Expert predicts top 10 trending destinations for U.S. travelers in 2025 will be places for relaxation, rejuvenation, and unique experiences.

Expert predicts top 10 trending destinations for U.S. travelers in 2025 will be places for relaxation, rejuvenation, and unique experiences.
Expert predicts top 10 trending destinations for U.S. travelers in 2025 will be places for relaxation, rejuvenation, and unique experiences.

Skyscanner released its Travel Trend report, which analyzed the destinations with the highest growth in searches over the past year to identify where travelers are most likely to go in the upcoming year.

In collaboration with OnePoll, an international market research company, Skyscanner analyzed flight searches from the U.S. from January 1 to June 30, 2024, to identify trending destinations for American travelers. The survey involved 2,000 Americans.

According to Laura Lindsay, a global travel trends expert at Skyscanner, 2025 will be the year of shared travel experiences.

Vacationers are increasingly seeking out shared experiences to enjoy on their travels. Americans are looking to rest, recharge and discover new ways to connect with one another through their travels.

"The upcoming trends are fostering a sense of community and belonging among travelers, as individuals seek to connect with others and feel a sense of belonging to something larger than themselves."

In 2025, Grand Turk Island in Turks and Caicos will be the most popular travel destination for Americans.

The number of searches for Grand Turk Island increased by 528% between January and June.

The "Instagram effect" could explain the increased interest in Turks and Caicos among travelers, as 41% of them use social media for inspiration.

"The islands of Turks and Caicos are revitalizing their tourism marketing through the campaign 'Experience Turks and Caicos,' which aims to provide more authentic tourist experiences for each island," she explains.

Cockburn Town, the capital of the Turks and Caicos Islands, is located on Grand Turk, the second most populated island in the country. This island is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, between the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.

Scuba diving and offshore snorkeling are popular activities on Grand Turk, an island known for its famous beaches such as Cockburn Town Beach, Governor's Beach, and Cruise Center Beach, which is also known as SunRay Beach and is often used as a front for cruise ships.

According to the Turks and Caicos website, all beaches are free to access.

Top 10 trending destinations for U.S. travelers 2025

  1. Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos
  2. Quepos, Costa Rica
  3. Tromsø, Norway
  4. Tucumán Province, Argentina
  5. Krabi, Thailand
  6. Luang Prabang, Laos
  7. Antwerp, Belgium
  8. Suva, Fiji
  9. Rotterdam, Netherlands
  10. Pago Pago, American Samoa

In 2025, Quepos, Costa Rica was the second most popular trending destination, with a 462% increase in searches from January to June, as reported by Skyscanner.

Lindsay states that flying to Costa Rica can be more affordable than other international destinations, and Americans are searching for ways to save while still experiencing the travel adventures they desire.

San Jose is three hours away from Quepos, a city famous for its sport fishing and diverse marine life, including marlin, snapper, dolphinfish, yellowfin tuna and more.

During the months of July to November, the region is an excellent spot to observe humpback whales and dolphins, as stated on Costa Rica's website.

Manuel Antonio National Park, although the smallest in Costa Rica, is one of the most popular and is located near Quepos.

The park features a variety of ecosystems, including coral reefs, rainforest, and beaches. The forest is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including squirrel monkeys, iguanas, sloths, and more.

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by Celia Fernandez

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