New Priceline Report Predicts 2025 Travel Trends

The Priceline 2025 Travel Trend Report. (Photo Credit: Priceline)

As we begin saying goodbye to this year and look forward to the next, Priceline’s “Where To Next?” 2025 Travel Trends Report predicts that traveling for greater human connection, relaxing getaways for mothers and an increasing interest in astrotourism experiences will be just some of 2025’s major travel trends. 

The new report surveyed over 3,000 adult travelers and nearly 700 mothers with children under the age of 18. All travelers live in the U.S. and have traveled over 100 miles from their homes in the past year. 

While revenge travel typified the past several post-pandemic years, 2025 will usher in a new focus for travelers: traveling intentionally. Remembering how important travel is to mental health, emotional wellbeing and personal satisfaction, travelers of all ages put more value on travel than ever before. 

"In 2025, we're seeing a new breed of cost-conscious travelers who refuse to compromise on the quality of their experience, and instead are finding creative ways to maximize their travel investments," said Lesley Klein, SVP, Strategy and Brand Marketing. "Our data shows a trend toward domestic exploration and smaller-town destinations which goes beyond savings to include seeking authentic connections and feeling like a 'local' wherever they go."

Trend One: Awayborhoods, or Traveling Like a Local

While big cities will remain popular next year, one new trend is going hyper-local and is especially popular with younger generations: living like locals.

These travelers are shying away from tourist hotspots to go to more authentic, charming neighborhoods in major cities around the country. These could include the Mission District in San Francisco, North End in Boston and the Capitol Riverfront in Washington, DC. 

Trend Two: Flocking, or Traveling for Social Connection 

Gen Z is the most online generation yet, and they’re learning to reject the blue screen for something better. This year, it’s flocking, or traveling to a destination chosen for its opportunities to meet new people. 

Around 74 percent of Gen Z travelers are more likely to have researched the best destinations to meet new people, and over 20 percent say communal spaces like hotel bars and cruises are great ways to meet new people. Priceline predicts this generation to head to new places specifically to make new connections with others in real life. 

Interestingly, Gen Z travelers are twice as likely to be interested in a vacation romance and are nearly three times more likely to believe that traveling is the new dating app. 

A Girls with Grit stand-up paddleboard experience. (Photo Credit: Mahre Media)

Trend Three: Star Trekking, or Astrotourism 

The 2024 total solar eclipse and the subsequent Northern Lights popping up in unexpected places across the globe have inspired many to seek out new ways to marvel at the night sky. This next year is going to see many travelers choosing to integrate an astrotourism experience into their trips, and we've seen this in other 2025 trend reports, too. 

A quarter of Gen Z travelers are especially interested in traveling specifically for an astrotourism experience, and they’re also 51 percent more likely to choose a hotel offering astrotourism experiences. Destinations like Fairbanks, Mackinaw City and Bar Harbor might get a few more tourists looking up at the night sky for a view of the Northern Lights next year. 

Trend Four: Holding Court, or Playing Racket Sports While Traveling

Tennis and pickleball are more popular than ever before, and Millennials are 80 percent more likely to plan a trip around playing tennis and 87 percent more likely to plan a trip around playing pickleball. Even if they plan on leaving their rackets at home, this generation are 73 percent more likely to attend a tennis match on their trip next year. 

Trend Five: Gap Days, or Transformational Travel

Older generations aren’t the only ones enjoying retirement. Priceline predicts that younger travelers, especially Gen Z travelers, will enjoy shorter gap breaks to travel, learn new skills and discover new passions on their trips that they’ll take with them back to their regular lives.

A lot of this focus comes from a rejection of the traditional American work culture and an increased interest in hobbies that enrich life. Gen Z travelers might try knitting in Oslo, baking in Paris, or making olive oil in Jaén, Spain. 

Trend Six: Running the World, or Traveling to Run 

Local run clubs are becoming more popular across the globe as Gen Z and Millennials seek connection while staying healthy.

Next year, more of these generations will seek out run clubs while they travel. Just under 80 percent of Gen Z and Millennial travelers are more likely to attend a local running club event while on vacation, and 65 percent are more likely to run a race to explore a new city. Additionally, 42 percent are likely to book a hotel close to a park or trail to stay active.

Kancamagus Highway through Lincoln, New Hampshire. (Photo Credit: Adobe/Wangkun Jia)

Trend Seven: Townsizing, or Small Town Travel

Americans are likely to opt away from large city stays next year and choose more quaint, comfier and more nature-focused escapes. The Boomer generation is the one that values small towns for their relaxing vibes the most, but Gen Z are 67 percent more likely to use their vacation time as a way to experience and enjoy small-town living.

Some smaller towns that might see more travelers in 2025 include Forks, Washington; Carmel Valley, California; and Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. 

Trend Eight: GetHerAway, or Solo Trips for Moms

Parenting is an important but often stressful responsibility, and mothers around the country are more likely to travel to relax next year.

Moms with children under 18 are 2.8 times more likely than average travelers to say a vacation is necessary to recover, and they’re also more likely to seek out places that offer in-room spa services, art classes and other fun, soothing activities. Seventy-two percent of moms are most excited about the extra sleep enjoyed on a vacation away from the kids. 

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