Get ahead of travel in the new year by learning where and how travelers will be hitting the roads and skies. Looking at some of the biggest names in travel—Hilton, Skift, SmartFlyer, and Virtuoso—there are some major trends shaping up for 2025. Consider the following destinations and experiences with the freshest ways to get in on next year’s trends now.

Travel Trend: Silver Bullet Wellness Tourism—Virtuoso’s 2025 trend report expects “Silver Bullet Wellness” to increase, where travelers seek to cure what ails them.

Wellness tourism is set to grow 16.6 percent annually and reach $2.1 trillion by 2027. Ananda in the Himalayas is one of the best places to tap into those wellness experiences. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025, this world renowned retreat is at the forefront of wellness with time-tested traditional sciences like Ayurveda, TCM, yoga, and meditation. The retreat has developed a repository of case studies that document transformational outcomes across various health concerns, including digestive health, hypertension, obesity, autoimmune diseases, chronic musculoskeletal pain, hormonal imbalances, sleep disorders and more. Each program is built on therapeutic treatments combined with ancient healing practices, offering guests proven solutions to their specific health challenges. They’ll find pathways to address health issues such as menopause, hormonal health, better sleep, fertility enhancement and more.

More than 50% of its guests arrive with concerns regarding mental wellbeing, and Ananda has positioned itself as a positive force for good in the world of travel, offering a sanctuary where guests can reconnect with themselves, heal from emotional and physical challenges, and restore their sense of purpose. Ananda addresses spiritual health, incorporating Vedanta lectures, meditation and mantra chanting in its daily activities alongside mindfulness, self-awareness, and inner growth into its programs. With a blend of mindfulness practices, yoga, and emotional healing practices such as transpersonal psychology, Ananda’s programs address deep-seated emotional disturbances to help guests find balance while also fostering long-term resilience.

This holistic approach offers a pathway for guests to achieve long-term health, emotional balance, and spiritual peace. The combination of personalized care, ancient practices, and deep research into traditional wellness systems results in life-changing experiences. By setting the benchmark for wellness tourism, Ananda has made travel not only a means of rejuvenation but a positive force for personal and societal well-being.

Travel Trend: Sustainability and Regenerative Travel—Skift’s Megatrends 2025 shows that 50% of travelers will pay more for greener travel, while 59% want to support businesses that engage in more responsible travel practices.

Hotel Belmar in Monteverde, Costa Rica, celebrates its 40^th anniversary in 2025. This carbon-neutral, family-owned ecolodge located in Costa Rica’s cloud forest has 26 beautifully appointed rooms and suites. The luxury ecolodge debuted a new food and beverage menu in 2024 along with an extensive redesign and renovation of almost all of the property’s rooms—both initiatives furthering their sustainability ethos. Hotel Belmar has pioneered programs that transform the travel experience to encourage environmental stewardship, regeneration of the ecosystem, economic benefit to local communities, and cultural activities that promote diversity.

Onsite vegetable gardens, the nearby Finca Madre Tierra farm, Restaurante Celajes, the Juice Bar, and the Belmar Brewery create the regenerative cycles that distinguish Hotel Belmar’s commitment to long-term sustainability. Menus pay homage to Costa Rica’s agrarian traditions, transforming the land’s gifts into balanced. nutritional dishes. Vegan or vegetarian options are offered for most dishes. Their “garden to glass” mixology menu showcases the garden-fresh herbs, fruit, and grains that can be hand-picked and crafted as freshly squeezed juices, aromatic infusions, bitters, and garnishes for colorful cocktails and drinks. Their onsite juicing and local sourcing have enabled the hotel to operate a bar that is virtually plastic-free.

Getting there is easier than ever. Montverde is located equidistant from international airports in San Jose and Liberia. Costa Rica and Delta announced a new route from Boston Logan International Airport starting on January 11, 2025, and will run through May 31. Alaska Airlines, the largest U.S. carrier between the West Coast and Latin America, announced new nonstop service to Liberia, Costa Rica from San Francisco and Seattle. American Airlines added a new Saturday-only service starting December 7 from Philadelphia to Liberia Airport.

Travel Trend: Culinary Tourism—20% of travelers seek out new culinary experiences according to Hilton’s 2025 annual trends report, making food travel big business in 2025.

Traveling Spoon won the Tour Innovator at this year’s Arival & TourReview Spotlight Awards. This category honors tour operators that demonstrate innovative approaches, offer creative itineraries that set them apart from traditional offerings. Founded in 2013, Traveling Spoon connects travelers with private food experiences, from home cooked meals to cooking lessons, with personally vetted hosts. Traveling Spoon’s mission is to create meaningful travel connections, preserve food traditions, and provide income for food producers around the world by connecting travelers directly with hosts to ensure that each host receives the majority of the tourism dollar. In addition to cooking sessions, Traveling Spoon has also launched 150 online cooking classes led by home cooks, as well as producer tours and outdoor experiences.

New in 2024, Traveling Spoon has added more destinations and off-the-eaten-path culinary experiences and currently offers private experiences in 233 cities in 70 countries globally. Traveling Spoon’s co-founders Aashi Vel and Steph Lawrence have identified where travelers will be eating in 2025. Trending destinations include Buenos Aires, Seattle, France’s Provence region, and the Azores. For travelers seeking to tap into these culinary hotspots, Traveling Spoon offers multiple experiences to taste them in unique ways.

For example, Nico is an artist living in the Chacarita neighborhood in Buenos Aires where an emerging food scene is making NYTimes headlines. His pasta making classes are an immersive way to explore the city. The company recently also launched several experiences in Seattle, where Pike Place Market is just the start of a foodie’s journey. A new host in Gordes, France, a town in Provence, is home to unique flavors—and a filming location from Emily in Paris. Out in the Azores, Portugal, this new foodie scene is providing an alternative to the beaten paths of Lisbon.

