Global geopolitics, economic headwinds, safety considerations and regulatory changes continue to shape traveller choices. Despite these challenges, including a soft Q1, the broader outlook remains encouraging as we move into summer. Expedia Group’s 2025 Traveller Value Index Survey reinforces that travel is more important than ever, with 50% of all consumers – and 57% of travellers under 40 – saying travel is more important to them now compared to five years ago.
American Express’ 2025 Global Travel Trends Report highlights that travellers across the globe are approaching trips with a mix of passion and practicality. For example, leisure travel is trending towards shorter, more spontaneous getaways as travellers hunt for value. But at the same time, travellers are following their passions, including their taste buds, opting for “flavourful destination dupes,” favouring authentic, budget-friendly culinary spots, and chasing their favourite musicians and athletes, otherwise known as fandom travel.
Here is a summary of key travel and hospitality trends, compiled by our global PR teams based on recent insights from media feedback, industry events, articles and webinars.
TRENDS IMPACTING THE TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
• Dynamic Pricing Powered by AI: Dynamic pricing tools powered by AI and microservices are increasingly being adopted alongside direct booking strategies to deepen personalisation and margins and make bookings more affordable for the traveller.
• Flavourful Destination Dupes: Forbes highlighted that travellers are avoiding the summer crowds and swapping culinary capitals for more local, affordable foodie destinations like Rotterdam over Paris and Alassio over Positano. Panterra recently conducted a consumer poll that revealed that nearly half (47%) of travellers are prioritising authentic local cuisine as their top food and beverage experience.
• Fandom Travel: According to Airbnb, fandom travel is on the rise again, with travellers following their favourite athletes, artists and sports to attend concerts and events. They are willing to travel great distances to be immersed in the action. For example, Manchester, England, is expecting to see a large influx of travellers as excitement for the highly anticipated Oasis reunion tour continues to increase. And with the start of the 2026 World Cup now just a year away, travel plans are kicking into high gear.
• Shorter, Flexible Getaways: Driven by a desire for more agile and less rigid travel experiences, travellers are increasingly booking shorter trips with flexible schedules, allowing for spontaneous plans. Long weekends, last-minute getaways and “micro-cations” are gaining popularity as people look to maximise leisure time without committing to extended holidays.
• Boutique and Upscale Innovations: The “resort-core” trend is gaining traction. Upscale properties are curating immersive wellness experiences, design-forward programming and lifestyle partnerships to meet traveller demand for intentionality and indulgence (Livingetc). There is also a move towards more experiential and culturally rooted hospitality. For example, Ireland’s historic hotels are embracing modern luxury with amenities like minimalist cabins, forest bathing and premium spas.
• Anti-Butler Boom: According to Condé Nast Traveller’s Biggest Travel Trends to Expect in 2025, “luxury hospitality is evolving, with travellers gravitating towards private, personalised experiences that feel more like home. The emphasis on formal service is waning, replaced by a desire for autonomy and informality.” As a result, luxury hotels are aligning with the demands of modern travellers, who are prioritising relaxation and authenticity over uptight and outdated protocols such as butler service.
UK MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES AND SHIFTS
• Roshina Jowaheer has left her role as senior content editor of travel at Hearst Magazines. It has not been announced who will replace her.
• Sarah James has been promoted from deputy digital editor to digital editor at Conde Nast Traveller.
• Christy Spring has been appointed associate editor at Escapism and Foodism. She was previously a staff writer at both titles.
• Katie O’Malley has left her role as digital director at luxury magazine ELLE.
• Jessica Snow has been appointed deputy art director at FT HTSI. She was previously senior art editor at Grazia.
• Antonia Windsor has left her role as editorial director at Beau Monde Traveler and continues to work as a freelance travel journalist.
• Jennifer George has been appointed acting beauty director at SheerLuxe, covering for Rebecca Hull, who is on maternity leave.
GERMAN-SPEAKING MARKETS’ MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES AND SHIFTS
• Renowned German publishing house Hubert Burda Media just launched a new magazine by the name of InStyle GenZ. The line extension to the well-established women’s lifestyle magazine InStyle addresses fashion, beauty, identity and values important to younger audiences. Unique to the magazine is an editorial board consisting of five well-known Gen Z voices. Aside from the print issue with a circulation of 95,000 copies, there will be a digital extension including the weekly video podcast, “Come sit with us,” which will be shared via the magazine’s TikTok and YouTube channels plus will be available on Spotify.
