Travel

Skyscanner unveils 7 key 2025 travel trends

Travel global app Skyscanner’s 2025 Travel Trends report has an interesting revelation: It’s going to be a year of collective travel experiences.

Whether it’s cheering on your favourite team at a sports event, participating in immersive art exhibitions or gathering around a campfire at a farm stay, Singaporean travellers are increasingly drawn to experiences that bring people together.

Skyscanner Travel Trends and Destination Expert Cyndi Hui (above) said: “In 2025, Singapore travellers look forward to embarking on new journeys, with 53% indicating the desire to travel more in the coming year. We’re witnessing a significant shift towards collective travel experiences, as more travellers seek shared activities that foster connection and build community.

“People are looking to be part of something larger, embracing experiences that create lasting memories.

“However, costs remain a concern. More than half of the Singapore travellers we surveyed plan to spend the same or more on travel next year, while those planning to travel less cite cost as their main consideration.

“Skyscanner is dedicated to helping travellers experience the magic of travel within their budget. With features like Skyscanner’s Whole Month View, which easily identifies the cheapest day to fly, and Price Alerts, which informs users of price changes, users can snag the most value-for-money flights, ensuring that the joy of exploration is within reach for all.”

Black Dragon Pool park in Lijiang, Yunnan, China. PHOTO: Skyscanner

Using proprietary data, a specially commissioned survey of over 1,000 Singapore travellers and trusted industry insights, Skyscanner’s Travel Trends report reveals everything about travel in 2025 – from the top 10 trending and best value destinations to the hottest emerging travel trends.

Unpacking the trends

The report identifies seven key trends, all reflecting the growing demand for unique and immersive experiences, as travellers seek fresh ways to explore the world.

Astro-adventurers

In 2025, stargazing experiences are sky high on Singapore travellers’ wish lists. More than half of them plan to chase the Northen Lights, while 40% are eager to sleep under the stars.

Skyscanner asked Preston Dyches from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to share five tips to help Singapore travellers stargaze like a pro. He said:

Find dark skies: Move away from city lights, as human-made light pollution makes it much harder to see stars.

Seek open landscapes: Choose a location with unobstructed views, such as a lake shore or meadow, to increase your visibility of the night sky.

Check the weather: Make sure the skies are clear by checking for clouds and wildfire smoke, ensure the winds won’t be too gusty and be prepared for the forecast temperatures.

Reach higher altitudes: Higher locations, above dense air and haze, give you clearer skies and better views.

Scout safely: Visit your stargazing spot during the day to identify and avoid any potential hazards like rocks and branches. And be aware of local wildlife.

Astrology is also gaining influence in travel decisions, with 66% of 25 to 34-year-olds interested in curating their trips based on their zodiac signs.

Clear blue lagoon water with cruise boats in Okinawa. Photo: Skyscanner

Additionally, 44% of Singapore travellers believe that planetary and lunar activities, such as Mercury Retrograde or full moons, can impact the outcome of their holidays, reflecting a growing fascination with how celestial events shape travel experiences.

Art-Venture

Immersive art experiences are trending, with 41% of Singapore travellers planning on visiting one in the coming year.

For many, the appeal lies in the ability to not just observe but actively engage with art (44%)

Trashi Chhoe Dzong, Thimphu, Bhutan. PHOTO: Skyscanner

International art collective teamLab said: “We have seen great demand for appreciating immersive art in the recent years, not only by Japanese visitors, but also from travellers around the world, particularly from countries such as the United States, Singapore and South Korea.

“Our “teamLab Borderless,” located in Tokyo’s Azabudai Hills and opened on February 9, 2024, surpassed one million visitors as of September 30, and has been widely praised.

“Highlighted by TIME magazine as “a space of intricate design that stands out from the immersive art that has become a staple of social media’, we expect to see this trend of appreciation to continue strongly. Going forward, teamLab will continue to create experiences that allow people to explore new perspectives and relationships with the world through immersive art.”

PHOTO: INSIDE RECENT

The emphasis on shared experiences is powering several other 2025 trends:

* Reset Jetters – As Singapore travellers increasingly prioritise health and wellness, 77% believe that vacations are essential for building mental resilience. In fact, 42% are more likely to maintain their health and wellness routines while travelling.

*Flower Power – A significant 65% plan to travel to see cherry blossoms in 2025, with 53% also eager to experience the vibrant hues of autumn. Additionally, 74% are keen to visit gardens while on holiday, reflecting Singapore travellers’ strong desire to connect with nature’s seasonal beauty.

* Sport Mode – Sports have long been a unifying force, and this is set to be more evident in 2025. In fact, 15% of Singapore travellers plan to travel abroad specifically to experience a live sporting event. For more than half of these travellers (53%), the allure goes beyond the game itself – it’s about the feeling of excitement and the thrill of cheering for their favourite teams alongside fellow fans and the entertainment the game brings.

* Cowboy Core – 33% of Singapore travellers revealed a liking for the cowboy aesthetic. Nearly half (49%) want to experience the simplicity of a farm stay, while 41% are drawn to the idea of dining around a campfire.