Travel Trend: Skipping AI for human inspo – SmartFlyer’s 2025 trends report reveals that people are looking for human recommendations when they travel, not AI-generated ones.

While in Rome, getting the personal touch is key to avoiding the crowds and having a more authentically Italian experience. Rome is a perennial favorite destination that’s even more enticing next year when the Jubilee 2025 takes over Rome and the Vatican City. It will be an exciting time to visit Rome for its cultural and religious celebrations, but also a time to seek out personalized advice and experiences to avoid the masses.

Skip the AI itinerary and visit iconic locations like St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums early in the morning or later in the afternoon to dodge the biggest crowds with a custom-tailored itinerary with ArcheoRunning who specializes in early bird morning tours and just announced an array of new private experiences for 2025—fully free of AI! Early risers will get an insider’s view of Rome without the crowds with a private running, power walking or walking tour led by ArcheoRunning’s founder, Isabella Calidonna, an art historian, archaeologist and physical trainer. Since entire country of Italy will be bustling with Jubilee 2025 festivities, take a train to Orvieto where Lucianna Coppola, owner of Umbria in Tour takes travelers on a personalized insider’s tour of the breathtaking Umbrian countryside. And don’t miss visiting the charming and magical small town of Allerona for a customized private tour with Elizabeth Heath, founder of Villaggio Tours. 

Already a travel destination that tops many a bucket list, Italy promises to be an extraordinary cultural and spiritual celebration during Jubilee 2025, throwing a spotlight on the cultural heritage of this timeless country. Located in Monti just steps away from the Termini Station, Bettoja Hotels offers three hotels ideal for travelers seeking the excitement of Rome without feeling stuck in the middle of the crowds. Surrounded by the famous artistic and cultural wonders of the Eternal City, Bettoja Hotels is a family run hotel chain born from the passion of the Bettoja family for hospitality in 1875. Bettoja Hotels is ready to welcome families at the four-star Hotel Mediterraneo, with its severe and monumental luxury standing among the best examples of Art Déco in the capital. Hotel Massimo d’Azeglio, the first property to be acquired by the group, maintains its “Umbertino” style and exudes all the charm of the Risorgimento: it boasts a precious cellar of fine wines where the suggestive Italian atmosphere of the turn of the century reigns supreme. The Hotel Atlantico, also located on the Esquiline, welcomes guests in a charming building from 1935.

Travel Trend: Overlooked Destinations—According to SmartFlyer’s 2025 trends report, travelers are seeking cachet when they travel, not cliché, and achieve that by going where no one else is going.

Travel planning company Naya Traveler recommends these three overlooked destinations to visit in 2025. Each destination boasts a rich tapestry of culture, history, and natural beauty, making them ideal choices for discerning travelers seeking unique adventures in 2025.

Cambodia in Southeast Asia blends the architectural marvel of Angkor Wat and the serene Tonle Sap Lake, captivating travelers with deep spiritual roots and vibrant history. The country’s remote jungles, colonial capital of Phnom Penh, and pristine islands like Koh Rong make it worth visiting. Despite its tragic history, Cambodia’s resilience and cultural wealth make it an intriguing place to explore in 2025.

Meanwhile, both Kashmir and Ladakh are two of India’s most beautiful regions, but often overlooked when compared to more frequented spots in India like Goa, Kerala, or Rajasthan. Nestled between the Himalayas and Karakoram ranges, these regions boast dramatic landscapes, from lush green valleys and serene lakes to high-altitude deserts and ancient monasteries. Visitors can explore the historic Mughal gardens of Srinagar, meet artisans, or trek through the awe-inspiring Nubra Valley.

Rooted in first-hand expertise and intimate knowledge, Naya Traveler’s highly personalized itineraries focus on exclusive insider experiences that bring back purpose and value to travel and provide a unique space to discover a destination through the eyes and knowledge of those who know it best. Naya Traveler works with an exceptional group of local hosts and expert guides in each destination, from historians and artists to ethnographers and chefs.

Travel Trend: Hotels are back—Hilton’s 2025 annual trends report makes one thing clear: luxury travelers are on the rise, especially for those under 6o years old.

Luxury travelers looking for a top experience in the Caribbean need look no further than Calabash Cove Resort and Spa, one of the most popular all-inclusive, adults-only boutique hotels in Saint Lucia, a Caribbean treasure offering seclusion, beauty, and mesmerizing views. With nearly 20,000 new hotel rooms opening on the island, increased airlift from the US, and projects for a cruise port expansion, St. Lucia is a luxury escape on the rise. But with just 26 suites, Calabash Cove Resort and Spa keeps things intimate, blending old Caribbean charm with modern luxurious resort amenities. Highlights include the Windsong restaurant and lively C-Bar overlooking the infinity pool, and the peaceful Ti Spa. Personalized attention is key to every guest’s experience. The culinary team at Windsong Restaurant accommodates any dietary needs and personal requests including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose-free, and more.

The unconditional all-inclusive covers all meals and beverages including room service, daily food specials including a daily lobster dish (when in season), premium drinks, a stocked in-room bar (with full size bottles), over 20 wines from the wine list by the bottle for breakfast, lunch or dinner, gratuities/tips, and Wi-Fi. The only restriction is the “Reserve du Patron” section of the wine list. Calabash Cove has a small Cybex cardiovascular fitness center and provides kayaks, paddle boards and snorkeling gear free of charge to guests.