Unveiled findings on upcoming travel expenditures in 2025 among U.S. citizens, revealing spending patterns that might diverge from their social media showcase
Americans Have Elevated Their Travel Plans in 2025, Revealing Hidden Trends and Preferences
The travel industry witnessed a surge in planned trips for the year 2025, with many Americans eager to embark on travel experiences that often stray from the typical tourist path. A recent survey of 3,000 travelers unveiled the top trends of the year, as well as the more discreet preferences that travelers are choosing to keep private.
The Top 9 Travel Trends of 2025
American travelers are approaching 2025 with a fresh perspective on exploring the world, with these nine major trends shaping their travel plans:
- Solo travel sees a 26% increase, with more travelers opting for independent adventures.
- Low-season travel gains traction, with 24% of travelers choosing off-peak trips due to less predictable weather caused by climate change.
- Destination dupes are on the rise, with 20% of travelers seeking budget-friendly alternatives that deliver the same atmosphere as popular tourist hotspots.
- Sports tourism attracts 15% of travelers, who are eager to catch their favorite sports teams in action.
- Human rewilding lures 14% of travelers, as they seek to distance themselves from consumerism and reconnect with nature.
- Embracing boredom leads 10% of travelers to opt for silent retreats, aiming for reduced overstimulation and increased creativity.
- Heritage and DNA travel gains 10% of travelers, who seek to explore their ancestral roots through travel.
- Regenerative tourism captures the interest of 9% of travelers, who prioritize eco-friendly and socially responsible travel.
- Skillcations pique the interest of 7% of travelers, who vacation to learn or develop a new skill.
Secret Travel Trends Among the Discreet Traveler
While some travelers are more than happy to share their plans, others prefer to maintain privacy. In fact, 12% of travelers admitted to being embarrassed about certain aspects of their travel choices in 2025, and 24% plan to keep at least one trip a secret. Here are the hidden trends beginning to emerge:
- Airport tourism, with 7% of travelers planning trips solely to visit a specific airport restaurant or shop.
- Longevity retreats, with 6% of travelers investing in wellness escapes featuring cutting-edge therapies like cryotherapy, red light therapy, and even stem cell treatments.
- SKI trips, with 5% of travelers prioritizing multi-generational trips over saving for their children's future.
- Nude cruises, with 3% of travelers setting sail on adult-only, clothing-optional cruises.
A Closer Look at Why They Keep It Private
The reasons behind the secrecy differ among travelers, with 28% admitting they find the trend overrated but are doing it anyway. Meanwhile, 24% worry about being judged, 19% don't want others to know how much they're spending, 19% copied someone else's trip and don't want them to find out, and 14% have practical concerns about financing their trips.
Spending Habits of the 2025 Traveler
The majority of Americans aim to spend between $1,000-$5,000 on the travel trends mentioned above, with some planning to invest more:
- 26% of heritage/DNA travelers, 20% of longevity retreat-goers, and 18% of nude cruisers plan to spend $5,000-$10,000 per person on the trip.
- 17% of ski trippers are planning to shell out more than $10,000 per person.
- 11% of luxury pet travelers are also planning to spend over $10,000 per person.
How Travelers Are Planning Their Trips
With so many options available, planning a trip can be overwhelming. In 2025, 33% of travelers are turning to travel advisors for assistance, seeking help in areas such as budget management, travel insurance, entire itinerary booking, destination suggestions, insider tips and perks, documentation help, local expertise, 24/7 support, group travel coordination, emergency support, and timing suggestions.
Protecting Your Secrets and Your Trip
Whether you're exploring off-beaten paths on a solo adventure or indulging in a secret splurge, it's essential to ensure your trip is protected. Regardless of what travel trend you're pursuing, our website's whole-trip travel insurance is a valuable addition to your journey.
- In addition to the popular travel trends, 7% of travelers are interested in airport tourism, visiting specific airport restaurants or shops.
- Discreet travelers planning longevity retreats are investing in wellness escapes that offer cutting-edge therapies like cryotherapy, red light therapy, and stem cell treatments.
- Skiers are opting for multi-generational trips rather than saving for their children's future.
- Nude cruises are gaining popularity, attracting 3% of travelers who prefer adult-only, clothing-optional cruises.
- Although embarrassed about some aspects of their travel choices, 12% of travelers silently pursue heritage and DNA travel to explore their ancestral roots.
- Some travelers are spending between $1,000-$5,000 on regenerative tourism and skillcations, while 26% of heritage travelers, 20% of longevity retreat-goers, and 18% of nude cruisers plan to spend $5,000-$10,000 per person.
- To ease the unique challenges of trip planning, 33% of travelers are consulting travel advisors for help with budget management, travel insurance, itinerary booking, destination suggestions, and 24/7 support.
- To protect their trips, travelers can benefit from whole-trip travel insurance, regardless of the travel trend they are pursuing.
- In the era of increased healthcare awareness, travelers may also prioritize health-and-wellness, personal-finance, and lifestyle choices while planning their 2025 vacations, along with fashion-and-beauty and science-related interests.