Travel Trends That Defined 2024 Will Shape Travel in 2025

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Looking back on 2024, I’m filled with gratitude for a year of diverse adventures. While I traveled to Italy and Spain early on, most of my trips were closer to home, exploring the Dickeyville Grotto in Wisconsin, hiking Morton Arboretum in Lisle, and savoring coffee at charming cafes in St. Louis. These experiences, shaped by the year’s biggest travel trends, inspired me to embrace new ways of exploring and find joy in unexpected places. As we move into the new year, I’m excited to see how these trends evolve and shape travel in 2025.

Table of Contents

1. Travel Trends in 2025
2. AI-Powered Vacations
3. Travel Inspired by TikTok and Social Media
4. Road Trips and Exploring Our Own Backyards
5. Amenities Matter
6. Looking Ahead

AI-Powered Vacations

AI-powered tools like ChatGPT and Google Bard revolutionized my travel planning in 2024. They helped me uncover hidden gems like the Pink Elephant Antique Mall on Route 66 and plan detailed itineraries for places like Madison, Wisconsin. These tools saved me time and inspired me to explore deeper, making each trip feel thoughtfully designed.

However, travel in 2025 could bring challenges. Many creators are concerned about AI models like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), which often pull content from blogs without proper credit. This has led to debates about ethics and fair compensation for creators.

Even so, AI’s ability to deliver fast, tailored advice will likely keep it a vital travel planning tool. Balancing innovation with respect for creators’ work will be key in shaping its future role.

Travel in 2025– Inspired by TikTok

Social media became a surprising guide for my 2024 adventures. Viral trends led me to quirky murals in Chicago, whimsical fun at the City Museum in St. Louis, and a picturesque picnic by the Mississippi River in Muscatine. My feed felt like a treasure map, filled with ideas that added spontaneity and joy to my travels.

In 2025, this is one of the travel trends that may face challenges. A potential TikTok ban could disrupt its influence, and concerns about overtourism might make travelers rethink trend-driven trips. Still, platforms like Instagram and YouTube Shorts are ready to step in, possibly encouraging slower, more meaningful travel inspired by personal stories rather than fleeting trends. Travelers may have to find new inspiration to explore the world in 2025.

Road Trips and Exploring Our Own Backyards

Road trips and exploring our own backyards brought a sense of simplicity and connection to my travels this year. I’ll never forget the friendly locals I met at a cozy diner in South Bend or discovering a hidden waterfall near St. Louis on a whim. Weekend trips to cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, Birmingham, and Madison reminded me that incredible experiences are often just a short drive away. Exploring Lake Geneva, Cedar Rapids, and Muscatine helped me appreciate the charm and character of the Midwest. These trips weren’t just about the destinations—they were about slowing down, finding joy in the journey, and rediscovering the beauty of home. Road trips and exploring our own backyards will continue to define travel trends in 2025.

Amenities Matter

I love a luxurious hotel robe, bath bombs, and robot room service. We stayed at some stunning hotels like the Grand Bohemian Mountain Resort in Birmingham, Alabama, The Drake Hotel in Chicago, and the Hotel Saint Louis in its namesake. Early check-ins and late checkouts gave us the flexibility to make the most of each destination. Welcome champagne, members-only clubs, and art galleries on-site added depth to our stays while personalized guest experiences, like cooking classes, turned every trip into a unique adventure. Amenities like these elevated our travels, making them unforgettable and indulgent, one of the travel trends in 2025 I can get onboard with.

Getting Outdoors and Exploring Nature

Spending time in nature brought so much joy to my 2024 travels. I hiked near Madison, kayaked on serene lakes, and enjoyed quiet moments by the Mississippi River. These experiences reminded me of the beauty of slowing down and connecting with the natural world. I also embraced practices like yoga, meditation, and forest bathing, which added a sense of mindfulness and restoration to my outdoor adventures.

This trend is only gaining momentum as travelers seek restorative and meaningful experiences. In 2025, national parks, camping trips, and eco-tours will shape how we travel in 2025 by blending adventure with sustainability. Wellness activities like yoga retreats, guided meditation in nature, and forest bathing walks will also become more popular, offering travelers deeper ways to rejuvenate and connect with the environment.

Detourism

In 2024, I really got into detourism—traveling to places most people don’t know about. Steven and I spent the year visiting spots that felt unique and uncrowded, like the Amana Colonies for Maifest, where we enjoyed small-town charm and fun traditions. We also checked out the TYCOGA Winery & Distillery in Iowa and took a day trip to LeClaire, which reminded me how much beauty and character is just a short drive away.

In 2025, I think this is one of the travel trends that will keep growing as more people want to avoid crowds. It’s not just about quieter travel—it’s also a great way to support local businesses and small towns like Cedar Rapids. Do I still love an Italian Beef in Chicago or cafe hopping in New York? Of course I do. But, finding these less visited destinations makes every trip feel more personal.

Looking Ahead

The travel trends of 2024 made my year unforgettable. From spontaneous road trips to unique experiences inspired by social media, these trends shaped how I explored the world. It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year since we left South Korea. I’m not surprised; I still miss my adventures there. However, as we move into 2025, I’m excited to see how I can incorporate all the trends above into our travels back here in the States.

Will AI tools become more ethical? Can road trips and outdoor adventures continue to satiate the travel bug in us? And how will detourism reshape how we think about travel? What are your travel plans for the new year? I’d love to hear your thoughts on these trends and how they shaped travel trends in 2025.

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