At DC, we live and breathe travel! With this passion comes a keen interest in the future of global travel: What destinations will boom this year? Will international travel continue to grow, or will there be a resurgence in domestic exploration? With innumerable political, environmental and financial factors at play in 2025, we’d need a crystal ball to know for sure; however, we’ve got a sneaking suspicion that change is in the wind!
See below for some trends we’ve observed and what it means for the coming year:
#1: Rise in Off-The-Beaten-Track Destinations
This year, we saw many popular destinations completely overrun with American tourists, resulting in issues such as traffic congestion, infrastructure overload and an overall negatively impacted experience for both locals and travelers alike. Last summer, traditional European destinations such as Barcelona, Copenhagen and Norway even went so far as to pull tourism ads and encourage visitors to keep their distance. (The BBC has an interesting article on the subject here.) According to Mckinsey, 80% of travelers still visit only 10% of the world. What a shame!
As a result, travelers are beginning to look further afield. Interest in destinations like Morocco, Vietnam and Central Mexico are growing as people look to escape the crowds in favor of a more authentic experience, free from throngs of Instagramers and long lines.
#2: Increase in International Flight Options (Yay!)
Have you ever been enchanted by the idea of a place, only to scrap the idea of a visit due to less than ideal travel options? Us too. Soon, multi-leg flights and 24-hour travel days may be a thing of the past! Several airlines have announced new routes, direct flights to new countries or regions and an overall expanded international footprint. In its largest expansion to date, United Airlines has added a number of new routes, including direct flights to Marrakech.
As flight options increase, this will (hopefully!) drive prices down and result in lower airfare to boot.
#3: Family Travel Booms
Family travel continues to grow! Where the default was once a child-free getaway for parents, the norm has now become more of a whole family affair as intergenerational travel — children, parents, and grandparents — is becoming more commonplace. (If you do want to explore the world without kids in tow, we support that too!) For many, the separateness of the COVID era has ushered in a need for familial closeness. Different configurations, like skip-generational excursions (grandparents with grandchildren) and sibling trips are also on the rise.
While couples vacations and solo travel aren’t dying out anytime soon, we’ve loved seeing more families embrace togetherness through cultural exploration.
#4: Human Connection Over Fleeting Experiences
In a world full of bots, AI and a general reliance on screens, human connections matter more than ever. People are increasingly utilizing travel as a means to return to our roots. Carving out time to disconnect from devices and connect (or reconnect) with others who share our interests, and with local communities across the globe, is becoming an important ritual for those looking to recharge, to be inspired, and to be reminded of our humanity. And we do not see that slowing down this year. ❤️