Detour Destinations, Goods Getaways and Set-Jetting have emerged as the leading travel trends for the coming year, with additional trends also expected to impact the way people travel in 2025, according to Expedia.
Expedia unveiled Unpack ’25, the annual data-driven outlook for what’s motivating travelers and where they will go next year. This is Expedia’s first Unpack report that includes data from UAE residents following its expansion plans to the region.
Expedia found UAE travelers have become wiser and more conscious of the time spent on their trips. The upcoming year is no different with more travel trends tied directly to prioritising ease with maximum relaxation during their trips, these include:
All-Inclusive Era
All-inclusive resorts are far more than families looking for fun in the sun by the pool. Today’s all-inclusives are attracting Gen-Zers from across the world and similarly, UAE residents, who are looking for stress-free stays and a good deal. In the UAE, over 90 percent of travelers are likely to stay in an all-inclusive resort in 2025. 47 percent say their perception of all-inclusive hotels has changed for the better, and over half agree that an all-inclusive resort would be their preferred hotel choice.
The top three reasons Gen Z globally is embracing their All-Inclusive Era are minimal stress (41 percent), ease of booking (39 percent), and because staying at all-inclusive hotels feels luxurious (38 percent).
Hotel Restaurant Renaissance
When booking hotels, travelers are not just making room reservations — they are making dinner reservations, too. Hotels around the world have opened critically acclaimed restaurants featuring Michelin-starred chefs and rotating seasonal menus to attract guests.
More than half of UAE travelers to global destinations prefer hotels with room service from a famous restaurant in their hotel. Local residents have proven to be bold and daring with their dining choices, as over 40 percent are looking forward to menus that have a seasonal rotation instead of a la carte.
The Phenomena-List
2024 saw droves of travelers head out to catch a glimpse of the total solar eclipse, proving people will travel great distances to see natural phenomena in real life. Trips to visit phenomenally captivating areas will continue to trend in 2025, with global survey data revealing that the Northern Lights (61 percent) are the top phenomenon travelers want to see, followed by geological phenomena (30 percent) like volcanos, geysers and hot springs. Phenomena-seekers from the UAE are particularly interested in flowering seasons (45 percent), such as cherry blossoms and flower fields (32 percent).
Expedia analysed first-party travel data, insights from 25,000 travelers, and the latest industry innovation to “unpack” the six noteworthy travel trends for 2025.
“Expedia continuously works to blend technology with travel, making journeys simpler and more enjoyable. The Unpack report is our opportunity to reflect on what travelers are seeking and how our partners are innovating,” said Rehan Asad, Vice President of Global Markets at Expedia. “From this year’s trends, I’m eager to visit some Detour Destinations for my next vacation.”
Detour Destinations
Next year, travelers from the UAE and beyond, are not only visiting the tried-and-true tourist destinations – they are adding detours. Expedia’s destinations of the year are near popular hotspots, making them ideal day trips while also being attractive as main attractions. In the hunt for the less crowded and less well-known, 49 percent of UAE travelers say they are likely to visit a Detour Destination on their next trip.
Expedia compiled the 10 trending Detour Destinations for 2025 based on an increase in searches:
• Reims, France (detour from Paris)
• Brescia, Italy (detour from Milan)
• Cozumel, Mexico (detour from Cancun)
• Santa Barbara, California, USA (detour from Los Angeles)
• Waikato, New Zealand (detour from Auckland)
• Girona, Spain (detour from Barcelona)
• Fukuoka, Japan (detour from Tokyo)
• Abu Dhabi, UAE (detour from Dubai)
• Krabi, Thailand (detour from Phuket)
• Canmore, Alberta, Canada (detour from Calgary)
Goods Getaways
TikTok has inspired travelers to take trips in search of craveable (and share-worthy) specialty goods. Whether they are viral skincare products from Korea, butter from France, or Japanese candy, travelers are making extra space in their carry-ons for unique treasures, even creating entire trips around getting the goods.
When going on vacation, 78 percent of UAE travelers chose a holiday destination based on getting an item they cannot find locally. They also opted for more organic and homegrown essentials such as coffee from Costa Rica or sweet honey from New Zealand. While the report also shows that UAE women (60 percent) seek out small mementos to reminisce on their trips later on.
2025 Set-Jetting forecast
From binge-worthy streaming shows to thrilling movies, travelers keep turning to the screen for trip inspiration. Since Expedia identified Set-Jetting as a travel behavior in 2022, the trend continues to grow. Three-quarters of UAE travelers say movies, streaming services and TV shows have influenced their travel choices. Documentaries about competitive sports and nature lead the way, with 27 percent of UAE travelers taking travel inspiration from them.
For the first time in the UAE, Expedia compiled the Set-Jetting Forecast to reveal what entertainment-inspired destinations travelers will head to in 2025. Paris, inspired by Emily in Paris and John Wick: Chapter 4 was a standout for UAE travelers. While local productions in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, with shows like Real Housewives of Dubai and others, followed closely after Paris for travelers:
•Paris inspired by “Emily in Paris”
•Dubai inspired by “The Real Housewives of Dubai”
•Japan inspired by “Shogun”
•Thailand inspired by “The White Lotus”
•Madrid inspired by “Money Heist (La Casa de Papel)”
•Egypt inspired by “Tomb Raider”
•New York inspired by “And Just Like That (Sex and the City)”
•South Korea inspired by “Squid Game”
Natural phenomena
These are some of the natural phenomena that travelers will want a front-row seat to in 2025:
•International Dark Sky Park – Arches National Park, Utah
•Synchronous firefly season – Great Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, TN
•Penguin parade – Phillip Island near Melbourne, Australia
•Bioluminescent plankton – Vero Beach, Florida
•“Black Sun” starlings’ migration – Wadden Sea National Park, Denmark
•Ballet of Japanese cranes – Hokkaido, Japan
•Highest tides in the world, walk on the ocean floor – Bay of Fundy, Canada
•Starling murmurations – Somerset, U.K.
•Volcanoes, lava fields and black sand beaches – Reykjavík, Iceland
•Northern Lights – Lapland region, Finland.
