Unexplored hidden gems are set to become the go-to travel destination in 2025 and beyond, according to the latest trends from KAYAK. From multi-destination city adventures to trips planned by AI agents, KAYAK has revealed the major trends set to influence travel over the next five years in its ‘What the Future’ (WTF) Report.
The world’s leading travel search engine, KAYAK, partnered with The Future Laboratory to compile this report, which is based on social and cultural research, interviews with KAYAK executives and external experts, survey insights, and detailed user behavior analysis. The future of travel is coming... and it’s probably not what you expect.
According to KAYAK, there are eight trends poised to significantly impact travel between now and 2030:
- AI Agents: Utilizing AI tools to assist with holiday planning and arrangements.
- City Jumping: By 2030, travelers will likely prefer multi-stop trips over single-destination vacations.
- Vitamin T: The value of trips will begin to be measured by wellness scores.
- Feedbooking: Social media will evolve from being merely inspirational to becoming integral as holiday booking platforms.
- Virtual Voyages: Expect developments such as holographic concierges and automated airfare refunds.
- LIT: Low Intensity Travel emphasizes visits to less explored destinations.
- Spiritual Sidequests: Travelers will increasingly seek inner exploration alongside their adventures.
- Disloyalty Programme: Loyalty programs will adapt to cater to the needs of more price-conscious travelers.
“The way we travel is set to transform dramatically over the next five years, with artificial intelligence, multi-destination adventures, and wellness-driven itineraries redefining our experiences,” said Rachel Mumford, Travel Expert at KAYAK. “By 2030, the definition of ‘a perfect trip’ will be radically different.”
One notable shift is the growing movement away from popular tourist hotspots toward unexplored hidden gems. This trend is set to affect holiday choices for many Britons, who are increasingly seeking unique cultural experiences, less crowded environments, and the opportunity to travel mindfully. To aid travelers, KAYAK has released its list of the top 20 trending destinations, which are based on 2024 searches:
- Fuzhou (China)
- Munich (Germany)
- Harare (Zimbabwe)
- Cologne (Germany)
- Düsseldorf (Germany)
- Tirana (Albania)
- Salzburg (Austria)
- Siālkot (Pakistan)
- Johannesburg (South Africa)
- Nashville (United States)
- Girona (Spain)
- Reus (Spain)
- Lagos (Nigeria)
- Thiruvananthapuram (India)
- Abuja (Nigeria)
- Bilbao (Spain)
- Osaka (Japan)
- Muscat (Oman)
- Berlin (Germany)
- Bengaluru (India)
Mumford also emphasized, “The next era of travel is coming, and we predict we’ll see a shift toward unexplored destinations challenging today’s top travel spots as users strive to travel more consciously.” She pointed out tools like KAYAK’s Best Time to Travel, which helps users identify off-peak travel months, enabling them to avoid crowded travel periods. Travelers can input their intended destination and length of stay to discover the least popular time to visit.
The full ‘What the Future’ Travel Trends Report is available on the KAYAK website for those interested, offering comprehensive insights on how the travel industry is preparing for significant transformations. With these forecasts, travelers can begin to reconsider their plans, explore less-traveled paths, and embrace innovative ways of arranging their travel experiences. The era of exploring hidden gems may not be merely wishful thinking, but the new standard for adventure-seeking travelers.