* Gami-vacation – Blending gaming with travel, more than half (59%) of Singapore travellers feel inspired to visit destinations seen in video games. This trend offers a unique way to merge virtual excitement with real-world exploration, making travel more interactive and engaging than ever.

Spending more and staying savvy

Despite the current economic backdrop, Singapore travellers are continuing to prioritise travel, with 89% intending to travel the same if not more in 2025. However, the value for money remains a priority.

Evening scene in Innsbruck, Austria. PHOTO: Skyscanner

For 75% of Singapore travellers, flights remain the most important cost factor, with 83% budgeting to spend the same, if not more, on flights in 2025 compared to 2024.

In addition, holiday spending is set to increase for accommodation and car rental, with a 34% and 13% increase in budgets respectively.

For those who like to stay ahead of the game, using Skyscanner’s Price Alerts ensures you’re instantly notified of any price changes, allowing you to seize the best deals the moment they appear.

Travellers can also take advantage of Skyscanner’s Cheapest Month tool to effortlessly pinpoint the most budget-friendly month to visit their desired destinations.

In 2025, the travel industry is poised for a remarkable transformation, driven by the power of artificial intelligence (AI), dynamic pricin, and a heightened focus on sustainability.

More than 60% of Singaporean travellers feel confident using AI to assist with their travel plans in the coming year, signalling a shift toward more tech-savvy, efficient travel planning.

Powered by Open AI’s Chat GPT technology, Savvy Search is an app exclusive tool on Skyscanner that helps travellers generate up to three curated destination recommendations based on their prompts on what they are looking for, simplifying the travel planning process.

Find out more about Travel Trends 2025 at: https://www.skyscanner.com.sg/travel-trends

Shenzhen in China. PHOTO: Skyscanner

The top trending destinations for Singapore travellers

This is based on destinations seeing increase in flight searches between 1 January 2024 and 30 June 2024 for travel throughout 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

These happening hangouts have had the biggest increases in searches over the last year:

1 Lijiang, China +410%
2 Thessaloniki, Greece +368%
3 Chongqing, China +354%
4 Tromsø, Norway +193%
5 Okinawa, Japan +134%
6 Rovaniemi, Finland +125%
7 Hangzhou, China +101%
8 Daegu, South Korea +73%
9 Paro, Bhutan +43%
10 Innsbruck, Austria +42%

In 2025, Singaporean travellers are planning to expand their horizons beyond Asia, venturing into unique and diverse destinations across the globe.

The allure of witnessing nature’s celestial light show firsthand is drawing more Singapore travellers to seek out these dreamlike destinations.

With the rising interest in astronomical phenomena, destinations like Tromsø in Norway and Rovaniemi in Finland are seeing a 193% and 125% increase in searches respectively.

China is emerging as a hot travel spot , with Lijiang (topping the list with a 410% search increase), Chongqing and Hangzhou being in the top 10 trending destinations.

The biggest factors driving the choice in holiday destinations for 2025 are: food (75%), attractions (65%) and weather (62%).

When it comes to the most popular activities to do on a holiday, shopping is high on the agenda (59%), with sampling local food (58%) and historical tours (39%) also coming out on top.

Destinations offering the best bang for travellers’ buck in 2025

The results are based on % price drop for economy class return flight booked between 1 January 2024 and 30 June 2024 for travel throughout 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

1 Okinawa, Japan -41%
2 Shenzhen, China -37%
3 Vienna, Austria -27%
4 Birmingham, England -24%
5 Nice, France -21%
6 Male, Maldives -20%
7 Wellington, New Zealand -20%
8 Hangzhou, China -18%
9 Hobart, Australia -14%
10 Vancouver, Canada -12%

Over the past 12 months, the price of flights to Okinawa, Japan have fallen by 41%. This is followed by flights to Shenzhen and Vienna and Praya which have fallen by 37% and 27% respectively.

Value for money remains a key factor for Singapore travellers, with the cost of the flight (74%) and hotel (65%) being the biggest factors determining the destination. This is followed by the cost of activities (44%).

However, more than half (53%) of Singapore travellers have budgeted to spend more on travel in 2025 compared to 2024, while 36% will spend the same. Only 6% said they’ll spend less.

Despite concerns about the rising cost of living, many Singapore travellers are showing a willingness to upgrade their experiences, prioritising comfort and peace of mind.

The top areas for spending include travel insurance (42%), better quality of food on flight (35%) and flight seat selection (34%), reflecting a continued focus on enhancing the overall travel experience.

Skyscanner

Skyscanner is a leading global travel app that helps travellers plan and book their trip with ease and confidence. Every month, Skyscanner connects millions of travellers, in 52 countries and 32 languages, to more than 1200 trusted travel partners so they can find the best flight, hotel or car hire options.

Founded in 2003, Skyscanner has offices worldwide, where traveller-first innovations are developed, powered by data and insights. Making use of the latest technology, Skyscanner simplifies the complexity of travel and provides honest and transparent solutions, searching more than 80 billion prices every day so travellers can be sure they’ve seen the best possible options, all in one place.

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