Expedia’s annual Unpack report for 2025 reveals how UAE travellers are ready to embark on a new era of adventure in 2025, with highlights including six key trends that will shape the future of travel.
Detour destinationsUAE travellers are increasingly seeking out lesser-known destinations. Cities like Reims in France (a detour from Paris), Brescia in Italy (a detour from Milan), and Girona in Spain (a detour Barcelona) are becoming popular choices for those looking to escape the crowds and explore new cultures. Goods getaways
The rise of social media has fuelled a trend of Goods Getaways, with travellers seeking out unique products and souvenirs. From Korean skincare to French butter, travellers are incorporating shopping into their itineraries. The report cites that when going on vacation, 78 per cent of UAE travellers chose a holiday destination based on getting an item they cannot find locally. Set-jetting
Popular TV shows and movies continue to inspire travel. In 2025, UAE travellers are expected to flock to destinations like Paris, inspired by Emily in Paris, and Tokyo, inspired by Shogun, among others.
According to the report, three-quarters of UAE travellers say movies, streaming services and TV shows have influenced their travel choices. Documentaries about competitive sports and nature lead the way, with 27 per cent taking travel inspiration from them. All-inclusive luxury
All-inclusive resorts are becoming increasingly popular among UAE travellers, especially Gen Z, who are seeking stress-free vacations.
In the UAE, over 90 per cent of travellers are likely to stay in an all-inclusive resort in 2025, says the report. Also, 47 per cent say their perception of all-inclusive hotels has changed for the better, and over half agree that an all-inclusive resort would be their preferred hotel choice.
The top three reasons Gen Z globally is embracing their all-inclusive era are minimal stress (41 per cent), ease of booking (39 per cent), and because staying at all-inclusive hotels feels luxurious (38 per cent). Hotel restaurant renaissance
Travellers are choosing hotels based on their dining options, with many seeking out Michelin-starred restaurants and innovative culinary experiences. More than half of UAE travellers to global destinations prefer hotels with room service from a famous restaurant in their hotel. Local residents have proven to be bold and daring with their dining choices, with over 40 per cent looking forward to menus that have a seasonal rotation instead of a la carte, says Expedia’s Unpack’25 report. Phenomena seeking
From the Northern Lights to the Great Migration, UAE travellers are seeking out unique natural phenomena in 2025, says the report. Watching the synchronous firefly season illuminate the Great Smoky Mountains and witnessing the Black Sun starling migration in Denmark’s Wadden Sea National Park, are some experiences travellers have been researching.
Other awe-inspiring phenomena include the penguin parade in Phillip Island, Australia, the bioluminescent plankton in Vero Beach, Florida, and the ballet of Japanese cranes in Hokkaido, Japan. For those seeking dramatic landscapes, Iceland’s volcanoes, lava fields, and black sand beaches offer a breathtaking spectacle, while the Northern Lights in Lapland and the highest tides in the world in the Bay of Fundy provide unforgettable natural experiences.