Anticipated Travel Patterns in 2025, Forecasted by Hilton
Revamped Travel Vibes: Hilton's 2025 Pulse Check Unveils New Ways to Chill, Thrill, and Repeat
In the ever-evolving travel scene, Hilton's 2025 Trends Report shines a light on upcoming travel preferences, revealing how jetsetters will juggle relaxation and exhilaration next year. After the "Year of the Great Recharge" in 2024, witnessing a sleep renaissance and mindful escapades, travelers are now on a quest to refresh and engage in high-octane activities without wasting a precious minute.
Chris Nassetta, Hilton's CEO and President, sheds light on the report's insights, stating, "The 2025 Trends Report uncovers an evolving dance between work and leisure, tranquility and excitement, and moments of solitude amidst social settings. This report sheds light on the shifting desires of travelers, focusing mainly on making every adventure as rewarding as possible."
The report came to life after extensive global research comprising feedback from 13,000 travelers in 13 countries, input from over 4,100 Hilton employees, and chats with travel experts. Below are the key highlights from the report:
1. Seize the Moment: PowerUp, SlowDown, or Relax!
Spontaneity has a moment, as seven out of ten global travelers prefer active outings during their trips. One in five leisure junkies envisions adventures in the great outdoors in 2025. While some prefer the Scottish term "Hurkle-Durkling" – translating to lazying around in bed – more than a quarter of those want to recharge by pampering themselves with sleep-improving spa treatments.
2. Time to Take Time: Longer Stays, Deeper Connections
A quarter of leisure travelers are opting for longer, more immersive excursions, dubbed "Slow Travel." This approach underscores an intention to fully dive into a destination's culture and lifestyle. This trend highlights the growing desire to form meaningful links with locations and locals.
3. Streamlined Experiences: Bye-Bye Front Desk, Hello Digital Keys!
Travelers crave hassle-free experiences. Over 60% of respondents favor digital room keys, enabling them to breeze through their rooms and check-in without halting at the front desk. This demand for contactless tech continues to set the tone for how people interact with hotel services.
4. Less "Lives," More "Living": Digital Detoxes on the Rise
Digital retreats are on the rise, with around 24% of global travelers spending less time on social media during vacations compared to before, preferring to immerse themselves in the present moment and enjoy their surroundings without constant online distractions.
5. The Gen Alpha Revolution: Junior Travel Influencers
70% of global respondents with offspring select vacation spots based on their children's choices. This trend highlights the impact of younger generations, notably Generation Alpha – kids born after 2010 – on family travel decision-making. These trendsetters are increasingly driving choices for family holidays.
6. Furry-Fiends and Books as Besties: The Solo Sojourner's Companions
Among solo travelers, also known as MeMooners, 25% take their pets along for the ride, compared to just 19% of average vacationers. Books are another popular travel companion for the solo jetsetter, with 64% of MeMooners rating them as their favorite travel partner.
7. Co-workers gone Companions: Frolleagues Unite!
Nearly 30% of global travelers are blending work and play by traveling with colleagues who are also friends, aka "Frolleagues." These trips mix bonding and relaxation, signifying the increasing fusion of professional and personal lives during time off.
8. Food, Glorious Food: A Cornerstone of Discovery
Culinary experiences continue to attract global travelers. One in five explorers seek new restaurants and culinary adventures during their trips, with half securing reservations before even boarding their flights, with local cuisine serving as a significant motivation for trip planning.
9. Mindful Indulgence: Tempo Drinking
Moderation is the key mantra for some travelers, leading to a rise in "Tempo Drinking." One in four global travelers are either reducing or cutting out alcohol consumption in recent years, promoting a more conscious approach to imbibing while traveling.
10. Inner Journeys: Soft Travel for Mental Wellness
Mental health has taken center stage for travelers, with one in five participants indicating they plan to travel specifically for self-discovery and mental health benefits. This "Soft Travel" trend promotes simplicity, spontaneity, and a slower pace, enabling people to reconnect with themselves and their surroundings in meaningful ways.
11. Nostalgia Offers Nostalgic Escapes
A sense of nostalgia permeates family travel, with nearly 60% of respondents with children revisiting destinations from their childhood to share precious moments with the next generation.
12. Game On: Sports Travel Revs Up
Sports tourism has seen a surge, with Hilton reporting a threefold increase in sports-related travel revenue from 2019 to 2024. This growth is primarily driven by youth and amateur sports, as families, teams, and fans alike book trips around prominent athletic events. This trend is expected to carry on into 2025.
In conclusion, Hilton's 2025 Trends Report paints a portrait of a travel world where travelers aim to maximize experiences, prioritize social and wellness aspects, and opt for destinations that offer a mix of nature, culture, and urban excitement, all while being mindful of sustainability and comfort.
In line with the evolving trends, travelers in 2025 are seeking a blend of outdoor adventures and rejuvenating spa treatments as part of their lifestyle choices, combining thrill and chill in their itineraries [lifestyle, travel]. Additionally, an increasing number of leisure travelers are choosing to extend their stays, immersing themselves in local cultures and forming deep connections with destinations [lifestyle, travel].
