By Alison McGill
Making trip plans for the year ahead? Now is the time to plot those dream vacays. For 2025, we love to see the biggest trends in travel are focused on joyful experiences and making new friends.
Travel app Skyscanner recently unveiled its annual travel trends report. Not only did the list reveal the buzziest destinations topping Canadian travelers’ bucket lists—Turks and Caicos, Peru, Thailand, Portugal, and Japan are the top five—but also seven key travel trends. Interestingly, all of these trends are focused on travelers’ desire to tap into community and enjoy the freedom to be yourself while exploring the world.
“In 2025, we are seeing Canadian travelers looking to embark on more communal and immersive adventures, from cheering on their favorite team at major sporting events to exploration installations or bonding with fellow gamers on themed vacations,” shares Laura Lindsay, Skyscanner travel expert. “This shift highlights a growing desire for shared, meaningful moments that create lasting connections and foster a sense of belonging within a global community.”
Read on to discover Skyscanner’s top travel trends for 2025—which one will you be embracing for your next vacation(s)?
Sport Mode
A passion for sport is influencing how travelers, especially Gen Z, explore a destination. Skyscanner reports 65% of 25-34-year-olds are looking to explore a new place by running or cycling, while 21% of all Canadian travelers’ plan to attend or participate in a sporting event while on vacation.
Astro-Adventures
Astro-tourism combines the adventure of exploring celestial events alongside the mystical insights of astrology. Canadians want to stargaze and catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights during their travel adventures. Just as we saw in 2024, many people are also into or planning a vacation where they can best experience a lunar or solar eclipse.
Reset-Jetters
The rise of health, resilience and longevity tourism is a very big thing. Skyscanner reports search data revealed Gen Z travelers are very much inclined to take a health-conscious approach to their holidays.
Art-Venture
Art and culture have long been a favorite motivation to travel. Skyscanner researched revealed 53% of Canadian travelers say culture is the most important reason for choosing a holiday destination.
Cowboy Core
Call it the Yellowstone effect. Young Canadians love Cowboy Core and want to have a vacation focused on this. Farm stays and enjoying meals around a campfire are two essential experiences travelers are looking for in a country cool getaway.
Horti-Culture
Escaping into nature and exploring glorious gardens garden holds allure for many Canadians. Skyscanner research revealed over 71% of travelers plan to visit gardens while on vacation inspired, a trend very much inspired by their at-home hobby of choice.
Gami-Vacation
Building on last year’s trend of ‘Main Character Energy,’ where travelers were looking to step into the shoes of their favourite TV and film characters, travelers are now also inspired to book a trip abroad based on the locations from their top video games.
