As travel demand surges globally, the industry is blooming with new, rising trends that are likely to boost the tourism business in 2025.
Sports and music tourism
According to a press release published by WTM, sports tourism is expected to be $1.33 trillion, while music tourism is predicted to reach $13.8 billion by 2032.
Music and sports fans increase their budgets to travel more, which provides opportunities for the tourism market. Saudi Arabia, for instance, has recorded 2.5 million overseas tourists across 80 international sports events in the last four years, according to the country’s Minister of Sport, Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal.
Nostalgic travel
Many millennials gravitate towards music remakes and films from the 1990s to early 2000s. Hilton’s 2025 Travel Trends report also reveals that 75% of travelers from the UAE seek childhood dreams and special trips, embracing the “nostalgia travel” trend. Some are also looking to connect with their own children by sharing memorable experiences in familiar places.
Arts & culture influence
Travel to and from the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region will additionally see a resurgence from 2025. Numbers of arrivals there and in the Middle East can exceed pre-pandemic levels by the end of next year. According to WTM, this is due to visa-free travel initiatives and digital nomad visas. Popular Asian television shows also had an influence, such as “The White Lotus” and “Squid Game”.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts that a growing middle class in APAC will be responsible for 50% of global air passenger growth up to 2043.
Solo and sustainable travel
Digital nomadism had been rising since the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from Squaremouth revealed that 42% of travel insurance customers plan to take a solo trip this year. According to WTM, solo travelers want to avoid digital fatigue and foster face-to-face connections, asides leisure purposes.
Furthermore, the ecotourism market is likely to increase to $429 billion by 2028, where interest in sustainable travel is growing. Deloitte’s 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey found that 81% of Millennials and 79% of Gen Zs think businesses should do more to enable consumers to make more sustainable purchasing decisions.
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