2025 travel predictions from Booking.com offer valuable insights to help your properties stand out, boost bookings and enhance the guest experience.
- With 62% of travellers considering destinations with low light pollution, the Photo API can help properties highlight stargazing opportunities
- Highlighting up-to-date amenities like wellness facilities (for the 60% seeking longevity retreats) and airport shuttle services (important for over a third of travellers) will attract more guests.
- Setting children policies and rates will help properties increase their appeal to the 78% of baby boomers who would pay for their grandchildren’s holidays
Booking.com’s 2025 travel predictions research reveals how travellers will redefine age, gender and identity to shape the future of travel. Based on insights from over 27,000 travellers in 33 countries, these nine trends are set to shape the travel industry next year. Find out how these insights, together with our solutions, can help your properties attract more bookings.
Predictions for Travel Industry 2025: Insights to Attract More Bookings
1. Appeal to stargazing travellers with the right photos
Nocturnal tourism is all about travelling to experience the wonders of the night sky. 62% of travellers surveyed said they were considering going to destinations with limited light pollution to spend time stargazing.
How your properties can prepare: Give your properties more control over adding and organising their photos with the Photo API. With the right photos, they attract stargazing travellers who could easily imagine themselves enjoying this stellar experience.
2. Highlight wellness facilities for guests looking for longevity retreats
In 2025, the focus on wellness is on longevity retreats. 60% of travellers were keen to plan getaways around experiences that will help their long-term health and vitality, instead of short-term rejuvenation.
How your properties can prepare: You can modify a property’s facilities to highlight if they have saunas, spas or any other wellness features.
3. Support more sustainable travel practices
Travellers will avoid overburdened travel hotspots, instead opting for more sustainable travel choices. 67% plan to use technology, like Booking.com’s AI Trip Planner, to find less crowded destinations. As a result, we’re happy to let AI stand for ‘alternative itineraries’ in 2025.
How your properties can prepare: Our hotel sustainability amenity codes let you highlight your properties’ sustainability practices, like eliminating single-use plastics and using energy-efficient lighting.
4. Boost your properties’ appeal across generations
In 2025, families will opt for multigenerational getaways as they prioritise creating lasting memories over saving for the future. Nearly half (46%) of travellers surveyed would rather use their money on a once-in-a-lifetime trip than leaving an inheritance. In fact, older travellers said they’d be happy to fund holidays for their children (80%) and grandchildren (78%).
How your properties can prepare: Help your properties boost their appeal to families by setting children policies and rates.
5. Promote wellness packages that cater to men-only retreats
Our research reveals a shift from traditional ‘lads holidays’, with more men seeking retreats focused on mental wellbeing. Nearly half (47%) of travellers surveyed would encourage the men in their lives to go on a men-only trip, with that number rising to 65% for Gen Z.
How your properties can prepare: Properties can attract these travellers by promoting wellness packages. You can add or edit on-site facilities such as saunas and spas.
6. Advertise activities for mature adventurers
In 2025, baby boomers (those born from 1946 to 1964) are looking for opportunities for action-packed adventures rather than a quiet life. 23% of the people from this generation (up from 10% in 2024) said they’re interested in adventurous activities like skydiving and mountain trekking.
How your properties can prepare: Your properties can cater to adventurous older travellers by highlighting activities such as windsurfing, canoeing and bike tours.
7. Emphasise neuroinclusive features
With different ways of processing information, 50% of neurodivergent travellers responding to our survey believe that their travel options are limited due to a lack of inclusivity. Next year, they’ll be tackling these issues head-on by using AI-powered tools to get real-time travel updates and find sensory-friendly environments.
How your properties can prepare: You can modify a property’s facilities to highlight if your properties have neurodiverse-friendly features such as soundproofed rooms, a private entrance, a self-controlled heating/cooling system or non-allergenic rooms.
8. Attract vintage enthusiasts with savvy shopping tips
In 2025 there will be a shift towards sustainability as travellers embrace vintage shopping while they’re on trips. Over half (51%) intended to buy holiday outfits on arrival at their destination. Vintage stores and artisan markets are becoming increasingly popular with travellers – 73% said they’d bought second-hand items on their trips.
How your properties can prepare: Properties can appeal to thrifty shoppers with recommendations of local markets or antique shops.
9. Help travellers optimise airport time by offering shuttle services
Travellers will actively spend more time at the airport in 2025. 34% said they’d pick a destination because of its airport, while 43% of younger travellers plan to savour every moment, transforming layovers into luxury pre-trip treats.
How your properties can prepare: Properties can attract travellers looking to maximise their airport time by offering shuttle services from and to the airport. You can modify a property’s facilities to ensure this information is clear to potential bookers.
Set yourself up for success in 2025
2025 promises to be an exciting year. By taking a strategic approach in the solutions you implement for your properties, your properties will be able to offer memorable traveller experiences that will increase their bookings.
This article was published on Booking.com Connectivity Hub
