There are travelers who do a little “bleisure,” which is basically a fancy word for sneaking in a little work on a leisure trip and/or extending a business trip for a few non-required days, and those who seek out “destination dupes” (smaller cities with a vibe similar to what is often a larger and more expensive destination).
“Then there are “quirky life travel” trips and “justi-cations” — particularly on TikTok — trendy new terms for what are long-existing travel practices yet seem to pop up every time one opens up the app.”
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But when it comes to trends that are actually expected to grow in large numbers in 2025, travel-booking platform Booking.com (BKNG) just put its weight behind something called “noctourism” — trips tailored around activities, such as stargazing or exploring city lights during the holidays — that can only be done once the sky turns dark.
What noctotourism is and how you can do it: a brief guide
Booking.com’s annual Travel Predictions research numbers show that 62% of the 27,713 people across 33 countries polled were interested in visiting destinations especially known for their darker skies, while 72% were specifically looking for stargazing experiences. Another 59% would consider travel for a one-time cosmic event like the Great North American Eclipse in April 2024, while 57% have heard about and would try constellation tracking.
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In that regard, the Norwegian city of Tromsø has been growing in popularity among both North American and British tourists.
“Tromsø is northern Norway’s largest city and hailed as one of the top destinations to experience both the Northern Lights and the midnight sun phenomenon — just not during the same time of year,” Booking.com writes.
Another destination that has (somewhat strangely) been singled out by tourists for its nightlife is the town of Tignes in the French part of the Alps.
While skiing in the winter is the most obvious daytime winter activity there, the town is also becoming increasingly known for its night-time après-ski scene that includes “traditional alpine delicacies, sun soaked terraces, bars and clubs to dance the night away.”
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A windmill is seen in rural England against a background of the Northern Lights.
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These are some other travel trends you should know about for 2025
Separate trends identified by Booking.com include following an AI-generated itinerary for fun or just to see where it will take you, “Boyz II Zen” wellness retreats that were once more popular among women but are increasingly being done by all-male groups and a growing number of people in their later years seeking out travel with more adventurous elements than have done so in the past.
Just over 23% of the baby boomers (generally classified as those born between 1955 and 1964) polled said they were interested in trips that involve some level of adventure. This is already a 10% increase from the numbers looking ahead at 2024 while a further 23% specifically said they are interested in pushing past comfort zones.
The most common activities for travelers older than 60 who want to push boundaries include horseback riding (31% of those polled expressed an interest), wine raves (27%), skydiving (11%), sand surfing (11%) and cave diving (10%).
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