As we enter 2025, the travel landscape is evolving dramatically, with emerging trends reshaping how people experience the world. Whether driven by the search for personal wellness, the desire for eco-friendly journeys, or the allure of culinary discovery, travellers increasingly prioritise authenticity, sustainability, and human connections over traditional experiences. Let’s explore the top trends that will define travel in 2025.
Silver Bullet Wellness Tourism: The Search for Healing
The concept of wellness tourism is taking centre stage, with industry reports forecasting a remarkable 16.6% annual growth rate, expected to reach a staggering $2.1 trillion by 2027. Wellness travel has evolved beyond mere spa days or fitness retreats, becoming a holistic journey aimed at curing ailments and improving mental, emotional, and physical health.
At the forefront of this movement is Ananda in the Himalayas, a wellness retreat nestled in the tranquil foothills of northern India. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025, Ananda has emerged as a beacon for travellers seeking transformative wellness experiences. Drawing on the ancient healing sciences of Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), yoga, and meditation, the retreat offers individualized programs addressing digestive health, autoimmune diseases, hormonal imbalances, and sleep disorders.
A growing number of guests arrive at Ananda with concerns about mental well-being. The retreat’s blend of treatments, mindfulness practices, and emotional healing therapies, such as transpersonal psychology, helps guests reconnect with their inner selves. Spiritual growth is also emphasized, with daily Vedanta lectures and meditation sessions promoting mental clarity and resilience.
As travellers increasingly prioritize wellness, destinations like Ananda position themselves as sanctuaries for healing and renewal. By combining time-tested wellness traditions with modern science, these retreats offer a roadmap to lasting health, making wellness tourism a trend with longevity well beyond 2025.
Hotel Belmar in Monteverde, Costa Rica.
Sustainability and Regenerative Travel: A Greener Path
Sustainability is no longer an option—it’s a necessity. According to Skift’s Megatrends 2025 report, 50% of travellers are willing to pay more for sustainable travel, while 59% are eager to support businesses that prioritize eco-friendly practices. This growing demand for responsible tourism drives a seismic shift toward regenerative travel, where the goal is to leave destinations better than they were found.
A shining example of this movement is Hotel Belmar in Monteverde, Costa Rica, a carbon-neutral ecolodge celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025. Located in the heart of Costa Rica’s famed cloud forest, Hotel Belmar embodies the principles of regenerative tourism through initiatives like on-site vegetable gardens, sustainable farming practices, and eco-friendly culinary offerings. The lodge’s farm-to-table restaurant, Restaurante Celajes, showcases Costa Rican agrarian traditions, while the Belmar Brewery and Juice Bar operate virtually plastic-free.
Hotel Belmar’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its menu. The property recently underwent an extensive renovation, with most rooms redesigned to further align with its eco-conscious ethos. Regenerative cycles on-site, including composting and water conservation, ensure that every guest’s stay contributes positively to the environment.
As more travellers prioritize sustainability, destinations like Hotel Belmar are becoming models for responsible tourism. With new routes launching in 2025, including direct flights from Boston and Seattle, getting to Costa Rica’s eco-friendly lodges has never been easier, reinforcing its appeal as a top destination for environmentally conscious travellers.
Culinary Tourism.
Culinary Tourism: Satisfying the Palate of the Curious Traveler
Food has always been a significant part of travel, but in 2025, culinary tourism is expected to soar to new heights. According to Hilton’s 2025 Travel Trends Report, 20% of travellers will embark on journeys specifically for unique culinary experiences, making food tourism a booming sector.
One company leading the charge is Traveling Spoon, a platform that connects travellers with local hosts for authentic food experiences. Traveling Spoon emphasizes cultural exchange and preserves traditional food practices by offering cooking lessons, home-cooked meals, and food tours. In 2024, the company expanded to new destinations, adding hidden culinary gems in Buenos Aires, Seattle, Provence, and the Azores to its repertoire.
Travelling Spoon’s experiences offer travellers a chance to immerse themselves in local cultures through food. In Buenos Aires, for example, guests can join pasta-making workshops with a local artist in the Chacarita neighbourhood, while in Provence, they can explore regional flavours in Gordes. This town served as a filming location for Emily in Paris. These off-the-beaten-path experiences cater to travellers seeking more than just a meal—they offer a deep dive into the culinary soul of a destination.
As travellers seek more personalized and unique experiences, culinary tourism is set to become a defining trend in 2025, catering to the insatiable appetite for authentic, memorable encounters.
Skipping AI for human inspo
Skipping AI: The Human Touch in Travel Planning
In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) plays an increasing role, travellers are pushing back, preferring human recommendations over algorithm-driven itineraries. SmartFlyer’s 2025 Travel Trends Report reveals that personalized advice from experts is becoming more desirable as travellers seek to avoid the generic experiences often created by AI.
This shift is particularly evident in iconic destinations like Rome, where personal touch and insider knowledge make all the difference. With the Jubilee 2025 celebrations expected to draw millions of visitors to Vatican City and Rome, travellers are turning to experts like ArcheoRunning to navigate the crowds and offer unique, tailored experiences. ArcheoRunning, led by art historian and archaeologist Isabella Calidonna, offers exclusive early morning running and walking tours of Rome’s most famous sites, accessible from AI-generated crowds.
As AI advances, the value of human expertise will only increase, offering discerning travellers the opportunity to experience destinations through a personalized, curated lens.
Off-the-Beaten-Path Destinations: Exploring the Unexplored
Overlooked Destinations.
In 2025, travellers are seeking cachet, not cliché, and this desire is driving them to lesser-known destinations. Travel planning company Naya Traveler has identified three overlooked gems for 2025: Cambodia, Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Cambodia, long overshadowed by its Southeast Asian neighbours, is emerging as a cultural powerhouse. Its ancient temples, vibrant cities, and serene islands blend history and modernity. Meanwhile, Kashmir and Ladakh, located in the northernmost part of India, offer breathtaking landscapes ranging from lush valleys to high-altitude deserts. These regions promise travellers a unique adventure steeped in culture and natural beauty.
For those looking to escape the tourist trail in 2025, these destinations offer solitude and a deeper connection with the world around them. Naya Traveler’s custom itineraries ensure that each journey is tailored to the traveller’s desires, making every trip a personalized experience.
Hotels are back.
The Luxury Traveler’s Paradise: Caribbean Escapes
Luxury travel continues growing, with younger travellers demanding exclusive experiences. One destination that captures attention is Saint Lucia, particularly its boutique and adults-only resorts like Calabash Cove Resort and Spa.
With only 26 suites, Calabash Cove offers intimacy, seclusion, spectacular views, and world-class amenities. The resort’s all-inclusive package covers everything from daily lobster dishes to premium drinks, making it a haven for luxury seekers. Personalized attention, gourmet dining, and access to private beaches make Calabash Cove a top choice for 2025, primarily as Saint Lucia sees a surge in new hotel developments and expanded airlift.
For travellers seeking a luxury escape in 2025, boutique resorts like Calabash Cove offer the perfect blend of relaxation and indulgence.
Written by: Michelle Warner
