In 2025, Vrbo predicts that the biggest travel trend will involve a return to nature. Travellers are seeking out natural wonders and phenomena such as starling murmurations, Northern Lights, and bioluminescent plankton. Expedia Group’s trend report, Unpack ’25, highlights this trend and provides insights into what to expect in the coming year. The report draws on global research and data from Expedia’s own bookings, as well as accommodation sites such as Hotels.com and Vrbo. One of the predictions for 2025 is the Phenomena List, which suggests that travellers will go to great lengths to witness these awe-inspiring natural marvels.
The enduringly popular Northern Lights continue to captivate travellers, with 61% expressing a desire to experience this phenomenon. While traditionally associated with Arctic regions such as Finland’s Lapland and Norway’s Tromsø, the Northern Lights are becoming more visible further south due to a particularly intense phase of solar activity. In 2025, countries like the UK, Germany, and Italy are expected to witness stronger displays of the aurora borealis. In addition to the Northern Lights, travellers can also explore International Dark Sky Parks, such as Arches National Park in Utah or Europe’s largest dark sky park in Northumberland, for a chance to marvel at the stars.
For those interested in birdwatching, various destinations offer incredible displays of avian activity. In Hokkaido, Japan, visitors can witness the annual mating dance of red-crowned cranes at the Tsurui Crane Sanctuary. In Australia, the world’s largest colony of little penguins parades from the ocean to their burrows on Phillip Island, providing a charming spectacle at sunset. Closer to home, Denmark’s Wadden Sea National Park hosts the mesmerizing ‘Black Sun’ starlings’ migration in spring and autumn, creating a wave-like effect in the sky. Additionally, travellers can observe synchronous fireflies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, creating a magical fairy-lit night sky display.
In Vero Beach, Florida, and various other locations such as Thailand, Jamaica, and the Maldives, travellers can witness the mesmerizing spectacle of bioluminescent plankton lighting up the ocean waters. This natural phenomenon, popularized by Leonardo DiCaprio’s film ‘The Beach’, is a bucket list favorite for many. The Bay of Fundy in Canada offers a different seaside experience, with the highest tides in the world allowing visitors to walk on the ocean floor and explore cliffs that house the world’s most complete fossil record of life from 300 million years ago. These unique natural attractions provide travellers with opportunities to connect with the environment and experience the beauty of the natural world in new and exciting ways.
As travellers seek out these natural wonders in 2025, the trend of experiencing awe-inspiring phenomena and connecting with the environment is set to dominate the travel industry. From the mystical Northern Lights to the whimsical displays of bird migrations and bioluminescent plankton, there is a wealth of natural marvels waiting to be explored. By venturing to remote locations and protected areas, travellers can witness the magic of the natural world and create lasting memories of their encounters with these otherworldly phenomena. Whether observing starling murmurations in the UK or walking on the ocean floor in Canada, the possibilities for immersive and unforgettable travel experiences in 2025 are boundless.
