Modern Travel Trends: The More Travel Changes…

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Modern Travel Trends: The More Travel Changes…

November 13, 2025

Is everything old in travel new again? A look at modern travel trendssuggests that yes, as a number of contemporary travel trends making headlines have roots that go back to the Gilded Age.

Giddy-Up

Cowboy-inspired travel received a huge boost from Teddy Roosevelt when he got back in the saddle of his political career at a ranch in the Dakota Badlands after losing his first wife and mother on the same day in 1884. Another came via Hollywood a century later when the Billy Crystal vehicle, City Slickers, earned $100 million-plus in the U.S. and dude ranches began popping up everywhere from Europe to South America to Asia. Occupancy rates of 85 percent to "filled to capacity" outstripped those of the hotel industry at the time, according to the Christian Science Monitor.

Now, says Vogue, cowboy-core fans are "saddling up to visit destinations where 10-gallon hats are as common as caps and where ranches and rodeos reign." Inspirations are everywhere, from Beyonce's Grammy-winning Cowboy Carter, to the late, great Paramount melodrama Yellowstone, which tapped The Barfieldin Amarillo, Texas, an Autograph Collection address managed by Coury Hospitality, as a backdrop for an early episode. The property is bringing the spirit of the fan-favorite western to life with The Ranch Hand Retreat Package, a cowboycation designed for those who want to step into the world of ranching royalty, complete with luxury accommodations, rugged adventures, and signature experiences inspired by the show.

At the forefront of the cowboy-core moment is the super-luxury Forbes Five-Star Montage Big Sky. The first luxury offering in the destination, the resort has put Big Sky, Montana, on the map in a big way and travelers seeking authentic and quintessential Americana experiences can enjoy horseback riding, biking, fly fishing, private tours of Yellowstone National Park, and helicopter excursions to working ranches. Some nine hours south by car or a bit longer on horseback is the world's largest outdoor rodeo during July at Cheyenne Frontier Daysin Cheyenne, Wyoming, noted by Travel + Leisurelast year as becoming "the Nashville of the West," with genuinely affordable accommodations such as Little America Hotel & Resort, which has been hosting since 1934.

Sandwiched Generations

Though definitely of his time, American painter Norman Rockwell was also a soothsayer of current travel trends, as evidenced by Coming and Going, which graced the cover of The Saturday Evening Post in August 1947, capturing a joyful, nostalgic scene of a family packed up in its station wagon, embarking on summer roadtrip, grandma, dog and all.

While families have always traveled as units, family getaways are getting more extended, with 47 percent of travelers planning multigenerational family trips in 2025, up 17 percent from last year, according to the travel insurance marketplace Squaremouth. The tide is rising among Millennials and Gen Zers in particular, with the 2025 Global Travel Trends Reportfrom American Express Travel reporting that 58 percent of those demographics who have crossed the great divide to parenthood plan to bring their extended family along on vacation this year, as opposed to 31 percent of Baby Boomers and Gen Xers.

Meanwhile, keen insight from Virtuosorevealed that 2025 will see seven generations traveling together for the first time ever, with Matures born between 1925 and 1945 at one end, Generation Beta born between 2025 and 2039 at the other end, and Baby Boomers, Millennials, Gen X, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha in between.

Neat! But where should multi-gen travelers stay? Riffing on the concept of the "Sandwich Generation" - that is, those typically of middle age who are caring for elderly parents and their own progeny at once - FINN Travel recommends:

• Evermore Orlando Resort, located next door to Walt Disney World, offers a variety of spacious accommodations for families of every size - from Houses to Flats, Villas, and even Conrad Orlando at Evermore- to fit the preferences of any traveler looking to stay in style, space, luxury, and comfort. What's more, there's a plethora of activities across the resort complex for all to enjoy, from Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole golf courses, to Evermore Bay with 8 acres of crystalline waters and 20 acres of tropical beach.
• onefinestay, the luxury rental brand, welcomes groups of families to feel at home at their chalets, villas, and apartments across the globe - from Paris and London to the Caribbean and Italy. Families can take advantage of the 24/7 concierge service and book services like babysitting, private chefs, high chair rentals and cots, and even Loveverykits - educational toys, books, and games via play-kit subscription boxes designed to meet the developmental needs and brain development of toddlers and babies.
• Nomadic Expeditions, the premier luxury tour operator in Asia, creates bespoke itineraries that cater to the whole family's interests, whether they're adventure seekers or wellness enthusiasts. Families can immerse themselves in authentic cultures and local experiences, such as booking travels to Mongolia and staying at Three Camel Lodgeand experiencing engaging activities from horseback and camel rides to archery, ger visits with local nomadic families, cooking lessons, and stargazing.
• In the Middle East, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantarain Abu Dhabi stands out for multigenerational groups seeking heritage-inspired travel. Surrounded by the world's largest sand desert, the Rub' al Khali, the resort offers family-sized villas, traditional camel treks, falconry shows, and desert archery for guests of all ages, while kids' clubs and luxury spa treatments ensure everyone finds their own rhythm of relaxation.
• Families can frolic all day at Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun, an all-inclusive beachfront property from Blue Diamond Resorts, with more than 1,000 suites, nearly two-dozen dining and drinking outlets, a two-story Royalton FITsports and fitness facility, and one of the largest onsite water parks in the Caribbean featuring 14 monster water slides. Beyond its inherent appeal for multi-generational getaways, with 25,000 sq. ft. of event space, it's a prime setting for destination weddings, social groups, and large meetings, too.
• Rixos Sungateon the Gulf of Antalya in Kemer, Türkiye, is the perfect combination of relaxation and thrills. Little ones will be entertained all day at the Rixy Kids Club, with workshops from coding and cooking to woodwork and ceramics, while the rest of the family can relax on the beach before enjoying free access to The Land of Legends, which has just welcomed the new Nickelodeon Land. Have fun with SpongeBob in Bikini Bottom, and PAW Patrol: Adventure Bay, and journey deep into the galaxy with Star Trek: Wild Galaxy.

