What trends will dominate travel in 2025 and how can you capitalise on them?
Beyond’ s latest international consumer research has revealed the key trends that will shape how and where tourists travel next year.
This information will help you adapt to the changing travel landscape.
- Holiday frequency
Over 70% of respondents plan to take between one and four holidays a year, with almost 20% planning no holidays at all.
The majority are leaning towards short breaks, reflecting a cautious and budget-oriented approach to travel planning, likely due to ongoing economic uncertainties. 💡 Tip for hosts: To attract the majority who travel once or twice a year, create attractive offers or packages that appeal to annual or semi-annual travelers looking for value-packed experiences.
Consider offering early booking discounts or exclusive offers for travelers who plan their trips well in advance.
- Rest and relaxation reign supreme
The type of holiday they prefer is relaxing, with 48.1% of travellers opting for all-inclusive beach or pool holidays.
Cultural holidays come in second place with 23.1%, underlining the significant interest in immersive experiences.
Adventurous, active and thoughtful travel appeals to a smaller, niche audience, but trends for 2025 show that its popularity is steadily increasing. 💡 Tip for hosts: Focus on creating a relaxing atmosphere in your rental.
Consider adding simple touches such as comfortable lounge chairs and good quality bedding to align with travelers’ desire to relax.
Highlight local cultural attractions in your listings to attract those seeking immersive experiences.
- Europe is at the top of the Bucket List for 2025
Europe is the dream destination for 30.7% of respondents, followed by North America and Asia.
Exotic locations such as Antarctica and Africa still capture the adventurous spirit of a few, but the majority are looking at classic hotspots with a mix of history, culture and stunning landscapes. 💡 Tip for hosts: If your property is located in these areas, emphasize the appeal of local culture, accessibility and unique experiences.
For rentals outside of these hotspots, emphasize what makes your location special and connect it to broader travel trends, such as adventure or ecotourism, that are popular in 2025.
- Search for accommodation starts with Google
When it comes to finding accommodation, 33.8% of travellers start with Google, while 13.6% turn to holiday rental platforms such as Airbnb or Booking.com.
Reliance on direct hotel websites and travel agents is decreasing as more travellers prefer the fast, user-friendly experience offered by online searches and social media recommendations. 💡 Tip for hosts: Optimize your online presence by boosting your SEO and leveraging your Google Business profiles.
Make sure your listings are well represented on major vacation rental platforms and maintain an engaging social media presence to grab attention during the research phase.
- The most important factors when planning a trip
For 62% of travellers, total cost is one of the most important factors when planning a trip.
A desire for beautiful scenery and cultural richness drives destination choices, with 56% also keeping a close eye on overall cost. 💡 Tip for hosts: Make sure your pricing is always aligned with seasonality, demand and more factors to attract travelers.
When it comes to visibility, save emphasis on its prime location, whether it’s proximity to major attractions, natural beauty or convenient transportation.
Highlight seasonal charm and suggest ideal times for specific experiences, such as festivals or outdoor activities.
- Accommodation preferences
Hotels continue to be a popular accommodation choice, with 64.3% of travellers preferring them for their familiarity, comfort and perceived value.
Rental accommodation, although popular with 22.7% of respondents, is considered the best for group stays or unique experiences.
Cost-effectiveness is a recurring theme across all accommodation types, with trends for 2025 showing a shift towards budget travel. 💡 Tip for hosts: Take advantage of the unique benefits of rental accommodation, such as offering more space, privacy or home-like amenities that hotels lack.
Highlight these features in your listings to attract those considering switching from traditional stays to hotels.
- The rise in Eco-Friendly and Boutique accommodation
Travel experiences such as boutique hotels and inns are attractive to 37.7% of travellers, while eco-friendly travel is on the radar for 30.6%.
As travellers become more environmentally conscious, demand for sustainable and personalised accommodation options is set to increase. 💡 Tip for hosts: Consider implementing sustainable practices in your rental, such as energy-efficient appliances, recycling options or eco-friendly toiletries.
Promote the intimate, personalized nature of your property to attract guests looking for a more unique, smaller-scale accommodation experience.
- Pre-booking planning : A basic strategy
Most travellers (28.1%) book their accommodation 2-3 months in advance, while a fraction (10.6%) leave it until the last minute.
Planning in advance not only ensures the best deals, but also ensures a wider range of options, allowing for a more tailored travel experience. 💡 Tip for hosts: Encourage early bookings by offering incentives such as early discounts or flexible cancellation policies.
Highlight the benefits of booking in advance, such as guaranteed availability and better pricing, in your marketing efforts.
For those who book at the last minute, consider implementing a strategy with dynamic pricing to fill gaps and maximize occupancy.
- Emerging technology: AI as a travel agent
While 46% of travellers are open to using AI to plan their trips, concerns about trust and spontaneity remain barriers.
For those who embrace it, AI offers an improved, cost-effective approach to travel planning, unlocking potentially hidden gems that traditional methods may overlook. 💡 Tip for hosts: Stay tech-savvy and consider incorporating AI tools that enhance the guest experience, such as smart home appliances or AI suggestions for local attractions.
Highlight your human touch and local expertise to reassure visitors who prefer a more personalised approach.
- Climate considerations shape travel plans
Almost half of respondents are adjusting their travel dates to colder seasons to avoid excessive heat and 19.8% say climate change is significantly affecting their destination choices.
These trends for 2025 highlight the growing awareness of the environmental impact of travel and the need for sustainable tourism practices. 💡 Tip for hosts: Prepare your property to be a year-round destination by emphasizing features that make it comfortable in every season, such as efficient air conditioning for summer stays or comfortable heating for winter.
Promote off-season stays with special rates or group experiences to attract guests who want to avoid the heat of peak season.
- Safety and convenience above all else
When booking accommodation, safety, cleanliness and proximity to desired locations are top priorities.
As 80.1% are willing to pay more for better amenities or prime locations, it is clear that travellers value comfort and peace of mind, especially when travelling to unfamiliar areas. 💡 Tip for hosts: Give priority to showcasing the safety features, cleanliness and convenient location of your accommodation in your listings.
Invest in high-quality amenities and make sure your property is spotless to justify higher prices.
Providing clear and reassuring communication about the measures you are taking for the safety and comfort of guests can be a deciding factor for many travelers, especially those unfamiliar with the area.