The four most exciting travel trends of 2025, according to Expedia’s annual report

Travelers will shop – but not for souvenirs

According to the study, shopping will be very important in 2025. But instead of buying typical souvenirs, the study predicts that a big travel trend in 2025 will be the search for unique local goods, often driven by viral recommendations from platforms like TikTok or Instagram. Part of this may include visiting stores that tourists don’t normally go to, such as grocery stores or pharmacies, to buy things they can’t easily get at home, be it bourbon, which is rare in Japan, chocolates from Dubai or mezcal from Michoacan.

According to respondents, 44 percent of travelers purchase local food and beverages while traveling, and 39 percent make it a point to visit grocery stores while on vacation. Part of this is due to awareness of niche and local products thanks to social media, but it may also reflect what other travel surveys have found: Travelers care about their tourism dollars and value spending money in small businesses and local restaurants and shops instead of the usual tourist shops and companies.

Travelers have made a U-turn on all-inclusive hotels

The Unpack ’25 report highlights an evolving perspective on all-inclusive resorts. Once dismissed as predictable and uninspiring, all-inclusive hotels are enjoying a resurgence, thanks largely to a rebranding that caters to modern tastes and preferences. Dubbed the “all-inclusive era,” this trend shows that Generation Z is particularly drawn to all-inclusive options: 42 percent of respondents said they prefer the all-inclusive model because of its convenience and perceived luxury prefer.

In the 1980s and 1990s, all-inclusive resorts often had a reputation for being inauthentic and offering an experience that seemed more like a walk in the park. All-inclusive resorts were typically associated with budget-conscious travelers who wanted a stress-free vacation in the sun but were willing to compromise on food, quality and cultural experiences. But today’s all-inclusive resorts are no longer limited to generic offerings, but now include upscale experiences ranging from celebrity-chef-owned restaurants to wellness activities, unlimited diving and destination-based excursions that connect visitors with local culture . According to the report, searches for all-inclusive stays on Hotels.com have increased 60 percent over the past year, and major brands like Hilton and Marriott are also investing in the all-inclusive space.

One of the reasons all-inclusives will likely be a travel trend in 2025 is the ease of finding them on social media. #allinclusive brought more than 2 million results on Instagram and thousands of videos on TikTok with millions of views carrying the hashtag. The report finds that the lack of planning stress (41 percent) and the feeling of luxury (38 percent) are key factors behind the popularity of all-inclusive vacations.

Package holidays will be very important in 2025

The Unpack ’25 report predicts that “one-click travel” – also known as package holidays – will be a top travel trend in 2025. Normally that is. The main benefit is to eliminate the complexity associated with travel planning and appeal to those who prefer convenience and customization.

Historically, package tours grew in popularity in the mid-20th century. Companies like Thomas Cook pioneered pre-planned travel experiences that bundled flights, accommodations and activities. In the 1960s and 1970s, they became popular with middle-class travelers looking for affordable, reliable experiences. But with the proliferation of online booking tools in the early 2000s, remote travel planning became easier, allowing most travelers to plan their own trips. Package tours (and professions specializing in them, such as travel agents) fell out of favor.

But the revival of package vacation concepts in 2025 has a digital twist: Social media is influencing travel decisions, from where visitors want to travel to what activities are included in the package. And today’s vacation packages no longer include hours of traveling with families with cameras on a tourist bus. More and more package holidays include customizable experiences, like the ability to choose your own hotel or decide how active you want to be (or not) each day. Customers can also book package holidays directly through websites such as Expedia or Viator, making finding a suitable trip easier than ever. FOMO will be a thing of the past.

Goodbye, FOMO, and hello, JOMO

Say goodbye to the bad feeling of missing out on something fun and hello to unplanned days and the ability to ignore your friends at home. The report takes into account the search for JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) will guide travel decisions in 2025, with an emphasis on finding quiet, secluded environments.

The report showed that 62 percent of travelers believe that using JOMO helps reduce stress and helps them reconnect with loved ones. It reflects a shift in travel priorities, with an emphasis less on social validation and more on personal fulfillment and mindful travel experiences. This means accommodation options such as bungalows on remote beaches and islands, lakeside lodges and forested retreats where visitors can relax are likely to be more popular than ever in 2025.

The report was sponsored by Expedia Group, which owns sites such as Expedia.com, Hotels.com and VRBO. The survey surveyed more than 25,000 travelers from 19 countries who were planning a trip within the next three years. Although the survey did not outline the exact method used to target travelers or conduct the surveys, it noted that it was conducted by Talker Research, which claims to conduct studies in accordance with internationally recognized market research guidelines.