Summer is prime time for travel. Between the kids being out of school, free Fridays at work, and the warm weather, it seems like everyone you know is jetting off somewhere. But while the beach and certain European cities are classic summer travel destinations, the trending spots for this year showcase a different side of the world. A recent report from Airbnb on summer travel trends states that trip-goers are looking for experience-driven trips, rather than the vacation spots that are already all over their social media feeds. The travel destinations they’re coveting in 2025 include culinary hotspots, cities where the summer’s hottest concerts are happening, and places where they can really get off the grid and in touch with nature.
To help us break down this year’s top summer travel trends, we tapped Deborah Trevino, a leisure travel advisor for Direct Travel. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing few days away or an action-packed, two-week journey, there’s a travel trend for you. Just make sure your carry-on can fit all you need before you depart!
Flavorful Destinations
According to Airbnb and a recent consumer poll conducted by Panterra, nearly half (47 percent) of travelers are prioritizing destinations that are renowned for their local cuisine instead of the sights. Alassio, Italy, and Rotterdam, the Netherlands, are just a couple of spots foodies are flocking to for top food and beverage experiences. Larger cities, like Tokyo and New York, are being passed over for more rural sites known for their food. Arakawa City, Japan, and Oneonta, New York, rank on Airbnb as trending culinary destinations.
Short and Sweet Escapes
Economic uncertainty is making people a lot more budget-conscious, but they aren’t scrapping their summer plans entirely. Instead, travelers are looking to pack more fun into shorter amounts of time. Instead of a two-week sojourn across multiple European countries, consumers are looking for more concentrated or immersive travel over a weekend or five days.
However, the financial strain doesn’t seem to be affecting those with bucket list items to cross off. Trevino notes that while people may not stay as long in destinations these days, they’re still prioritizing travel.
Fandom-Fueled Itineraries
Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour in New York last summer.
After the surge of travel surrounding Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, superfans are continuing to follow their favorite artists around the world to see them perform. This summer, it’s Oasis and Beyoncé leading the pack for most travel-related interest. According to Airbnb, searches for Houston, Texas (Queen B’s hometown) have surged by 620 percent when her Cowboy Carter Tour dates were released earlier this year. For Oasis’s long-anticipated reunion, it’s Manchester, England, garnering the most hype with a 500 percent increase in searches.
Nature-First Exploration
Rather than urban exploration and an action-packed itinerary, many travelers are looking for a more unplugged approach to travel. “It is all about relaxation and getting away from all the noise of the world, to forget their troubles,” Trevino says. “Just being off the grid, so to speak, whether on a cruise, a road trip, or in another country where you can just chill out and immerse yourself in a different culture and enjoy different foods and scenery.”
Thailand, Japan, the Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden, and Denmark), Croatia, and Greece are all trending off the charts, according to Trevino.
Spontaneous Staycations
The hottest summer travel trends for this year aren’t all far-flung destinations. In fact, 43 percent of Americans plan to drive rather than fly for travel this year, increasing the number of localized trips within 300 miles of their homes. There is a financial aspect at play here as well; 39 percent of Americans indicate they are already traveling or plan to travel domestically instead of internationally to save money.
“People are tending to want to be out in nature and experience national parks and wide open spaces,” says Trevino. “We long for space and quiet, and being in an airport with everyone, and having to meet a schedule, is not the same as a road trip where things are more on your terms.”
