Every year, travel changes, and 2025 is shaping up to be a big one. From emerging hotspots to how we choose to explore, here are the trends I’m seeing (and booking!) as a travel expert in Australia.

1. Small Group Journeys Are In

Big bus tours are fading, while intimate, curated experiences are on the rise. Travellers want fewer crowds, more personalisation, and meaningful connections. Think small groups led by local guides, unique stays, and slow-paced discovery.

2. Sustainability Matters

Today’s travellers care where their money goes. Eco-lodges, low-impact tours, and ethical animal experiences are in high demand, and I love helping clients book trips that are kind to the planet and unforgettable.

3. “Slowcations” Over Checklists

No more hopping across five cities in seven days. Instead, travellers are choosing longer stays in fewer places, like two weeks in one country, soaking up culture instead of rushing. It’s less stressful, more immersive, and surprisingly more affordable.

4. Hidden Gems Over Hotspots

Destinations like Albania, Oman, or Tasmania are having a moment. Why? They’re less crowded, more authentic, and offer that sense of “discovery” travellers crave. I’m seeing a big shift in people asking for “somewhere different” – and I’m here for it.

5. Personalised Travel Is the New Luxury

It’s not about 5-star hotels anymore – it’s about experiences tailored just for you. That could be a private cooking class in Florence, a hike with a Maori guide in New Zealand, or staying at a vineyard in Provence.

Custom travel is no longer reserved for the ultra-rich – it just takes the right travel expert