• German private TV channel RTL discontinued its late-night news show, “RTL Direkt.” Launched in 2021, the programme struggled with declining viewership and scheduling issues. The broadcaster now plans to shift its focus towards live coverage and is developing new formats for the channel’s anchor, Pinar Atalay, including a talk show on the sister TV news channel n-tv.
• After extensive negotiations, German publishing group Südwestdeutsche Medienholding (SWMH) is set to undergo a major restructure. Neue Pressegesellschaft (NPG) of Ulm will acquire an 80% majority stake in the Medienholding Süd, which includes regional daily newspapers such as Stuttgarter Zeitung, Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Eßlinger Zeitung and Schwarzwälder Bote. In addition, Medien Union, based in Ludwigshafen, plans to take over SWMH’s specialist publishing division. This reorganisation will enable SWMH to focus on its flagship publication, the German cross-regional daily newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, while NPG significantly expands its role in regional journalism.
• Leading German public TV channel ARD is considering extending its flagship 8 p.m. “Tagesschau” news broadcast from 15 to 30 minutes. Internal testing is underway to evaluate the feasibility of this shift, which aims to offer more in-depth reporting and meet changing audience expectations. If implemented, this could impact the traditional 8:15 p.m. start of prime-time programming across German television.
• Following the takeover of the upscale German culinary culture magazine Effilee earlier this year, German SPIEGEL Group has released SPIEGEL Extra Genuss. The online culinary magazine gives SPIEGEL readers access to the content of Effilee and features recipes and stories on global food culture.
BENELUX MARKETS’ MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES AND SHIFTS
• The Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant will no longer promote long-haul travel outside Europe, choosing instead to focus editorial content on destinations within the Netherlands and neighbouring countries.
• Avant Garde is relaunching and will be back in stores in early October 2025. The fashion glossy will be editorially led by Bastiaan van Schaik.
• The Dutch Public Broadcasting system (NPO), which reaches millions of viewers and listeners across the Netherlands through TV, radio and online platforms, has joined forces with individual broadcasters to urge the House of Representatives not to classify the reforms proposed by the outgoing cabinet as controversial. The organisations are also calling for the planned budget cuts to be reversed.
• Sky Radio is introducing a new online station, Sky Radio Top 1000. This station will feature nonstop music, focusing on the biggest hits from over 35 years of Sky Radio history.
• As of June 16, 2025, a broader group of video uploaders, including influencers, vloggers and content creators, will fall under the supervision of the Dutch Media Authority. Previously, only those with over 500,000 followers were monitored, but this threshold has been removed due to rising risks among smaller creators, such as micro-influencers. The move aligns with the Authority’s focus on creating a safer online environment for young people.
U.S. MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES AND SHIFTS
• McClatchy Media Company announced the closure of four long-running titles: In Touch, Life & Style, Closer and First for Women. This marks a major contraction in the celebrity and lifestyle print space, as reported by USA Today.
• Kaitlin Cubria is currently on maternity leave from Bustle and Elite Daily (style, fashion and beauty verticals). For any related inquiries, please contact Courteney Larocca at courteney.larocca@bustle.com. Kaitlin is expected to return in September.
• Hannah Chubb has been promoted to senior commerce editor at Condé Nast Traveler.
• Monica Humphries, formerly of Business Insider, was impacted by the recent BI layoffs. She is now freelancing across travel, alternative living and the outdoor space. She can be reached at humphriesmonica@gmail.com.
• Nina Garcia’s Insider Guide is launching June 17 via ELLE.com. The upcoming travel newsletter promises curated, stylish local insights – starting with a deep dive into Cartagena, Colombia. The series is written from Nina’s personal lens and blends cultural travel with luxury lifestyle.
• Maria Yagoda has joined Wine Enthusiast as senior drinks editor, where she’ll be shaping coverage on beverage trends and wine storytelling.
• Freelance travel editor Kaitlyn Rosati revealed in her Substack newsletter that she’s now contributing social media content for Travel + Leisure. Her work continues to blend editorial and branded storytelling with an emphasis on culinary and solo travel.
• Erica Finamore has left Real Simple. For anything Real Simple–related, reach out to hannah.baker@dotdashmdp.com for home, and melissa.matthews@dotdashmdp.com for travel.
