As we gear up for 2025, it’s time to talk about what travel trends are on the horizon that could influence your hospitality business in the year ahead. Whether you run a cozy B&B or a bustling hotel catering to events and conferences, keeping an eye on what travelers are looking for can help you stay ahead of the game. Let’s dive into the top trends that could make a big difference for hotel owners.
Solo Travel Is on the Rise
It’s official: solo travel is becoming increasingly popular. More people are choosing to embark on adventures alone, seeking unique experiences and a little “me time.” This trend means hotels should think about creating inviting spaces for solo travelers. Cozy patios, serene pool areas, and comfy lounges are perfect for guests looking to unwind with a good book or sip a cocktail solo. Consider adding features like outdoor fire pits, garden benches, or daybeds to make your property even more appealing to this growing demographic. If you’re looking for durable and stylish patio furniture, check out MityLite’s Vita collection. These commercial outdoor furniture pieces will brighten any patio area and make your hotel destination worthy.
Seeking “The Road Less Traveled”
In 2025, travelers are looking for escapes that allow them to avoid the hustle and bustle of major tourist spots. Many travelers are interested in exploring hidden gems where they can explore at their own pace, without the stress of traffic and crowds. Less populated locations can also be more affordable for travelers, as an added bonus. As a hotel owner, consider promoting your location’s off-the-beaten-path attractions. Highlighting scenic trails, local markets, or quaint villages can draw in those seeking a more laid-back experience. Emphasizing sustainable practices and eco-friendly amenities will resonate with travelers who want to minimize their environmental impact while enjoying their stay.
Authentic Experience
Forget the typical tourist traps—today’s travelers are craving authentic experiences away from the crowds. An increasing number of travelers want to feel immersed in the local culture rather than being bussed from one attraction to another, where travelers tumble onto the street and pose for clichéd photos. This shift to more authentic experiences opens up opportunities for hotels to offer unique, localized activities. Think about organizing cooking classes with local chefs, promoting guided nature walks, or advertising art workshops featuring regional artisans. By showcasing what makes your area special, you can attract guests eager for meaningful connections rather than just Instagram-able moments.
The Rise of Sports Travel
Sports fandom is driving a new wave of travel! More travelers are planning trips centered around their favorite teams, which means hotels need to be prepared to cater to this market. Proximity to stadiums is key, but it’s not just about location; amenities matter too. Consider offering game-day packages that include shuttle services, pre-game events, or even viewing parties in your hotel. Providing spaces where fans can gather—like sports bars or lounges—will keep the focus on the excitement of the game while enhancing their overall experience.
Relax & Recharge Vacations
The post-pandemic travel surge was all about getting to “bucket list” destinations, seeing as much as possible, and spending big. But by 2025, travelers are tired of exhausting itineraries and are instead seeking relaxation and escape from the pressures of everyday life. Couples might want to lounge by the resort pool for several days rather than trekking around the city. Families might pick hotels for the on-site amenities (like a video game room) rather than the proximity to the city center, which they only plan to visit a few times during their stay. Some are calling this the rise in JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) travel.
Sentimental Trips
There’s a heightened interest in taking trips to destinations travelers have visited before, recreating childhood memories with new friends, pets, and partners. With these types of trips, the focus is on opportunities for friends and family to reconnect, and less interest in novelty and exploring every place of interest in the vicinity. Hotel owners can capitalize on this trend with advertising that evokes sentimental feelings, childlike innocence, and emotive responses.
Budget Locations
With inflation on everyone’s minds, travelers are looking to save money. This might mean taking vacations off-season, such as traveling in spring, fall, or even winter. People are also looking to save money by staying in quieter, less heavily traveled locations rather than in the city center of, say, New York City. Think Toulouse, France, rather than staying in Paris. Hotels can capitalize on this trend by promoting free and low-cost activities in their vicinity or by promoting themselves as a cost-effective alternative to staying in prime tourist areas but still being within drivable distance of many popular activities. Adding perks like free breakfast or outdoor pool areas will also go far with those seeking affordable vacations in 2025.
AI-Assisted Travel Itinerates
For some people, travel research is all part of the fun of taking a vacation. But for others, trip planning is a necessary evil and can even prevent people from booking a trip. For these travelers, AI can be a great tool to plan trip itineraries. According to Outside Magazine, 70% of travelers from the USA used AI to help them plan their vacations in 2024.1 Hotels can build on this trend by being prepared to complement travelers’ AI-generated itineraries with insider tips that AI won’t be able to offer. For instance, since AI doesn’t have the most recent information, hotels can shine by letting guests know about nearby venue closures, wildfires, and big events that could impact their schedules.
Work-cations
With an eye on budgets, Americans are combining work and pleasure travel together, flying out family members to join them after conferences or extending work trips by a few days for pleasure. This means that hotels with good conference and remote working setups will flourish. Travelers expect good Wi-Fi and a desk in every room. Hotels can attract more travelers who will be working part-time by having well-equipped meeting rooms of various sizes, including small conference rooms that can be used for video conferencing. Comfortable chairs are important; look for cushioned and upholstered stacking chairs like the Grand Banquet Chair. Hotels can provide additional services for these types of travelers by offering short vacation itineraries and selling tickets to nearby attractions.
Trips with Fido
More and more Americans are taking their pets on vacation with them, with one survey reporting that 22% of cat and dog owners took their pets on three flights in the last year.2 This trend is heavily fueled by Millennials, who have high rates of pet ownership (57%) and close bonds to pets. One in 10 Millennials lives alone, making the generation one of the loneliest. Hotels that provide extra pet services, such as pet daycare and dog walking services, can not only capitalize on the financial benefit from additional fees but will also entice more pet owners to stay at their property and recommend it to their friends.
Final Thoughts
As we approach 2025, adapting to these travel trends will be crucial for hotel owners looking to attract and retain guests. There are many things that hotels can do to use these trends in their favor and attract more customers, including: creating cozy outdoor spaces for travelers, curating unique experiences, offering amenities for pets, and catering to sports enthusiasts. These and many other ideas can help set your property apart in a competitive market. If you’re unsure where to start, talk to your guests and listen to what they want to see at your property. By staying attuned to what today’s travelers desire, you’ll not only enhance their experience but also boost your business’s success.
Sources
- Murphy, Jen, “Can AI Be Trusted to Plan Your Next Trip?” Outside Online. September 30, 2024. https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/advice/ai-trip-planning/
- American Pet Products Association, “Industry Trends and Stats.” September 29, 2024. https://americanpetproducts.org/industry-trends-and-stats
