In 2024, travel was about looking beyond the ordinary. From gig-tripping to our favorite artists to taking time out to focus on our mental and physical health, travel is evolving to become an experience-driven journey, driven by personalization. Travel in 2025 will also show that travel is no longer just about visiting places – it is about making every trip count. Here are five trends we hope will continue or emerge, changing the way we pack our bags and set out on new adventures

“Second City” tourism

Visit Goa, Paris and Venice. The best travelers in 2025 will be those who venture into the unknown – or at least the lesser known! We anticipate “second city” tourism, where people bypass the usual suspects for cities with the same attractions but with half the crowds. Think leaving Kyoto behind for Kanazawa, New York for Philadelphia, or even Delhi for the misty hills of Shillong. It’s all about bragging rights over those hidden gems that no one else has in their grid. Plus, you’ll still eventually get that perfect photo without getting accidentally photobombed by ten tourists.

Highly personalized travel experience

Why waste hours researching when your vacation can be practically planned yourself? Thanks to AI getting smarter (and possibly more sensitive), 2025 could bring the hyper-personalized journey that feels like it was curated by the gods. Enjoy some Michelin-star pasta at sunset in Rome? Done. Do you need to find a hotel with bathtubs overlooking the Himalayas? Sorted. Do you want a mix of waterfalls, treks and spa days? AI has got your back. Although ChatGpt is still far from perfect, we wouldn’t mind personalization that takes us off the crowded track. Alexa, book me a vacation where I can eat all over Italy and not feel guilty about it!

carbon-neutral vacation

Sure, the world has been talking about green travel, slow travel, for years. But in 2025, we hope travelers will sit up and take notice. Consider switching to train routes instead of short-haul flights and or choosing sustainable retreats that give back to the planet and their communities. We also hope to see more airlines offering carbon offset programs, where a few trees can be planted with a few clicks. Because why not? Let’s leave behind the smallest possible footprint.

slow and local travel

Forget trying to “do Europe in seven days.” 2025 should be all about the art of slowing down. Rent a cabin in South Goa for three weeks, where your biggest concern is which coffee to drink while watching the sunset. Or maybe you spend a month in rural Rajasthan, learning to cook dal baati and understanding local folklore. Slow travel isn’t about cramming experiences into a busy schedule; It’s about letting a place unfold at its own pace.

Wellness and Whimsical Trips

After the pandemic, wellness tourism boomed and is here to stay. 2025 may see a rise in retreats that blend mental health, fitness and spirituality. From forest bathing in Japan to meditation cruises and Ayurvedic resorts in Kerala, travelers will seek out experiences that heal the body and nourish the soul.

Also read: Night tourism, neuro-inclusive travel: nine trends you need to know about in 2025

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