Economic woes aren’t deterring travelers from prioritizing vacations in the new year. According to Hilton’s 2025 Travel Trends Report, 1 in 3 survey respondents have already booked a trip for next year. Additionally, Skyscanner’s recent survey of U.S. travelers reveals that despite rising costs, some will spend more than in previous years.
That’s why Hilton, with 1.25 million rooms in 138 countries, has declared 2025 “The Year of the Travel Maximizer.” Whether travel brings adventure or retreats, people will make the most of their vacation spending and time off of work, with a preference for one-of-a-kind trips.
“The trends we see emerging for 2025 toss conventional travel aside and make room for more non-traditional experiences,” adds Ben Harrell, U.S. Managing Director at Booking.com.
Kids as Decision Makers
Generation Alpha — those aged 14 and younger — are hyperconnected and knowledgeable. This curious and tech‑savvy group influences vacation choices from destinations to dining and activities. Hilton’s report shows that 70% of people who travel with their children pick the vacation spot based on the kids’ needs and interests. During the trip, they continue to wield influence, with 63% of parents always or often letting their kids pick where they eat.
But that doesn’t mean repeated trips to Orlando.
Virtuoso, a luxury travel network generating $80 billion worth of reservations annually, reports Italy, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Greece, and Japan as their most requested destinations for family vacations. “Our son was obsessed with the Colosseum and gladiators, so we included Rome in our trip to Italy,” said Georgia Konidari, nationally syndicated travel writer and founder of World Wild Schooling. “The highlight of our trip was a day at Gladiator School. He wore Roman clothes and learned to fight with a sword, a dream come true. However, the ultimate moment was visiting the Colosseum itself. Seeing in real life what he had read about for so long brought him so much joy. He still talks about that trip today, always asking to return—though gelato may be part of the reason!”
“My son’s teacher is from Puerto Rico and naturally shares her background with the kids: talking about her upbringing, reading books about the Island, and even bringing in tostones, or fried plantains, one day for them to try. Ever since he’s been asking to go to Puerto Rico, so I booked a trip for his Spring Break in March. It’ll be just a mom & son trip, and we plan on snorkeling, visiting the El Yunque National Forest, and, of course, eating lots of tostones,” shares Alexandra Caspero, Founder of Delish Knowledge.
Maxing out the Multigenerational Trip
In 2025, all generations will continue to travel together. Hilton reports that 37% of surveyed travelers often take vacations with their parents, while 2 in 5 invite extended family members. Virtuoso adds that 34% of Gen Xers plan to travel with their adult Gen Z children in 2025, some with their young children in tow.
“We’ve observed a growing trend among our luxury travelers prioritizing multigenerational family experiences. Families seek seamless stays where every member, from grandparents to young children, can connect and create lasting memories. Our bespoke offerings, such as spacious residences with Embajador (butler) service and curated activities for all ages, are designed to cater to these needs,” shares Marcel Kloet, General Manager at Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico.
However, Booking.com reports some baby boomers (41%) are pushing beyond luxury and throwing caution to the wind. The age group is increasingly booking a new type of “SKI trip” — “Spending Kids’ Inheritance” — preferring to spend their money on a once-in-a-lifetime family trip rather than leaving an inheritance.
Solo Travelers Make Waves
In 2025, solo leisure travelers will continue to shake up a world built for pairs, challenging the travel industry to recognize their spending power and influence. Nearly 50% of Hilton’s global survey respondents often travel alone, with Gen Z (55%) and Millennials (51%) most likely to travel solo regularly. While approximately 10% of today’s cruise passengers are solo, 27% of Virtuoso Travel Advisors note a rise in female solo cruisers who appreciate the safety of exploring while on a cruise.
Solo travelers now comprise one-quarter of guests on Paul Gauguin Cruises, which offers award-winning luxury sailings across Tahiti, French Polynesia, and the South Pacific. After Aqua Expeditions launched their Solo Traveler Special package, single bookings on their remote destination, small-ship expeditions skyrocketed.
More cruise lines are taking notice and offering additional single cabins, dedicated events, and social activities for solo guests. PONANT created a new French style of cruising on refined yachts, offering 150 sailings with no single supplement in 2024 and 2025. Traditional ocean cruise lines like MSC, the third-largest line globally, are adding solo cabins across their fleet. MSC’s World America, debuting in April out of Miami, will offer 10 studio interior and 18 studio ocean-view rooms, debunking the myth that cruising solo means being stuck in an interior cabin.
Where Are Travelers Headed in 2025?
Skyscanner reports people pick 2025 vacation destinations based on weather, food, attractions, and the cost of flights and accommodations.
It’s not a surprise that iconic European spots in Italy, Greece, and France remain favorites. However, Portugal has risen to the top of Virtuoso’s luxury client request list. Well-known for providing great value, its appeal has broadened thanks to increasing flight offerings, a mild climate, flavorful cuisine, and stunning scenery, especially in the Azores, called “the Hawaii of Europe.” Skyscanner also reports a notable increase in searches for Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos Quepos, Costa Rica, Tucumán Province, Argentina, Tromsø, Norway, and Krabi, Thailand.
