British Airways reveals travel trends for 2025 « Euro Weekly News
Beach resort in Tenerife. Credit: Pexels, Alex P.
British Airways (BA) has released its 2025 Travel Trends Report, offering key insights into how social media, hobby-based travel, and nostalgia are shaping tourism this year.
The report, based on customer research and search data, highlights the growing demand for structured, stress-free travel and a return to traditional all-inclusive holidays.
European travel trends for 2025
The report primarily focuses on UK travellers, but its findings also reflect broader trends potentially impacting European expats. With more British, Irish, and European travellers seeking nostalgic, activity-driven, and social-media-inspired holidays, these shifts may influence the European tourism industry.
The Mediterranean hotspot of Malta is noted as one of the top destinations for 2025. The Canary Islands – particularly Tenerife – remain a favourite for UK and EU-based travellers, reinforcing their status as a key destination for expats looking for warm-weather getaways.
71 per cent of UK travellers are coordinating their holidays with family or friends, EU expats may see more group travel trends, particularly in countries with strong British and European expat communities like Spain, Portugal, and France.
Social media influencing tourism
One of the most significant shifts in travel behaviour is the impact of social media on food tourism. According to the report, 41 per cent of UK travellers said they had been influenced by social media to try a particular dish or restaurant abroad. Travellers aged 55+ have also been inspired by social media, with one in five saying they have tried new dishes this way.
Taste hunting travel trend
The food-driven travel trend, termed “Taste Hunting”, suggests a shift away from traditional fine dining. Expats living in Spain, Italy, or France – where food culture is already a major draw – may notice an uptick in food tourism, with visitors prioritising trending street foods, local markets, and viral dishes over Michelin-star restaurants.
Trivial pursuits
More travellers are looking to incorporate personal interests into their holidays. The report found that 71 per cent of 18-24-year-olds and 68 per cent of 25-34-year-olds prefer holidays that allow them to pursue hobbies or learn new skills. Only 31 per cent of those aged 55+ felt the same.
From pottery classes in Portugal to beekeeping in Spain, expats in the EU who run businesses in tourism or hospitality may see increased demand for skill-based holiday packages.
All-inclusive holidays are making a comeback
Despite the surge in experience-driven travel, many younger tourists are also embracing all-inclusive holiday packages. The report found that 42 per cent of UK travellers prefer all-inclusive trips where they can simply “eat, drink, and lie in the sun.” I don’t blame them!
32 per cent prefer resorts with pre-planned activities, eliminating the stress of organising an itinerary.
British Airways’ top-searched holiday package destinations in January 2025:
- New York
- Dubai
- Barbados
- Cancun
- Tenerife
- Orlando
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- St Lucia
- Malta
Gibraltar has seen a 17 per cent rise in interest in regards to holiday package searches. As a British territory, this may appeal to British expats in Spain looking for a close-to-home getaway.
Andrew Flintham, Managing Director of BA, noted: “Our third annual report provides some impressive insight on how UK consumers are looking to travel. Not only are they looking for new ways to optimise their time away, but there is a clear trend in travellers embracing traditional holiday elements with the likes of all-inclusive. With 43 per cent of UK adults who go on holiday agreeing that the idea of organising all the components of a holiday made them feel stressed, it is clear that there is a strong demand, now more than ever, for our holiday packages. At British Airways Holidays, it’s at our core to provide our customers with everything they need to make their time away unforgettable and to alleviate the stress of planning, so they can kick back and take their holidays seriously.”
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