Travel Trends and Terms

How were your travels last year? Did you include wellness activities during your trips? I had a great travel year!  Research polls and studies show that people are on the move again in post-pandemic years. Travel and wellness trends for 2025 show that people will continue to catch trains, planes, and boats.  Are you interested in learning more about travel and wellness trends and terms?

Recently, I did some research to find out what travelers want and expect during their trips. A few terms consistently came up. First, Wellness was mentioned regularly. Women and men of all ages want to escape and feel better mentally and physically.

Soft Travel

According to the Hilton Travel Report, soft travel is a trend. What is soft travel? It is simple, easy, and beneficial to mental health. The report states that 1 in 5 travelers plan to escape for self-discovery and mental health. People are looking inward, individually, and want off the grid. I like the term soft travel, and it fits my vibe! It’s a term that incorporates travel and wellness.


Slow Travel

Another term is slow travel. How is slow travel different from soft travel?  Slow travel is immersive into a different country for an extended period.  You may spend a month or two in one country to experience the food, culture, people, or language. Travel is a learning experience. It’s also an opportunity to fill your intellectual wellness cup. What better way to gain new knowledge than to immerse yourself for an extended time?  How do you feel about slow travel?

FOMO and JOMO

Two terms that gave me new insight into travel trends and people’s needs were JOMO and FOMO. JOMO is the joy of missing out. FOMO is the fear of missing out. Currently, the trend is JOMO. People want to miss out on the stresses of work, life, politics, and more. Travel is one way to find the joy of missing out.  Thus, soft, slow, and wellness travel trends are high in the travel market.

Food Tourism is a growing travel market. Photo taken during the. SAWA Taste of Tunisia Tour.

Wellness Travel

For a moment, let’s talk about wellness travel. This market continues to grow exponentially. People want to escape it all and feel physically, emotionally, and spiritually better afterward. I can say “amen” to that! Some travelers are taking wellness sabbaticals. You may be wondering what that is! It’s a planned break from work and life responsibilities to focus on health and wellness. A wellness sabbatical is a chance to rejuvenate, reset, and care for yourself.

Do you need a break from your usual routine? Where can you take a wellness sabbatical? Wellness resorts offer programs that include holistic therapies, nutrition plans, and movement activities.  Hotels are upping their wellness games with wellness packages that include spa access, special meals, and other activities.

Women and Wellness

For women 50 and over, there are menopause moments wellness packages. Hey, it’s selling.  For new moms, there are post-partum hotels, too.  Women focus on their well-being and are willing to spend time and money on what they want during their travels.  They want spa treatments, nourishing escapes, and thermal springs.  Don’t underestimate the power of women spending money!

Here are a few more travel trends per Expedia.

Travel Trends 2025

  • 63% of consumers said they are likely to visit a less well-known and crowded destination for their next trip.
  • 66% of travelers said movies and TV shows have influenced their travel choices.
  • 62% of travelers said JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) Travel reduces stress and anxiety.

More travel trends from CNBC.

  • Travelers are seeking less explored locations to avoid over-tourism and crowding.
  • Celestial Retreats are becoming popular. These retreats combine astrology and wellness, offering stargazing, yoga, and zodiac-inspired spa treatments.
  • Solo travel is increasing. Many people are planning multiple trips this year, and tour operators and cruise lines are catering to the growing demand.
  • Culinary travel is a growing market. Exploring destinations by learning about their food is a way to experience a location’s culture, people, and history.
  •  Event-Driven Travel: Major events and concerts influence travel plans, with individuals organizing trips around specific happenings. Festivals, concerts, and natural phenomena like a solar eclipse can drive tourism to destinations.
Travelers want to know the joy of missing out on life’s stresses.

Skift.com shows that 51% of Gen X and 48% of Boomers want a relaxing vacation. Forty-eight percent of Gen X and 44% of Boomers wish to have sightseeing activities. The average travel days for both generations is 26-27 days. Generation X’s favorite social media platforms are Facebook and Pinterest. Ads with informative content influence sixty-six percent of Boomers. Skift calculated the data from an Expedia report.  Click here for more data.

If you’re interested in more wellness travel trends, click here. The Future of Wellness Travel is a comprehensive report. If you’re over 50 and want to learn more about senior travel trends, the Senior List has valuable data and spending habits.

Conclusion

Travel trends and terms change from year to year. The information in this post was based on several travel reports by major companies or agencies. I will continue to monitor and research for updates and changes. Continue to travel the way that makes you happy and brings you peace. Safe travels, and be well!

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link, a small commission may be paid. 


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *