Booking.com’s 2025 Travel Predictions: Breaking the Mold for a New Era

Change is accelerating on multiple fronts. From global elections and rapid advancements in AI to rising living costs, it’s no surprise that people are feeling fatigued and looking to disconnect. Yet, in the face of growing uncertainty, isolation, and polarisation, we’re seeing the opposite in travel. Booking.com’s annual Travel Predictions research reveals that rather than retreating, many travellers are eager to redefine how they experience and engage with the world around them.

In 2025, travellers are set to 'rewrite their playbook,' defying conventional holidays and forging new connections with themselves, their loved ones, the people they meet, and the destinations they explore. Whether breaking free from societal expectations surrounding age, gender, or what a typical holiday should look like, empowered travellers are stepping out of familiar patterns to fuel long-lasting personal growth.

To understand how travellers will break away from the status quo, Booking.com commissioned research across 33 countries, including India, with over 27,000 participants. The findings forecast 2025 as the year where new travel experiences will take shape—leading to more self-discovery, richer connections, and unique journeys. From millennials rethinking the airport experience to baby boomers embracing adventure, travel is evolving into something more deeply personal.

The Top Trends Set to Shape Travel in 2025:

Trend 1: Noctourism
2025 will be the year of stargazing as travellers venture into new astro-adventures. ‘Noctourism’—travel focused on experiencing the night—will rise, as space tourism draws closer to reality. In the meantime, travellers will focus on more attainable astro-pursuits.

• 78% of Indian travellers are keen to visit dark sky destinations for stargazing and constellation tracking.
• 76% are willing to travel for once-in-a-lifetime celestial events.
• 69% prefer vacationing in cooler locations due to climate change concerns.
• 79% plan activities during cooler hours, with 73% aiming to reduce sun exposure.
• 72% of travellers will seek accommodations with minimal light pollution to preserve nature.

Trend 2: Passport to Immortality
In 2025, wellness will extend beyond yoga mats and smoothies. Travellers will seek longevity retreats focused on deep revitalisation and extending lifespan.

• 83% of Indian travellers are interested in longevity retreats.
• 79% are willing to pay for holidays that focus on lifespan extension and well-being.
• Popular treatments will include body vibration therapy (78%), cryotherapy (70%), and red light therapy (66%).
• 85% seek new wellness activities they can integrate into their daily routines, such as timed coffee ingestion (56%) and IV therapy (50%).

Trend 3: AI = Alternative Itineraries
AI technology will further personalise travel planning in 2025, helping travellers craft alternative itineraries based on their preferences and the needs of the destinations they visit.

• 90% of Indian travellers will use technology to make informed decisions and find authentic experiences.
• 83% seek tech tools to locate less crowded areas, and 40% use apps for real-time assistance.
• 57% of Gen Z and 56% of Millennials are willing to reconsider visiting over-touristed destinations.
• 19% will avoid tagging locations on social media to protect lesser-known sites.

Trend 4: Multigen Megatrips
Travelling together as a family or multi-generational group is becoming increasingly popular, with many opting to spend on once-in-a-lifetime trips rather than leaving an inheritance.

• 46% of Indian travellers would rather spend their money on a bucket-list trip than leave an inheritance.
• 84% value intergenerational travel, with baby boomers particularly willing to fund trips for their children and grandchildren (79% and 59%, respectively).

Trend 5: Boyz II Zen
As gender norms shift, men-only retreats focusing on well-being and personal growth are becoming more common. These trips address growing awareness of male mental health and offer a space for personal rejuvenation.

• 79% of Indian travellers would encourage a man in their life to go on a men-only trip.
• 41% of men seek personal growth, 35% seek stress reduction, and 39% prioritise mental health benefits.
• Women are encouraging men to go on these trips, with 69% persuading their partner to take time for themselves.

Trend 6: Ageless Adventures
Adventure is no longer the preserve of younger generations. Baby boomers (born 1946–1964) are redefining adventure travel by seeking high-octane activities and pushing their comfort zones.

• 30% of baby boomers are interested in activities like sand surfing (42%), skydiving (34%), cave diving (36%), and camping in Antarctica (22%).

Trend 7: Neuroinclusive Navigation
2025 will see more progress in offering inclusive travel options for neurodivergent individuals. The industry is responding to growing calls for personalised travel information and recommendations.

• 76% of Indians believe travel options are limited for neurodivergent individuals.
• 79% seek AI tools to personalise their travel experience.
• 77% desire sensory rooms in airports and hotels for a more inclusive experience.

Trend 8: Vintage Voyaging
Sustainability and careful budgeting will be key in 2025, leading to the rise of ‘vintage voyaging.’ Travellers will increasingly turn to thrift shopping abroad to build a sustainable holiday wardrobe.

• 68% of Indian travellers are interested in vacation shopping during their trips.
• 78% are tightening their budgets to maximise travel experiences, and 62% plan to shop second-hand for unique finds.

Trend 9: The Gate Escape
Gone are the days of rushing to catch a flight—2025 will be the year when airports themselves become destinations. Travellers will actively seek out destinations with the best airports.

• 84% of Indian travellers are interested in airports with unique experiences and facilities.
• 63% would choose a destination based on airport amenities, with Millennials and Gen Z particularly interested in features like sleep pods (38%) and Michelin-star restaurants (27%).

Santosh Kumar, Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia at Booking.com, said: “Travel in 2025 will mark the beginning of a more thoughtful and intentional approach to exploring the world. Travellers are no longer satisfied with cookie-cutter experiences; they are seeking trips that align with their personal values—whether sustainability, wellness, or cultural immersion. The demand for responsible, regenerative travel will only grow, urging both travellers and the industry to reconsider how we engage with the world. The future of travel is about forging deeper connections—personal, cultural, and environmental—and these trends will continue to shape the way we explore in the years to come.”