Relaxation, adventure and visiting loved ones, among the seven travel trends for 2025—survey
Travel has transformed from a luxury to a necessity. Every scroll through social media is a reminder of someone's latest adventure, and airlines are vying for our attention with countless seat sales. With more people seeking experiences that enrich their lives, travelers are not just interested in visiting new places—they want to see the world in more meaningful and immersive ways.
A 2025 Travel Trends survey conducted by digital travel platform Agoda in October revealed key factors that will shape the travel landscape in Asia in the coming year.
The survey—which included 1,081 respondents from 11 Asian countries, including Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam—shows a strong focus on relaxation, family-oriented trips, and the excitement of discovering new destinations as primary motivations for travelers.
Travel with family
In 2025, families are expected to prioritize vacations that bring them closer together, create shared memories, and cater to various interests and needs. From multi-generational trips to custom itineraries designed for every family member, traveling with loved ones is becoming the top choice for those looking to experience the world together.
Across Asian travelers, "family time equals quality time." In the survey, more than a third of Filipino travelers (36%) plan to travel with family in 2025. Family travelers (34%) are followed by couples (23%), and solo travelers (19%) in terms of most popular travel groupings among Asian travelers.
Top travel motivation: Relaxation
In a world increasingly dominated by fast-paced lifestyles, high stress, and constant digital connectivity, more and more travelers seek to escape daily life's pressures and recharge.
Hence, as we move into 2025, the motivations behind why people travel are becoming clearer: relaxation is at the top of the list, with 75% of the respondents citing relaxation as their most important travel motivation.
In the Philippines, adventure and activities (48%) and visiting family and friends (45%) are the second and third most popular reasons for travel, respectively.
Tech-assisting in travel planning
Technology is deeply ingrained in our daily lives. Given the latest advancements and innovations, it has transformed the way we plan, book, and experience travel. For travelers, advanced AI-driven tools and immersive virtual experiences mean more convenience, personalization, and efficiency.
According to Agoda, a substantial majority of Filipino travelers (87%) plan to use travel apps, while about one in eight (14%) are interested in virtual reality tours.
Journey more, spend smart
Filipino travelers are more focused than ever on managing their travel expenses. While the allure of new destinations, experiences, and adventures remains strong, budget considerations are consistently at the forefront of their decision-making.
Whether it’s a weekend getaway to a nearby island or an international vacation, affordability significantly shapes travel plans. In the survey, it showed that 74% of the Filipino respondents plan to spend less than $250 (P14,566) per night on accommodation.
But even though things might be a bit more expensive, most people still want to travel. 88% plan to travel as much as they did this year, or even more, and over half of them will be traveling abroad. More than a quarter of respondents (27%) plan to travel both domestically and internationally.
Traveling on and off the clock
As the lines between work and personal life continue to blur, especially in the post-pandemic world, more travelers are navigating the challenge of balancing their professional obligations with the desire to explore new destinations.
In 2025, the concept of "traveling on and off the clock" is emerging as a dominant trend, with individuals seeking ways to enjoy leisure travel while still staying connected to their work responsibilities.
A lot of Filipinos (23%) still plan to go on traditional work trips, but there's also a growing number of people who work remotely. About 4% of Filipinos expect to work remotely next year, taking advantage of flexible work arrangements to combine work and travel.
"Most prospective digital nomads in the region are from the Philippines, where one in fourteen travelers expect to work while traveling," Agoda said.
If you are a digital nomad, Taiwan, Thailand, and South Korea are some of the Asian countries you can visit with a "workcation" visa.
New destinations in 2025
One of the most prominent travel trends is the desire to explore new and unique destinations, with 84% of travelers expecting to visit new destinations in 2025.
According to the survey, travel inspiration can come from many sources, including personal interests and hobbies (70%), great value deals (37%), and recommendations from friends and family (34%).
Visiting theme parks
Theme parks have long been a major attraction for travelers of all ages. From iconic destinations like Hong Kong Disneyland to immersive experiences offered by places like Universal Studios Japan, theme parks are no longer just a local activity—they are central to many travelers' plans, driving both domestic and international tourism.
As we move into 2025, over one in eight travelers (13%) expect to travel specifically to visit a theme park in 2025.
If you are looking for one, visit these theme parks and attractions to add more thrill to your next trip abroad.