5 Top-Of-Mind Travel Trends Hospitality Businesses Need To Know For 2025
Get Ready For Next Year’s Guests
Is your resort, hotel, or tourist attraction ready for 2025 travelers? Does your accommodation know what the next wave of vacationers are looking for when booking their 2025 trip?
The world of travel continues to evolve and planning for travel in 2025 has your guests thinking and planning differently than last year. Burned out from working long hours, sleeping less than needed, and stressed from running kids to practices, singles, retirees, and families alike are ready to book their vacation.
Top-of-mind travel trends are what your industry needs to know if you’re going to stay ahead of your competitors. And be fully booked all year long.
Rumor has it, and notable research organizations agree, that your guests are planning their next travel destination to include a more authentic and local cultural experience. (1)
Moms and dads, friends, and community groups are taking a proactive approach to include not only authentic trips, but sustainable properties and wellness opportunities are just as important. Up-to-date technology and community engagement are also on their minds when reserving their yearly vacation.
Looking forward to 2025, vacationers will prefer meaningful experiences that resonate with their values and expectations. Hoteliers and other lodging providers (hey, that’s you) should take note to align your offerings with your guests.
Photo courtesy by Gary Barnes at pexels.com
Bonding with friends in nature is so refreshing. Outdoor trips are top-of-mind traveling trends for 2025 vacation experiences. Provide authentic outdoor adventures unique to your destination location.
1. Authenticity
Travelers seek authentic experiences that immerse them in local cultures—living like the locals. Your destination should connect travelers to local attractions and provide memory-making spaces on-site. Superficial tourism is no longer the norm. Hoteliers can capitalize on this by offering culturally relevant activities, such as cooking classes with local chefs, guided tours led by residents, or workshops that showcase traditional arts.
By designing unique experiences, lodgings can enhance guests' stays and create lasting memories. After an authentic vacation experience, guests will likely book again. And they’ll leave a positive Google review—those much-needed five-star Google ratings to keep your business organically visible. Plus, travelers love to brag about their trip to family and friends back home. Can you say free advertising?
2. Sustainability
Sustainability continues to be a dominant theme in travel. As awareness of environmental issues grows, travelers prioritize eco-friendly accommodations and practices. In response, hotels and resorts should consider implementing sustainable practices. Reduce single-use plastics, source food locally (tastes so much better anyway), and invest in energy-efficient technologies, your resort will rise above the competition.
Certifications like LEED or Green Key can also improve a property’s appeal to eco-conscious guests. The Green Key website displays an updated global map of all the hospitality businesses that are certified through their establishment. The United States is falling way behind. (2) This will soon become an even more important trend for travelers as many families convert to sustainable living in their backyards. Travelers care about our environment and they speak with their vacation dollars.
3. Wellness Travel
The wellness travel sector is set to grow significantly in 2025, with travelers increasingly prioritizing their physical and mental well-being. This trend includes spa treatments, fitness classes, and opportunities for mindfulness and relaxation. Also trending next year are nature-based destinations. These attractions grant travelers the right to turn off their phones and breathe the outdoor surroundings.
Stargazing opportunities are on the rise. And people are looking for less light pollution where the night sky is lit with stars. (3) Who hasn’t felt peace, wandering up in our grand universe? Priceless.
Hotels should consider integrating wellness amenities—like yoga sessions, meditation areas, and health-focused dining options—into their offerings. Creating serene environments that encourage relaxation will attract guests looking to recharge.
As more businesses provide travel conferences, incorporating opportunities for indoor and outdoor sports packages will solidify teamwork relationships among coworkers. This is especially important for Gen Z—They love a good competition.
Photo Courtesy by Monstera Production at pexels.com
Resorts host company conferences and training weekends. Coworkers can enjoy a little friendly competition outside of work. Team-building opportunities keep your guests active and engaged. This top-of-mind travel trend encourages wellness fun.
4. Technology Integration
The integration of technology into the travel experience is more important than ever. From mobile check-ins to personalized guest services, technology can significantly enhance the customer experience. Hoteliers should explore adopting smart technologies that streamline operations and improve guest interactions. For example, using apps for concierge services can cater to tech-savvy travelers, providing convenience and personalization. Technology trends for traveling are consistently valuable for industry leaders. Keep up with the updates regularly.
Travelers who bring along their children are more likely to choose all-inclusive resorts for balancing family fun and personal relaxation. These younger guests almost always have tech in hand. (4) They’ll appreciate opportunities to explore while capturing the “perfect Insta shot.”
Here’s my cool idea:
Your destination includes a little competition for this Gen Alpha group (age 14 and younger). Create a scavenger hunt for a few scenic areas throughout your resort (your best photo spots). These specific locations are the famous selfie picture locations. Once the kiddos post their selfie and tag your resort, they receive a complimentary treat. This is a fun way for kids to explore your amazing property and promote your destination on social media. 😀
Photo Courtesy by Kampus Productions at pexels.com
Young travelers love capturing selfies for their social posts. Help them capture the best pictures of your destination for special family memories and to boost your social visibility.
5. Community Engagement
Finally, travelers are increasingly interested in giving back to the communities they visit. Hotels can facilitate this by offering opportunities for guests to engage in local charitable activities, such as volunteering or participating in community projects. (5)
Many nonprofit organizations host events seasonally to raise funds for their charity. One event happening nationally is the Paws for Freedom, organized by JOY International. Registration and challenge runs from October 1, 2024-December 31, 2024. Walking with or without your dog will raise money to fight child trafficking. (6)
The hospitality industry is a hot spot for human traffickers and predators. Hotel administration and staff need to be aware of these unfortunate circumstances. (7) Your business contributes to safe communities by always keeping your eyes and ears open at your destination.
Gather a list of local community events and post it online or send it through your email newsletters. This gives your guests active charity events happening during their travel dates. Including travel trends for your immediate region is helpful for your guests planning their itinerary.
Also, partnering with local restaurants, small businesses, and unique attractions helps build local business and community. This enriches the travel experience and fosters a sense of connection and purpose.
Photo Courtesy by Joy International
Fight Child Trafficking by walking with Paws For Freedom.
October 1, 2024-December 31, 2024. JOY International (8)
Ready, Set, Pro—Your Best Offerings Now
Vacationers long for less crowded places and an off-the-beaten-path destination. You’ve begun preparing for your future guests’ experiences.
Be ready and set your attraction ahead of others by addressing top-of-mind travel trends with authority. Provide your best offerings now and secure your bookings today.
With an array of options in America and globally, travelers and hoteliers must stay informed to meet the shifting demands of vacation trends.
Understanding the emerging travel trends—focused on authenticity, sustainability, wellness, technology, and community engagement—will empower travel destinations and attractions to tailor their offerings and provide exceptional experiences for their guests.
https://rusticpathways.com/inside-rustic/online-magazine/what-travel-trends-to-expect-in-2025
https://rusticpathways.com/inside-rustic/online-magazine/what-travel-trends-to-expect-in-2025
https://www.deseret.com/lifestyle/2024/10/24/hilton-trends-travel-types/
https://rusticpathways.com/inside-rustic/online-magazine/what-travel-trends-to-expect-in-2025
https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/240624_bc_hospitality_toolkit.pdf
