Globetrotting in 2025 – oh, the places you’ll go!
From noctourism to bromances, we take a look at what’s trending in the travel space
IT’S the beginning of a new year, and for many, it’s time to start filling the 2025 calendar with exciting travel adventures.
According to the Travel Trends report by travel search engine Skyscanner, 53 per cent of the over 1,000 Singapore travellers polled want to make more trips in 2025. And by that, they don’t just mean more of us bumping into each other in hotspots such as Japan.
Instead, we’re talking about what’s driving our choices, which could be as simple as the desire to gaze upon a starry night sky, to using artificial intelligence (AI) to design our next itinerary.
Anthony Lu, Booking.com’s regional director of South-east Asia and China, says it’s all about breaking travel norms to foster a deeper sense of connection. “Technology and imagination are coming together to create a new era of traditions, and ultimately make it easier for everyone to shape their own journeys in 2025 and beyond,” he adds.
For its travel predictions, the digital travel company surveyed more than 27,000 travellers across 33 countries and territories, including 502 from Singapore.
We sift through these travel reports to bring you the trends that are emerging – and what they could mean for your next jaunt.
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Tech and travel
Booking.com’s finding that 80 per cent of Singaporean travellers will use technology to make decisions and find experiences comes as no surprise. But what it has also found is that 54 per cent of travellers are keen on using AI to curate trips. Meanwhile, some 74 per cent are hoping to use technology to truly have a holiday – by finding less crowded places to visit. Plus, there are 38 per cent not tagging locations on social media to keep a lesser-known destination under wraps.
Apart from the fact that it’ll be interesting to see where AI-crafted itineraries could take us, we definitely like the idea of spreading out the crowds across more destinations. Sayonara Tokyo?
Noctourism
Stargazing escapes are high on the agenda of Singapore travellers. Two-thirds (66 per cent) are considering visiting darker sky destinations with starbathing experiences (73 per cent), once-in-a-lifetime cosmic events (66 per cent), constellation tracking (60 per cent) and star guides (59 per cent), according to Booking.com.
More than half of travellers (57 per cent) would even book an accommodation without lights to encourage less light pollution and preserve flora and fauna.
Likewise, Skyscanner’s report shows that 40 per cent of Singapore travellers are eager to sleep under the stars, while more than half plan to chase the Northern Lights. Just be sure to check weather forecasts, prepare for the elements and look around for hazards that might be lurking in the dark.
“Coolcation”
The “coolcation” trend gained momentum in 2024, with a 26 per cent rise in bookings to cooler regions such as Scandinavia during summer, says luxury travel tour operator Scott Dunn. Such destinations allow guests to enjoy lower temperatures, a refreshingly different range of activities, as well as more affordable rates and smaller crowds. Consequently, it expects demand for milder climates to gain momentum in 2025, with more opting to “coolcation” during the summer months.
This is a trend that Booking.com has also noticed, with 61 per cent of its respondents planning to elevate their night-time pursuits to avoid rising daytime temperatures and 81 per cent preferring to vacation in cooler locations.
Longevity retreats
Singapore travellers are increasingly prioritising their health and wellness, says Skyscanner. Its data shows that 77 per cent believe vacations are essential for building resilience and strength that help with their ability to handle the stresses of everyday life. In fact, 42 per cent are likely to maintain their health and wellness routines while travelling.
This, however, is not about a couple of good massages or yoga sessions, but reset retreats where undistracted time is spent in a community, working on better nutrition, sleep and exercise habits. The aim is to live longer and feel younger in a relaxing and supportive environment.
Booking.com’s poll similarly shows that 62 per cent are interested in a longevity retreat, with deep revitalisation being the top priority. These include body vibration (62 per cent) which may help improve muscle strength, red light therapies (58 per cent) for skin and other benefits, as well as cryotherapy (54 per cent) and stem cell treatment (49 per cent).
