The top travel trends, unique destinations, including the Mandarin Oriental Costa Navarino, and the changing motivations that are shaping the future of global travel are revealed in the Tripadvisor Trendcast report from the leading travel platform.
The exhibition highlights transformative travel trends, from Beauty Voyagers seeking unique wellness experiences around the world to travellers discovering Nano – neighbourhoods and those seeking unique spa experiences, such as at the Mandarin Oriental on the Costa Navarino.
These emerging patterns highlight the destinations, experiences and inspirations that are shaping the future of travel.
Based on Tripadvisor’s extensive global data, the report, sponsored by Travel Guard, a leading travel insurance provider, serves as a valuable “forecasting tool” for the travel industry.
Hilary Fischer-Groban, Head of Research at Tripadvisor, said: “The Tripadvisor Trendcast is not a typical annual trend report – it’s a look at the future of travel and the consumer behaviours we believe will shape our industry in the coming years. Exploring first-hand insights from millions of travellers around the world revealed interesting trends and huge cultural shifts that are shaping travel.”
By delving deeper, he added, into emerging trends and cultural shifts through our first-party data, the Tripadvisor Trendcast serves as a “roadmap” for travelers and industry leaders, inspiring the travel of tomorrow.
These trends delve into the full travel experience, exploring what drives us, how we choose to explore and who follows us on the journey.
Here are the top, travel trends and the best destinations to experience them:
Beauty Voyagers
The self-care phenomenon is reaching new levels as beauty-focused travellers seek out treatments and rituals unique to specific destinations. From traditional practices to the latest innovations, these trips are redefining wellness travel. Discussions about skincare treatments on Tripadvisor forums have increased by 87% and beauty-related bookings have skyrocketed by 400%.
Where: Experience Ayurvedic treatments in Sri Lanka or visit the spas of South Korea, where snail mucus is as common as sunscreen.
Τime tripping
The rise of remote and hybrid working has changed the way we travel, with worcaton, work/leisure trips becoming the norm. Travellers are making the most of their free time, planning experiences beyond the typical 9-5. Imagine early morning tours of the Vatican or late night bike rides through the quiet streets of Kyoto. Searches for terms like “open late” and “24-hours” on Tripadvisor have increased by 110% in the last year.
Where: At The Nautilus Maldives, time is not a constraint as it offers everything from massages at 2am to 24-hour dining.
Written in the Stars
As mystical practices gain popularity through trends such as WitchTok, spiritual and worldly experiences are becoming important motives for travel. Searches on Tripadvisor for terms like “astrology,” “tarot” and “full moon” have increased over 500% in two years, reflecting the growing demand for these unique offerings.
Where: The Standard in London curates monthly zodiac camps tailored to the signs of the zodiac, while the Mandarin Oriental on the Costa Navarino incorporates crystal therapy into its spa menu.
Investigative Eating
Conversations about sustainable eating have increased by 65%, with travellers actively seeking farm-to-table options and ethically sourced meals. Visits to attractions such as farms and farmers’ markets are growing 1,400% faster than the broader food and drink category as travellers connect with the origin of their food.
Where: Enjoy a food holiday at famous restaurants like Don Julio in Argentina or participate in seasonal activities at farms like maple syrup production in Vermont.
Nano Neighborhoods
The classic tourist route is losing its appeal as travellers focus on immersive, hyper-local experiences. Instead of compressing multiple stops into one trip, they explore neighborhoods in detail, one street at a time. Sightseeing pages in neighborhoods on Tripadvisor are growing 134% faster than the average sightseeing page.
Where: The city that’s the most popular of all other cities in Europe, Seville’s Centro Histórico saw its traffic grow 97% year-over-year (1,145% faster than average), while Chicago’s Wrigleyville saw a 72% increase over the same period (824% faster than average).
Solo Social
Solo travel is no longer just occasional. Turning independent adventures into shared experiences, over a third (36%) of solo travellers said that ‘meeting new people’ was the main motivation for their trips and they are 60% more likely to mention ‘making friends’ in their reviews. The industry is responding to the needs of solo travelers, with solo cabins on cruise ships and solo menus at new, “hot” restaurants.
Where: Try the award-winning small group tour of London’s historic pubs or make new friends in far-flung places like Iceland on a full-day tour of the south coast.
The Tripadvisor Trendcast report is based on insights from millions of travellers worldwide. By analyzing searches, reviews, bookings, page views and forum discussions over the past two years, the report identifies key changes and emerging patterns in the travel landscape.
