Exploration and personalised experiences continue to be a priority for travellers from Australia and New Zealand, with a growing trend towards maximising value without compromising quality, according to global luxury travel network Virtuoso.
The key luxury travel trends shaping the year ahead in ANZ were revealed in the network’s annual Virtuoso Luxe Report: Australia & New Zealand.
“While luxury travellers are willing to spend more, they are also mindful of rising costs and want to ensure their investment enhances their travels, making their relationship with a trusted travel advisor all the more important,” it said.
Meanwhile, nearly half of Virtuoso advisors surveyed anticipate a slight rise in travel demand next year, with 11% expecting a significant increase. Furthermore, 47% predicted a modest uptick in spending per trip, while 33% believe pricing will remain steady.
Antarctica was named the top destination on the rise and the leading adventure spot for 2025 while adventure cruising was the leading travel trend for the second year in a row.
Long-term favourites Italy, Greece and France continued to dominate as top international destinations, with Rome overtaking Paris as the preferred city and Tokyo slipping into second place. Japan also grew in popularity as a family destination while there was also a spike in interest in lesser known places like Istria for those seeking to get off the beaten track.
Below are the five key trends identified by the report for 2025:
1. Ice-elated Escapes: “The “coolcation” trend shows no signs of slowing down, as more travellers request cold-weather destinations to escape the rising temperatures and avoid crowds.”
2. Sailing Solo: “Travellers seeking freedom and flexibility have no hesitation going it alone, and cruising is proving to be a key trend amongst the solo set, with expedition, ocean and river cruises ranking among the top travel experiences for the coming year.”
3. Born to be Mild: “Adventure and wellness continue to be significant motivators, but in 2025, upscale travellers will pursue a harmonious balance of exhilaration and relaxation.”
4. You Tell Me Travel: “Rather than sticking to well-worn bucket lists, travellers are finding new inspiration in documentaries, books, beloved films and recommendations from friends and family.”
5. Palate and Place: “Culinary experiences have become a crucial element of luxury travel, and globetrotters are prioritising gastronomic discoveries that showcase the authentic local flavours and unique traditions of the places they visit.”
