# Defying Conventions for Connection: 9 Travel Trends for 2025

**Publisher:** Booking.com  
**Published:** n/a  
**Category:** Travel tech  
**Type:** Survey  
**Access:** Free  
**Official source:** https://news.booking.com/de/konventionen-trotzen-fuer-mehr-verbundenheit-9-reisetrends-von-bookingcom-fuer-2025  
**Canonical:** https://tourismintel.ai/reports/konventionen-trotzen-fur-mehr-verbundenheit-9-reisetrends-von-booking-com-fur-20

## At a glance
- 45% of German travellers plan night-time tourism to dark-sky destinations; 59% interested in star-bathing and 49% in unique astronomical events.
- 52% of surveyed travellers interested in longevity retreats emphasising deep revitalisation therapies; 51% would pay specifically for life-extension holidays.
- 49% use technology to find authentic experiences; 53% avoid geotagging lesser-known sites to prevent overtourism.
- 19% of baby boomers seek adventure holidays in 2025, up from 6% in 2024; 53% of German baby boomers prefer spending on trips over leaving inheritance.
- 31% interested in visiting destinations for airport amenities; Gen Z and millennials drive demand for sleep pods (23–26%) and spas (13%).

## What the report covers
Booking.com surveyed 27,713 adults across 33 countries (including 1,009 from Germany) planning leisure or business travel within 12–24 months, conducted July–August 2024. The analysis identifies nine emerging travel trends for 2025, emphasising how travellers are redefining norms around age, gender, sustainability, technology, and wellness. German-specific findings are reported alongside global patterns.

## Key findings
Night-time tourism driven by climate concerns and astro-activities. According to the survey, 45% of German travellers consider dark-sky destinations. Star-bathing (59%), guided star tours (44%), astronomical events (49%), and constellation observation (46%) rank highest. Climate motivates the shift: 43% intensify evening activities to avoid daytime heat, 30% prefer cooler destinations, 63% prioritise UV protection by limiting sun exposure, and 52% plan evening and early-morning activities. Notably, 38% would book accommodation without artificial light to reduce light pollution and protect ecosystems.

Longevity retreats redefine wellness travel beyond conventional spa tourism. The report finds 52% of surveyed travellers interested in longevity-focused retreats aimed at extending lifespan and health. Deep revitalisation methods cited include body vibrations (48%), red-light therapy (47%), cryotherapy (40%), and stem-cell treatment (31%). Over half (52%) seek new wellness activities to integrate into daily life, while 51% would specifically pay for holidays extending lifespan and wellbeing.

Artificial intelligence enables authentic, responsible travel planning. Nearly half (49%) use technology to make informed decisions and find authentic experiences benefiting visited destinations. While 28% interested in AI-powered itinerary design, responsible tech use emerges equally important: 53% avoid geotagging lesser-known destinations on social media to prevent overtourism. For Gen Z (44%) and millennials (45%), inability to tag locations influences destination choice, prompting 53% to seek technology identifying less crowded alternatives and 13% using apps for real-time crowd management.

Multigenerational travel reflects shifted spending priorities and intergenerational support. The survey reports 45% of German travellers prefer trip spending over inheritance; this rises to 53% among baby boomers. Generationally, 72% of baby boomers wish to fund adult children's travel and 78% for grandchildren's, helping younger generations navigate cost-of-living pressures. Fifty percent of German travellers report parents have funded trips since adulthood, a pattern expected to intensify.

Male-only wellness travel gains acceptance, prioritising mental health over stereotypes. Over one-third (38%) would encourage men in their lives to take male-only trips; this rises to 61% for Gen Z and 54% for millennials. Male travellers cite stress relief (24%), rest and recovery (23%), mental-health support (15%), and personal development (14%) as motivations. Notably, 51% of women encourage partners, 35% encourage friends, 18% encourage brothers, and 16% encourage fathers to participate.

## Key numbers
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| German travellers considering night-tourism to dark-sky destinations | 45% | German respondents (n=1,009); 2025 forecast |
| Travellers interested in longevity-focused retreats | 52% | Global survey (n=27,713); 2025 intention |
| Travellers avoiding geotagging lesser-known destinations on social media | 53% | Global figure; overtourism prevention |
| Baby boomers seeking adventure holidays (2025 vs. 2024) | 19% vs. 6% | Year-on-year comparison |
| German baby boomers preferring trip spending over inheritance | 53% | German subset; 2025 preference |
| Neurodivergent travellers reporting negative travel experiences | 56% | Self-reported negative outcomes due to neurodivergence |
| German travellers interested in buying holiday wardrobes during trips | 39% | German national data; Gen Z subset reaches 55% |
| Travellers interested in visiting destinations for airport amenities | 31% | Global figure; millennials reach 38% |

## Why it matters
**DMOs & destinations** — DMOs must develop dark-sky certification and astro-tourism infrastructure; position destinations as longevity-wellness hubs; create neurodivergent-accessible experiences; and market adventure to older demographics. Multigenerational marketing—emphasising shared experiences—shifts budget allocation. Sustainability messaging around secondhand shopping and low-impact night activities attracts cost- and climate-conscious travellers.

**Hotels & hospitality** — Hoteliers should invest in sleep pods, sensory rooms, noise-reduction technology, and high-end F&B at airports to capture pre-travel spending. Longevity retreat programming—red-light therapy, cryotherapy—differentiates premium properties. Male-only retreat packages, multigenerational suites, and adventure-activity partnerships cater to emerging segments. Reducing light pollution and offering evening programming aligns with night-tourism demand.

**Travel tech & distribution** — Platforms must enhance AI trip-planner features identifying authentic, less-crowded alternatives and highlighting responsible travel options. Implement geolocation privacy controls and quiet-zone recommendations for neurodivergent travellers. Airport and accommodation data integration, real-time delay notifications, and sensory-space mapping unlock new service layers. Secondhand marketplace integrations and vintage-shop mapping capture emerging leisure-shopping revenue.

## Methodology and limits
Booking.com commissioned an online survey of 27,713 adults across 33 countries (including 1,009 from Germany) conducted July–August 2024. Participants plan leisure or business travel within 12–24 months. Figures represent self-reported intentions and preferences (forecasts), not observed behaviour. German-specific breakdowns are provided for select trends; global findings reported where country-level data unavailable. Year-on-year comparisons reference a separate 2024 survey (July 2023) of 27,730 respondents.

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© Booking.com for the original report. This brief is an original editorial summary by TourismIntel (https://tourismintel.ai). Read the original: https://news.booking.com/de/konventionen-trotzen-fuer-mehr-verbundenheit-9-reisetrends-von-bookingcom-fuer-2025