The Top Travel Trends of 2025

In the era of constant connectivity and fast-paced lifestyles, the concept of "slow travel" is becoming increasingly popular. This trend is all about quality over quantity, with people opting for longer stays in fewer destinations. The Skift Research's 2025 Travel Outlook report indicates a staggering 24% rise in the number of trips people are planning for the year, with long leisure vacations emerging as the most popular travel style.

Why the shift? It's simple: travellers are realising it requires time to truly experience your destination. Julia Carter, founder of luxury travel agency Craft Travel, notes, "Travellers are moving past the obsession with snapping photos at overcrowded tourist attractions or famous hotels just to prove they've been there. Instead, they are increasingly aware that a destination truly comes alive when they take the time to savour it.”

The preference towards longer trips has also jumped in popularity with the rise of hybrid work, as digital nomads are finding creative ways to blend work and leisure, turning two days of annual leave into five-day holidays and sneaking in meetings while on the road. Who doesn’t love an admin catch-up while on the beach?

Emerging as a major travel trend in 2025, ‘destination dupes’ offer budget-conscious travellers alternative destinations with similar vibes and attractions to the more popular ones, but at a fraction of the cost. As everyone wants to be the first to discover the latest ‘hidden gem’, platforms like Instagram and TikTok are inspiring a new generation of tourists to seek out that perfect photo opportunity at the lesser-known locations.

Some popular destination dupes include:

Budapest instead of Paris

If you’re dreaming of Paris but want to skip the sky-high prices and overwhelming crowds, Budapest is the perfect alternative. With its grand architecture, charming cafés, and a romantic atmosphere, you can stroll across the Chain Bridge at sunset, soak in historic thermal baths, or sip wine in a Belle Époque café just like you would in Paris, but for less!&affilid=stn

Faroe Islands instead of Iceland

Craving something a little less crowded and more off-the-radar? TheCuraçao instead of St Martin

Curaçao is the perfect dupe to experience the stunning beaches and vibrant culture of St. Martin without the crowds (and hurricane season worries). This Dutch Caribbean gem has the same crystal-clear waters, colourful architecture, and European-meets-island vibe, without the hefty price tag or packed resorts. Curaçao