Everyone Ditched Grandma’s Turkey: Holiday Travel Is Getting Weird

People are breaking up with tradition this year. Forget cramming into your aunt’s dining room for lukewarm turkey and political arguments. Travelers are choosing villas, retreats, and solo escapes instead. The holidays are no longer about “going home.” They are about getting away.

The Five Trends Changing Holiday Travel

1. Detour Destinations Are the New Main Character

The big-name tourist traps? Skipped. Travelers are sliding into the towns next to the famous places. Reims instead of Paris. Small-town Colorado instead of Aspen. Standing in a three-hour line for one Instagram shot? Not this year.

Tip for DMOs: Showcase your hidden gems. Use local micro-influencers, highlight “less obvious” neighborhoods, and promote experiences within 30–45 minutes of the main draw. Make travelers feel like insiders, not tourists.

Tip for STRs: Build “detour” packages: local guidebooks, partnerships with off-the-radar restaurants, and maybe even a complimentary day pass to the smaller local ski hill instead of the overcrowded one.

2. Wellness and Longevity Trips

Some travelers are booking vacations to “extend their life.” That is adorable, considering what airport Cinnabon does to arteries. Cryotherapy chambers, hot springs, sleep retreats. Wellness is the new party, and people are freezing their butts off in a steel tube for the vibe.

Tip for DMOs: Create wellness maps and “longevity itineraries.” Think hot springs circuits, spa packages, sleep retreats, or even outdoor meditation spaces. Design a wellness-specific holiday experience.

Tip for STRs: Add wellness touches inside the property: yoga mats, sleep masks, a small guided meditation playlist, or deals with local spas. Promote these in your holiday listings now while demand is surging.

3. Solo Holidays Are Officially a Thing

Thanksgiving with family drama? Hard pass. Bookings for solo travel are up 69 percent. Bali villas, cozy cabins, beach bungalows...alone. People want quiet, self-care, and zero political debates over mashed potatoes. (If you see me alone in Cabo sipping a margarita, no you didn't, and mind your business.)

Tip for DMOs: Build solo-friendly itineraries. Focus on walkability, safe transit, and activities that feel natural for a party of one. Think art walks, food tours, and nature escapes.

Tip for STRs: Update photos and copy so solo travelers feel welcome. Show one-person setups for dining or lounging. Offer extras like grocery delivery, fast Wi-Fi, or local meal kits.

4. Season Stretching

The old “travel only on Christmas week” thing is over. January is suddenly sexy. Quiet slopes, affordable flights, and actual room to breathe. If you still think holiday travel is a one-week frenzy, you have not seen what is coming.

Tip for DMOs: Launch “off-peak perks” campaigns. Highlight January events, winter festivals, and special discounts for travelers who come after December 31. Position it as a wellness reset or “new year, new you” destination.

Tip for STRs: Incentivize longer stays by offering a night free for weekly bookings or including a holiday detox kit: think local coffee, spa vouchers, and streaming credits for a cozy stay-in day.

5. AI Travel Agents Are Actually Working

The good kind, not the scammy ones. They plan entire trips, suggest outfits, and upgrade your seat without judgment. People are trusting bots because bots do not care that you are booking a three-day Ice Hotel stay with your ex’s Hulu password still logged in.

Tip for DMOs: Optimize your destination data. AI-powered platforms thrive on structured, high-quality content. Update your event calendars, lodging data, and attractions info so AI assistants pick your destination first.

Tip for STRs: Make your listings AI-friendly: clear descriptions, amenity tags, and even sample itineraries. AI bots love properties that feel plug-and-play for their users.

The Bottom Line

Holiday travel in 2025 is about flexing on chaos. No one wants to simply survive the holidays anymore. They want a different kind of story. Whether it’s a solo Thanksgiving, a wellness retreat that promises to add ten years to your life, or a January ski trip with zero crowds, travelers are rewriting the holiday rulebook.

Destinations and suppliers who keep pushing “traditional” holiday packages risk being ignored. The ones who embrace detours, wellness, solo travel, and AI will win this season—and beyond.

Your turn: what is the weirdest holiday travel request you have seen this year? (Asking for a friend Googling “quiet Airbnb with no kids, one golden retriever, and a sound bath room.”)

xo, 🖤Jenn