From star-bathing experiences to life-lengthening retreats, here’s what to expect for next year
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Booking.com reveals top travel predictions for 2025 travel
Booking.com has revealed its top eight predictions for travel in 2025 for British travellers.
- Noctourism: stargazing soars as Brits look for darker, cooler climates in search of cosmic adventures
With space tourism edging ever closer to reality, travellers will be focused on building connections with the universe as they turn to more attainable astro-pursuits in 2025. Ditching the daylight crowds for midnight magic, over half of Brits (57%) are considering visiting darker sky destinations with star-bathing experiences (61%), star guides (52%), once in a lifetime cosmic events (59%), and constellation tracking (49%) top of the stellar adventure list.
Concerns around climate change have also influenced this shift, with 50% planning to elevate their nighttime pursuits to avoid rising daytime temperatures and 27% of travellers preferring to holiday in cooler locations. Protection from UV rays is important for 61% of British travellers who say they plan to reduce the amount of time they spend in the sun when away.
An appreciation for the nocturnal world is also deepening travellers' connections with nature, as half of travellers from the UK (50%) would book an accommodation without lights to encourage less light pollution and preserve flora and fauna.
Given the rising popularity of these destinations, travellers will feel a sense of responsibility when visiting, with most (54%) saying they won’t tag locations on social media to keep destinations under wraps and avoid encouraging flocks of Instatourists.
48% of UK travellers reveal they would pay for a holiday that's sole purpose was to extend their lifespan and wellbeing, meaning 2025 could mark the first year of the rest of their longer lives.
Driven by the desire to cultivate better lifestyle choices, 50% of British travellers are interested in a longevity retreat – wellness retreats that focus on the pursuit of a longer, healthier life.
Deep revitalisation is a top priority, from body vibration (49%) and red light therapies (47%) to cryotherapy (35%) and stem cell treatment (32%).
Over half (52%) of Brits are looking for new wellness activities they can mix into their daily lives as they reconnect with a more balanced version themselves, including learning about timed coffee ingestion (27%) and IV therapy (26%).
‘Ski’ holidays will be on the rise - but not on the slopes - as parents flip priorities by Spending Kids’ Inheritance (SKI) instead of squirreling savings.
Nearly half of British travellers (42%) would rather spend money on a trip of a lifetime in 2025 than leave inheritance to their children.
But next year, this trend will take on an increasingly altruistic approach as older relatives look to splash the cash among their families, making important memories and helping the younger generations through the cost of living crisis by paying for their next trip.
While 51% of UK travellers admitted that their parents had already paid for their holidays or part of their holidays since being an adult, boomers are likely to influence an uptick thanks to the 71% who are happy to pay for their children when booking their next trip and 69% their grandchildren.
- Baby boomers chase thrills in 2025
Forget a restful retirement; next year an emerging cohort of baby boomers will put adventure first and look for trips that satisfy a need for thrill seeking. Nearly one quarter (24%) of this generation are interested in holidays that involve adventure (up from 13% in 2024**) and 15% are eager to push beyond their established comfort zones, reconnecting with the reckless abandon of youth.
14% said they would take to the water to canoe down the world’s largest rivers, 13% would be interested in sand surfing, 10% will lace up their hiking boots to trek one of the highest mountain ranges while 13% will hunt for glaciers.
With different ways of thinking and processing information, neurodivergent travellers will be putting their often invisible needs in the spotlight, using emerging and evolving technologies to revolutionise how they experience the world in 2025.
There is growing momentum around the need for less conventional and more inclusive approaches to travel experiences that better connect with neuro-atypical needs: over a third (37%) of those who consider themselves neurodivergent in the UK have had a negative experience while traveling due to their neurodivergence, while 41% believe their travel options are limited because of their neurodivergence.
Many would like to see technology play a greater part of their travel journey and help reduce theirs, or their travel companions’, anxiety.
Sensory rooms in airports, hotels and other locations are sought after by 62%, while 67% would like to see more ‘block out noise’ options across the travel experience.
In fact, the call for progress in 2025 is loud and clear with 61% wanting an industry-wide initiative or programme that shares their needs and preferences seamlessly with airlines and accommodation providers, providing a closer connection between travellers, platforms and operators.
Over a third (36%) of British travellers said they would be interested in buying their holiday wardrobe during their trip rather than before, while 56% would visit thrift shops on holiday.
No doubt influenced by both cost and climate awareness, this shift isn’t just about style - it’s about staying savvy.
48% of travellers intend to be thriftier on their trips and 61% are tightening budget planning in order to maximise their experiences, finding bargain hidden gems in second-hand shops has become a pivotal part of the adventure.
Flying in the face of fast fashion and mass consumerism, 26% say they find better quality products in vintage stores abroad than at home, while 29% say they buy vintage on holiday because they find better bargains.
Gone are the days of arriving ‘just in time’ to avoid lingering post-security, as travellers reframe their 2025 holiday kick-off to embrace a new era of airport entertainment. More than a quarter of British travellers (26%) express an interest in visiting somewhere because of its airport, with 54% curious about airports with more unique experiences or facilities.
But it’s Gen Z who look set to fuel this trend. 45% are keen to consider destinations based on their airport – interested in everything from sleep pods (35%) to Michelin star restaurants (14%). With over half of Brits (52%) suggesting they would feel more excited and stress-free about their trip if there were a wider array of facilities for use prior to their flight – travellers are searching for that ‘holiday feeling’ way before they board the plane.
- Men-only wellness trips for male bonding and mental health
Male travellers are abandoning popular expectations and ‘lad culture’ cliches to switch off from the stresses of everyday life (26%), rest and rejuvenate (26%), in pursuit of mental health benefits (21%) and personal growth (19%).
Building connections, both old and new, will be crucial with 13% considering a men-only trip to tackle feelings of loneliness, more than a quarter (27%) looking to make new friendships and 19% looking to improve their relationship building skills with friends and family.
Arjan Dijk, senior vice president and CMO of Booking.com, said: “In 2025, travellers will be using their trips to transform themselves, their relationships and ultimately the world around them. A growing proportion of men are seeking getaways that challenge outdated gender expectations and foster mental wellbeing.
"And almost one in five boomers are refusing to let age keep them from chasing down new adventures.
"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.”
