Tourism specialists say that the year 2025 will be a time of new experiences and trips that will defy previous trends. Due to political and social unrest, as well as global warming, people focus on nature outings or escapes from reality.
North Coast of Scotland PHOTO DMS
Travel is one of the top leisure preferences across the globe. In fact, people’s enjoyment of walking, relaxing and seeing new places has over time created an industry that seems to flourish from decade to decade. However, tourism specialists say that in 2025 the trends in terms of people’s travel and relaxation will be totally different. Most will try novel, unique experiences that will detach them from everyday reality as much as possible. Because of political and social turmoil, fears of war, but also of an increasingly unstable economy, especially on the European level, the world is becoming more and more ugly and oppressive for more and more people. That’s why the escape from reality in all possible ways is the trend that will dictate in terms of tourism the year that has just begun.
From dark rooms to a total escape into nature
The stress of everyday life, especially in the big cities of the world, with a life that is always on the run, from one job to another, to which is added the worry of tomorrow in the conditions of rising prices and escalating social tensions, makes everyone more many people wish for a vacation effectively disconnected from reality. A place where they can no longer see bright advertisements, no longer hear urban noises, and above all, where they can sit for nothing, without tasks, deadlines and the annoying ringing sound of the mobile phone. This is how two big trends in tourism were born, which will dominate in 2025, experts say.
It’s about holidays in the dark and escapes into unspoilt nature, where tourists are just with themselves, the bugs, the trees and the birds. It is a chronic need for solitude and total silence that has turned into a tourist trend, experts say. Tourist resorts that accommodate tourists who want total silence, in the dark, are among the most sought after. Actually, rooms are set up in tourist facilities, even luxury ones, where tourists can live for a few good days, in the dark, 24 hours out of 24 hours. Obviously, food is brought to them, they are provided with all the conditions of hygiene and comfort. In the dark they eat, sleep, relax, bathe and go to the toilet. The idea is borrowed from a number of practices of Buddhist monks in Tibet.
It all started with the idea of Anthony Joshua in the year 2023. He created Oregon’s Sky Cave Dark Retreat, a cabin where tourists could stay in the dark for four days. The idea has become widespread and in 2025 it could become a fashionable option. And this in the conditions in which such facilities that let tourists enjoy absolute darkness and silence have become widespread from Germany to Guatemala.
There are also those who want to escape from reality, but not directly in the dark, but in an enchanting place that will lift their mood and morale. These are quiet, isolated areas, either rural or green paradises near forests. Tourists fleeing the wild world are accommodated in small cabins or a kind of tourist cottages, with very large windows, through which they can admire nature. At the same time, the entire mini-spring is made of natural materials. One of the most famous such resorts is the Leafy Treahouse brand, with accommodation in many locations including the US and the UK.
Together forever, but on separate trips
Another trend predicted for 2025 is that of trips and vacations spent by couples separately, each partner with friends or relatives. If in the last 10 years “girls” vacations were very fashionable, as a break or rather a break from family, couple responsibilities, where several girlfriends, married or in long-term relationships, preferred trips together , especially in Greece, Turkey, Italy or Spain, this year is a real offensive by gentlemen.
The men have folded and want holidays “with the boys” too. Those who prefer this kind of vacation with friends and relatives of the same sex are generally those of Generation Z. That is, those born between 1997-2012. According to the well-known travel website booking.com, it is predicted that in 2025 more than 65% of Gen Z representatives will choose “boy-to-guy” trips. In 2025, these boy-to-guy trips will most likely focus on travel packages that must include adventure, fun in nature, relaxation, but also club nights, in destinations such as those in Spain or Ayia Napa in Cyprus.
Returning to the past, a form of tourist escape
Beyond dark rooms, wild or rural areas, there is also the return to the past as an escape from reality. Where it was “good” for those dissatisfied or too stressed by the challenges of the present. Thus, in 2025, a predicted travel trend will be that of going back in time. In particular, the first millennials, somewhat more conservative than Generation Z, or the last millennials , they want trips to remember their youth or even childhood.
“People want to listen to their familiar music, watch movies or find the trendy things of their time, simpler from the point of view of technology. And tourism is no exception”says Daniel Bactchelor, Vice President at President Global Corporate Marketing and Communications, to The Telegraph. At the same time, studies show that over 60% of Britons, for example, have tried, in 2024, to recreate their childhood holidays.
In search of eternal life
Tourism specialists are already noticing, through the bookings made last year, that people are moving more and more to secluded areas, of complete relaxation, but where they can receive treatments that could prolong or significantly increase their quality of life. As shown by booking.com, representatives of generation Z or young millennials, i.e. people between the ages of 16 and 35, are the ones who most request such SPA facilities with treatments and menus to improve their health and even a possible extension of life.
Thus, according to the same travel site, it appears that 60% of people from generation Z or younger millennials have shown interest in taking their vacation in 2025 at a tourist facility that offers modern spa&wellnes possibilities based on the stimulation of longevity. That means having cryotherapy chambers, infrared saunas, stem cell treatments. In addition, the menu at the meals taken within the hotels or treatment centers should only consist of healthy, anti-carcinogenic and life-prolonging foods and preparations. The same type of tourist also prefers the presence of fitness specialists, nutritionists or different therapists from whom they can get advice and guidance.
Erotic tourism or a serious gaming session?
An important component, predictable for the year 2025, is erotic tourism. According to the travel platform Amadeus, more and more people have planned the kind of holidays that also involve romantic encounters, even with the potential for a sexual affair. These are specialized, official platforms, applications through which a person, whether male or female, can meet five different people for dinner. More than 285 locations around the globe are available to the tourist where he can meet established people. Dating can be a simple conversation, a friendship or even a romantic relationship.
At the opposite pole are those who give up all romance and look for vacations where they don’t hear about love, relationships or any partner who sets their schedule. It’s about the non-stop, unconditional gaming holidays. These can be planned for various gaming conventions, such as the 2024 one held in Cologne, Germany. In the year 2025, gamers will be able to opt for different trips to Johannesburg, Athens, Miami or Basel, where they have the opportunity to combine the pleasure of playing and chatting with other people who share their passion, with the opportunity to discover new places.