Going it Alone

Once niche, now mainstream, going solo is among these modern travel trends. Last fall, Booking.comdeclared "solo trips are having a moment," with 58 percent of people surveyed across dozens of countries planning to travel alone during the year. Meanwhile, at the recent International Women in Travel & Tourism Forum, Julia Simpson, President & CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council, noted a revelation from Virtuoso that the most-valuable traveler in luxury right now is "a 65-year-old woman traveling solo."

Solo traveler-friendly destinations are all over the map: Austin, Texas, for its music scene and "friendly people everywhere"; Portugal, for its recent Genuine Progress Indicator ranking as seventh-safest country in the world and being "a bargain" compared to most countries across Western Europe; Abu Dhabi for its safety and being "one of the best travel destinations for solo female travelers"; Albania, for "extremely hospitable locals and gorgeous scenery"; and Kyoto, Japan, for tranquil shrines, gardens, and temples.

Solo travelers are going to socialize at some point. Indeed, according to the New York Times, "traveling alone is now a group activity," with outfits such as Exoticca, Indagare Journeys, G Adventures, and others curating group tours for solo travelers. Among those with plenty of options is Flash Pack, a London-based tour operator whose summer offerings for like-minded, largely solo travelers include Belize: Jungles, Mayans & Manatees, The Best of Morocco, Classical Türkiye, and the popular Alternative Thailandwith everything from jet skiing off the coast of Phuket to making a traditional Buddhist offering at a small local temple.

Another wonderful option is a&o Hostels, Europe's largest hostel brand, which has seen such a large influx in solo travelers - particularly solo female travelers - it has increased its female dorms and amenities. Located in the heart of Europe's most desirable cities, such as Venice and Florence, it's a professional and affordable option for travelers traveling solo.

Creative Pilgrimages

We might actually make it to see you this time, Oasis. Or Coldplay, still filling Wembley Stadium in late summer. Or The Grand Ole Opry'scelebration of its 100th anniversary with its first-ever international live show at Royal Albert Hall in London. And Lady Gaga, here's hoping your MAYHEM Ball Tour lives up to its name.

While gig tripping remains hot, sometimes travelers just want to flip their well-worn Emily Brontë in peace. As noted recently by Travel Weekly, literary tourism is growing in popularity, "galvanized by the resurgence of book clubs, literary festivals and bookish celebrations coupled with the continued desire for post-pandemic connection." Elise Carlin of FINN Travel New York concurs: "I think we're seeing people turning back to books as a way to get off their phones, away from crowds, and immerse themselves in new genres and find new community."

Among literary tourism outfits cited by Essenceis Booked Trips, whose book-inspired travel is designed by founder Jalsa Whitley to connect "curious and community-minded women through storytelling." Interested travelers can bide their time through summer with a good beach read while awaiting Booked Trip tours this fall to Accra, Ghana, inspired by Homegoingby Yaa Gyasi; Marrakech, Fez and the Sahara Desert Morocco, with Dreams of Trespassby Fatima Mernissi; and Cartagena, Colombia, with Love in the Time of Choleraby Gabriel Garcia Márquez.

The approach of The Book Club Touris a bit broader, with destinations explored through "favorite books," as opposed to spotlighting a single tome. Launched in 2019 by Vanessa Hunt, who became enamored of Brit Lit as a child while touring manors, gardens, and abbeys with her grandmother, who was working on her PhD in British Literature, the company offers tailor-made custom tours heavy on local culture, as well as literary adventures such as The British Book Club Tour, which will take readers to the homes of authors such as William Shakespeare, Beatrix Potter, Jane Austen, and the Brontë sisters in July.

On the other side of the page, Iceland Writers Retreat, a non-profit organization spearheaded by Iceland's former First Lady, Eliza Reid, is designed to give aspiring writers of all backgrounds and skill levels a unique opportunity to explore Iceland's rich storytelling traditions through hands-on workshops and local community engagement. Visitors will participate in intimate, small-group sessions led by acclaimed authors from around the globe, as well as exclusive panels featuring celebrated Icelandic writers. Visitors also experience Iceland's breathtaking landscapes through literary tours that draw inspiration from the country's dramatic natural beauty. Highlights include a literary walking tour of Reykjavík - designated a UNESCO City of Literature - that traces the footsteps of legendary Icelandic authors and reveals the city's vibrant creative culture.Whether via literary tour or summer page-turner at the beach, embracing the joys of reading through travel is timely - especially in the U.S., where PEN America has documented nearly 16,000 book bans in public schools nationwide since 2021. Last fall, Maverick Creative worked with Morrison House in Alexandria, Virginia, to create a Banned Book Speakeasy to build goodwill in the community. Inspired by the luxury boutique hotel's literary-themed bar, The Study, the Speakeasy celebrated the power of literacy while driving monetary donations to the Virginia Library Association with a themed cocktail list, "librarian" guide, and discrete "through the bookshelf" ordering system. The hotel's food-and-beverage profits quadrupled each night of the weeklong activation, proof that PR can be mightier than the sword andthe pen.

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