In 2025, three forces are reshaping how travellers make their choices: sustainability, a quest for authenticity, and wellness. Add to this a growing shift towards digital trip planning, with 80% of travellers preferring to organise their holidays entirely online. Here are the key trends to know, along with the practical precautions that come with each.
Eco-tourism and responsible travel: the number-one priority
90% of travellers are actively seeking responsible travel options, and 53% prioritise sustainable accommodation when booking (Regiondo, 2025). This aspiration is taking very concrete forms:
Credit: Round the world by justin_vidamo, CC BY 2.0, via Openverse.
- Eco-certified accommodation: eco-lodges, passive houses, and farm stays powered by renewable energy.
- Greener transport: long-distance train and coach travel are winning back market share from air travel.
- Slow travel: settling in one place for several weeks rather than hopping between destinations. 55% of travellers say they want to travel without a fixed itinerary (Regiondo, 2025).
Practical tip: heading to a rainforest eco-lodge, a remote nature reserve or a mountain refuge often means moving far from medical facilities. Cover that includes medical assistance and emergency repatriation becomes particularly valuable, depending on your destination.
To explore this shift further, read our guide on responsible travel, a trend that’s here to stay.
Get travel insuranceWorkation: working while travelling, a firmly established trend
The “workation” (a blend of work and vacation) has firmly established itself since the rise of remote working. In 2025, travellers are staying away for longer, maintaining their professional activity from afar, and choosing digital nomad-friendly destinations: Lisbon, Dubai, Medellín and Bali, all of which offer dedicated visas, co-working spaces and reliable connectivity.
Practical tip: workation stays often exceed 90 days, which is the maximum duration covered by most standard travel insurance policies. It is essential to check the maximum coverage period in your policy before you leave. In the event of a medical evacuation, costs can exceed 20,000 euros depending on the country (france-epargne.fr): adequate health cover for long stays is not a luxury.
Authenticity and “dupe destinations”: escaping the crowds
48% of travellers are actively seeking lesser-known alternatives to classic destinations (Travel Insight, 2025). Paros over Santorini, Patagonia or Oman over well-worn circuits: the originality of the itinerary now takes priority over the fame of the destination. 57% of travellers also say they are interested in local cuisine and historical visits.
Practical tip: alternative destinations sometimes offer more limited medical infrastructure. Look into local health conditions before you go, and check that your cover matches the specific requirements of the region, in line with your policy.
For inspiration, our selection of Patagonia, Medellín and Oman to discover in 2025 will help you choose your next adventure.
Wellness tourism: caring for body and mind abroad
The global wellness tourism market is estimated at nearly $978 billion in 2025, with annual growth of 9.3% (Future Market Insights). Yoga retreats, thermal spa breaks, meditation stays, post-burnout recovery programmes: health tourism is no longer the preserve of a privileged few. Travellers are combining healthy eating, gentle activities (tai chi, Nordic walking) and therapeutic treatments.
Practical tip: some treatments abroad (alternative medicine, acupuncture, thalassotherapy) may not be covered under the exclusions in your policy. Check your cover carefully before committing to a medical or wellness stay abroad.
Solo travel and skip-gen travel
Two segments are growing in 2025: solo travel, particularly among women, with specialist agencies and dedicated groups; and “skip-gen travel”, meaning grandparent-and-grandchild holidays without the middle generation.
Practical tip: senior travellers have specific coverage needs, particularly regarding pre-existing conditions (depending on your policy). Solo travellers, with no companion to step in during an emergency, would do well to take out 24/7 assistance cover.
AI is redefining how we plan travel
40% of travellers plan to use AI to organise their holidays in 2025 (Travel Insight). From tailor-made itineraries to hyper-personalised recommendations, instant translation and real-time weather alerts, digital tools are transforming the travel experience from start to finish. This shift also applies to insurance: online sign-up, instant certificate delivery, and remote claims management.
Micro-trips and short breaks closer to home
In the face of economic uncertainty, micro-trips (a few days, a long weekend) are booming. Local tourism is on the rise, and travellers are making the most of bank holidays and annual leave to stack up short adventures with a minimal bag and a flexible plan. Before booking multiple stays, check that your cover remains valid for each destination and for the duration of each individual trip.
Entry requirements and local conditions: always check before you go
The new trends are drawing travellers towards countries whose entry requirements or local conditions change regularly. For example, the new rules for travelling to Tunisia from 1 January 2025 illustrate why consulting official information before every departure matters, whatever the destination.
FAQ
What are the main travel trends in 2025?
The major trends are: sustainable travel (eco-tourism, slow travel), workation (working while travelling), wellness tourism, the search for authentic and less crowded destinations, and the use of AI for planning. Micro-trips, solo travel and intergenerational travel (“skip-gen travel”) are also on the rise.
Does workation require specific travel insurance?
Yes. A workation stay often exceeds 90 days, which is the maximum duration covered by most standard travel insurance policies. You need to check the maximum coverage period, medical cover and emergency repatriation provisions. A medical repatriation flight can cost over 20,000 euros depending on the country of departure.
Is sustainable travel really a lasting trend?
Yes. 90% of travellers are actively seeking responsible options in 2025, and 53% prioritise sustainable accommodation when booking (Regiondo, 2025). Demand for eco-certified accommodation, train travel and slow travel continues to grow.
What precautions should you take for a wellness stay abroad?
Some treatments abroad may not be covered under the exclusions in your travel insurance policy. Check your cover before booking a medical or wellness stay outside your home country, and make sure the treatments you plan to have are included.
Which destinations are trending in 2025?
The major classic destinations (France, Spain, Italy) remain very popular. The real standout of 2025 is the rise of “dupe destinations”: Oman, Patagonia, Medellín, Paros, Georgia. These lesser-known alternatives appeal to travellers seeking authenticity, but may require more preparation in terms of health and logistics.
