEO Napoli – Naples, Italy: “Extreme care for ingredients, short cooking times, intense flavors, and strong vegetable presence embody the ‘cuisine de la naturalité’ that represents Ducasse’s philosophy. Here the tradition of French haute cuisine merges with contemporary innovations, promising an unforgettable gastronomic experience.”
5. JOMO Travel
We’ve all heard of FOMO (and probably experienced it) when we see others go on action-packed vacations and wish we could be there, but one of the top travel trends for 2025 is a new play on words called JOMO, or Joy Of Missing Out.
Travelers who seek out JOMO experiences are looking to slow down and do a whole lot less on their vacation. They are not wanting the hustle and bustle of everyday life or the busyness of a downtown city scene. JOMO travelers are looking for cozy cabins, peace-filled beach houses, and places that inspire relaxation and reconnection. 62%* of travelers say that JOMO trips reduce stress and anxiety, and half say that it enhances quality time with loved ones.
VRBO is the best way to experience JOMO Travel as you can get a charming beach house, a secluded lakeside lodge, or a cozy mountain chalet to watch the snow fall outside while you’re cuddled in next to a fireplace. Travelers are seeking out rentals that have JOMO amenities such as pools, tranquil gardens, hot tubs, saunas, and porches with a view.
Here are 3 JOMO-infused properties worth checking out:
- Rustic Lakefront Cabin in Canal Flatts, British Columbia, Canada: This four-bedroom, two-bath lakefront cabin is the perfect setting to relax and breathe in the smells of nature from the patio. Gather around the outside firepit in the evenings, soak in the private hot tub, or cozy up on the oversized couch in front of the stone fireplace in the living room. This cabin oozes cozy rest and relaxation vibes.
- Beachfront Hawaiian Oasis in Maui, Hawaii, USA: This four-bedroom, three-bath, oceanfront retreat, with a private lawn, pool & hot tub, is just steps away from a powdery sand beach. Grill up dinner and dine on your large lanai, listen to the waves crashing from your large oceanfront king master bedroom, or relax poolside, this Hawaiian Oasis has it all.
- Serene and Beautiful Muskoka Cottage Retreat in Magnetewan, Ontario, Canada: This 5-bedroom, 4-bath cottage on the edge of Newell Lake in the Muskoka cottage country of Ontario is the perfect year-round retreat. A lakefront sandy beach and large dock are perfect for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and boating. A brand new hot tub and barrel sauna will have you relaxing and enjoying the serene 8 acres of land that surrounds the cottage.
6. The Phenomena List
Another one of my FAVOURITE travel trends for 2025 is checking items off your phenomena list. Travelers are looking for once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to seek out Mother Nature’s phenomenas. Think of phenomenal events like the solar eclipse, or seeing the Northern Lights (61%*). Geological phenomenon have 31%* of travelers inspired and seeking out experiences like volcanos, geysers, and hot springs. 80%* of travelers are looking for places that align with phenomena adventure seeking, and they are looking for VRBOs that offer the best viewing of the phenomenas.
Looking for a front-row seat to 2025’s best phenomenas. Here are some of the top pics from my adventure list as well as a curated list from the experts at VRBO:
My Phenomena List Recommendations:
- Northern Lights – Aurora Village, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
- Highest Tides in the World & Walk on the Ocean Floor – Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick & Nova Scotia, Canada
- Swimming with Manta Rays – Kona, Island of Hawaii, USA
VRBO Expert Recommendations:
- International Dark Sky Park – Arches National Park, Utah, USA
- Synchronous Firefly Season – Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, TN, USA
- Penguin Parade – Phillip Island near Melbourne, Australia
- Bioluminescent Plankton – Vero Beach, Florida, USA
- “Black Sun” Starlings’ Migration – Wadden Sea National Park, Denmark
- Ballet of Japanese Cranes – Hokkaido, Japan
- Starling Murmurations – Somerset, U.K.
- Volcanoes, Lava Fields and Black Sand Beaches – Reykjavík, Iceland
- Northern Lights – Lapland region, Finland
7. Set Jetting
We’ve all heard of jet setting but have you heard of set-jetting? Two-thirds of travelers are saying that set-jetting is one of the travel trends that will inspire their next trip! So what is it all about? It’s where travelers turn to their screens for inspiration and plan trips to their favourite destinations that they see in the shows and movies they are watching. This could be binge-worthy shows, reality TV, to blockbuster movies.
As soon as I heard about this trend I knew which my two set-jetting goals would be, Emily in Paris and of course, Bridgerton. Here in Canada though there’s a lesser-known Netflix documentary called “Sea Wolves” which showcases a pack of sea wolves and other land and marine animals that call Tofino home, inspiring me to book another trip there, next summer.
Here are some of the top destinations that travelers are Set-Jetting to:
- Interest in Dubai increased more than 30%* year-over-year on Expedia after “The Real Housewives of Dubai” aired.
- The U.K. remains a top Set-Jetting destination with hundreds of “Bridgerton”, “Harry Potter”, “Game of Thrones” and “Outlander”-themed tours available to book on Expedia.
- Hotels featured in “The Real Housewives of Dubai” include: Atlantis, The Palm, ME Dubai by Meliá, Palazzo Versace, and Raffles The Palm.
- New York City hotels featured in “And Just Like That” include: Baccarat Hotel and Residences and The Mark
- VRBO private-ranch featured on the show “Yellowstone”
8. One Click Trips
The power of social media is the center of this “One Click Trips” travel trend which is inspiring travelers to book a trip after being inspired by a social media post. While people are quick to purchase in “one-click” for things like fashion and beauty, travel shopping is still in its early stages. Half of consumers say they wanted to book a trip they saw on their social media feeds but cited time and complexity as the primary barriers.
Expedia has recently launched travel industry-first shoppable storefronts curated by social media creators, tastemakers and brands with more than 100 Travel Shops live on the Expedia app.
*Methodology
Third-party research was commissioned by Expedia Group and conducted by market research firm OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society’s code of conduct. The study was conducted among 25,000 respondents across 19 countries, among adults who have traveled for leisure or plan to in the next 3 years.
About Expedia Group
Expedia Group, Inc. brands power travel for everyone, everywhere through our global platform. Driven by the core belief that travel is a force for good, we help people experience the world in new ways and build lasting connections. We provide industry-leading technology solutions to fuel partner growth and success while facilitating memorable experiences for travelers.
All of these 2025 travel trends have me super excited! No matter what trend you choose for your 2025 travels, there truly are travel trends to fit everyone’s style, need, and reason for travel. From destinations off the beaten path in Canmore, Alberta, to indulging in sweet eats and treats in Quebec City, Quebec to luxury all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, your adventure awaits!
