Holiday ‘detour’ travel trend means travellers will ditch popular destinations

Expedia Group have worked to unpack the right noteworthy travel trends for 2025, including Detour Destinations, JOMO (Joy Of Missing Out) Travel and Once-Click Trips.

Ariane Gorin, CEO of Expedia Group, said: “Expedia Group continuously work to blend technology with travel, making journeys simpler and more enjoyable.

“The Unpack report is our opportunity to reflect on what travellers are seeking and how our partners are innovating.

“From this year’s trends, I’m eager to book a One-Clik Trip and visit some Detour Destinations for my next holiday.”

Next year, travellers will not only visit favourite locations from across the world, they’ll also make some detours too.

Detour Destinations

Expedia’s Detour Destinations are close to nearby popular hotspots, making them ideal day trips or for a short detour break.

In the hunt for less crowded and less well-known but equally as gorgeous and fun, 63 percent of consumers said they are likely to visit a Detour Destination on their next trip.

The top 10 trending Detours:

1. Reims, France (detour from Paris)

2. Brescia, Italy (detour from Milan)

3. Cozumel, Mexico (detour from Cancun)

4. Santa Barbara, California, USA (detour from Los Angeles)

5. Waikato, New Zealand (detour from Auckland)

6. Girona, Spain (detour from Barcelona)

7. Fukuoka, Japan (detour from Tokyo)

8. Abu Dhabi, UAE (detour from Dubai)

9. Krabi, Thailand (detour from Phuket)

10. Canmore, Alberta, Canada (detour from Calgary)

Reims in France has gorgeous architecture as well as many champagne houses, whilst Brescia in Italy offers museums, lakes and unique history.

All-inclusive 

As well as Detour Destinations, Expedia Group ground today’s all-inclusive resorts are attracting many more people, including those from Gen Z, in search of a good deal and a stress-free holiday.

All-inclusive holidays tend to be much more relaxing due to deals often including transfers from hotel to airport as well as all food and drink.

Travellers can almost all-inclusive anywhere around the world, including Mexico and Austria.

One-click trips

With the influence of social media more present than ever, many people often buy products through influencer links.

Whilst travel shopping is still in its early stages, half of consumers said they have wanted to book a trip they saw on their social feeds.

Expedia recently launched travel industry-first shoppable storefronts curated by social media creators, tastemakers and brands with more than 100 Travel Shops live on the Expedia app.

Hotel Restaurant Renaissance

When booking hotels, travellers are often not just making room reservations, they’re also making dinner reservations too, according to Expedia.

Hotels across the world are opening restaurants attached to them featuring Michelin-starred chefs to attract diners.

Expedia said nearly a third of British travellers said restaurants reserved exclusively for hotel guests would make them more likely to book, whilst one in five said room service from a famous hotel restaurant would be their top reason.

Some hotels with notable dining experiences include ROMEO Napoli, Susana Balbo Winemaker’s House and Hotel de Coronado in California where the grand opening of Nobu is set for next year.

Other popular travel trends that will be seen in 2025 include The Phenomena List, where people will fly to experience natural phenomena in real life, and JOMO Travel, which is the joy of missing out.

This looks at holidaymakers travelling to quiet locations such as cosy cabins or peaceful beach houses to boost relaxation.

Another popular trend which will become popular is Set-Jetting Forecasr, with many people travelling through being inspired by their favourite TV shows.

This includes Scotland, inspired by The Traitors, Cape Town, inspired by One Piece and Dubai, inspired by The Real Housewives of Dubai.