More than two-thirds (68 per cent) are looking for new wellness activities they can mix into their daily lives, with 58 per cent saying they would pay for a vacation whose sole purpose is to extend their lifespan and well-being.
Makes sense. After all, what’s lifespan without healthspan?
Hitting thrift stores
Trendy travellers are turning into vintage voyagers by filling their suitcases with thrift store finds while on holiday.
Booking.com data shows that 68 per cent will visit thrift stores on vacation, while 69 per cent have already purchased vintage or second-hand products when abroad. Given that 57 per cent intend to be thriftier on their trips and 73 per cent are tightening budget planning to maximise their experiences, discovering hidden gems in second-hand stores is now a pivotal part of the adventure.
Furthermore, 36 per cent say they find better quality products and bargains in vintage stores abroad than back home. A thrift trip, as Booking.com calls it, is now also a way to bring cultural connections home while making eco-conscious and wallet-friendly choices. What this means is that if you want to make the most of savings and sustainability while shopping abroad, pack lightly.
The journey matters
Today’s travellers, says Scott Dunn, are as interested in how they’re getting to a destination as the destination itself. This is evidenced by significant growth in bookings for higher-tier cabins across the premium, business and first class categories in luxury cruises last year, while economy bookings fell by 4 per cent.
Premium economy bookings saw the biggest increase at 26 per cent, as the cabin provides a sweet spot for those who aren’t willing to spend on business or first class fares, but still want to travel in comfort. Likewise, Scott Dunn is seeing more travellers choosing ultra-luxury cruises as a stylish means to visit several destinations at a leisurely pace.
Men-only trips
More than half (51 per cent) of travellers say they will encourage one of the men in their life to go on a men-only trip, with the number rising to 59 per cent for Gen Z respondents and 61 per cent for Millennials, says Booking.com.
Male travellers are seeking to switch off from the stresses of everyday life (42 per cent), rest and rejuvenate (46 per cent) and pursue mental health benefits (28 per cent) and personal growth (28 per cent). Almost a quarter (24 per cent) are looking to make new friendships, while 22 per cent hope to improve their relationship-building skills with friends and family.
Women are supportive, with 64 per cent encouraging their partner, 39 per cent their friends, 28 per cent their brother and 18 per cent their father, to go on a men-only trip.
Meanwhile, Skyscanner notes that 15 per cent of Singapore travellers plan to travel abroad specifically to experience a live sporting event. For more than half of these travellers (53 per cent), it’s as much about the excitement and thrill of cheering for their favourite teams alongside fellow fans as the game itself. Safe to say, sporting trips would fit right in with bromance travel.
Multi-gen jaunts
Instead of merely squirrelling savings away, 39 per cent of Singapore travellers would rather spend money on a trip of a lifetime in 2025 than leaving inheritance to their children, according to Booking.com. But younger generations need not fret, as older relatives are looking to splash the cash on them by paying for their next vacation.
While 57 per cent of travellers admit their parents had already paid for at least part of their vacations since they became adults, 89 per cent of baby boomers are happy to pay for their children when booking their next trip.
And what will multi-gen vacations look like?
According to Hilton’s 2025 Trends Report, 87 per cent of Gen Alpha and Gen Z are actively shaping family travel plans in the Asia-Pacific. For these younger ones, travel is key to enhancing their education and personal development, as well as an opportunity for cultural exploration.
Not surprisingly, such trips are centred on concerts, music festivals, sports, adventure and connections with loved ones, with some 65 per cent of parents letting their children pick restaurants while travelling.
Within Apac, Hilton says Gen Alpha and Gen Z’s appetite for travel is particularly pronounced in China, India and Singapore, where young travellers have gone on two to three trips on average in the past year. The demand for travel among younger generations is also strong, with 72 per cent taking pride in their ability to explore new destinations.
So whether you’re the benefactor or recipient of an extended family travel experience, you can be sure there is love spreading across the generations.
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