#TravelTrends

Expedia’s 2025 Island Hot List has thrust a diverse array of global destinations into the spotlight, with Thailand’s Koh Samui earning distinguished praise as the island “best for affordable luxury,” reflecting the ongoing evolution of traveler priorities worldwide and signaling significant tourism prospects for the Thai archipelago. The Hot List—a data-powered compendium based on verified traveler insights—serves as both a trend barometer and a practical guide for millions of globetrotters seeking idyllic escapes in the year ahead. For Thai readers, Koh Samui’s inclusion offers both national pride and an urgent call to prepare for new waves of international visitors.

A recent spotlight from international travel media has cast fresh light on the appeal of multi-country Asian cruises, reflecting a growing trend among Thai travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation on the high seas. The profile of a 14-day Asian cruise with “unforgettable views” highlights both the luxurious comforts and the cultural immersion that these modern voyages now offer, signaling a shift in travel patterns post-pandemic as Thais and other Asian tourists increasingly explore their own region by sea.

Thailand’s tourism industry, long reliant on a steady influx of Chinese travellers, is now undergoing a major strategic shift as arrivals from China continue to disappoint, prompting the kingdom to intensify efforts to attract visitors from Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Recent statements from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reveal that the agency has lowered its 2025 forecast for foreign arrivals to 35 million—a significant drop from the previous target of 40 million—due primarily to the underwhelming recovery of the Chinese market. This new reality is reshaping both marketing and investment priorities for Thailand’s second-largest economic sector, with implications for businesses, workers, and communities nationwide (South China Morning Post; Bloomberg).

A recent travel story on a 14-day Asian cruise from Singapore to Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Vietnam is putting multi-destination voyages back in the spotlight, offering Thai tourism stakeholders valuable lessons for attracting regional travelers and boosting cross-border tourism. Shared through the account of international travelers on the Mercury News, the journey highlights iconic cultural and natural heritage sites—particularly Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay—and reveals logistics, safety tips, and economic opportunities for Southeast Asian nations, including Thailand.

Abandoned and forgotten places across the globe are experiencing an unlikely revival — as must-see tourist attractions, according to a recent overview by CNBC. Once neglected due to war, natural disasters, industry collapse, or the inexorable passage of time, these evocative spaces are drawing travelers in ever-growing numbers, offering both a thrill and a powerful lesson in history and resilience. The transformation of derelict ruins, shipwrecks, ghost towns, and relics of war into popular travel destinations signals a broader shift in tourism, where fascination with the uncanny and a hunger for unique experiences collide with heritage preservation and community revitalization efforts.

A recent analysis of the world’s largest tourism economies underscores the immense financial impact of travel on nations’ prosperity, with the United States and China leading the global hierarchy in 2024. Data published by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and visualized by Visual Capitalist shows that the U.S. tourism sector generated a staggering US$2.36 trillion this year, while China followed as a rapidly growing market at $1.3 trillion Visual Capitalist.

Las Vegas, once celebrated as the playground for everyday Americans and international thrill-seekers, is experiencing a significant downturn in visitor numbers due to what many are calling “ridiculous prices” and hidden fees. New data for 2025 reveal a 6.5% drop in tourists compared to the previous year, with airport traffic and gaming revenue both sliding—trends experts blame on a combination of economic uncertainty and escalating costs of a Vegas holiday (The Times).

Asia has claimed more than half of this summer’s most popular emerging travel destinations, according to fresh research from the Mastercard Economics Institute, marking a powerful resurgence for the region’s tourism sector and signaling several shifts in global travel preferences. With Tokyo and Osaka leading the global growth charts and several other Asian cities—such as Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, and Singapore—joining the ranks, the findings highlight evolving traveler motivations and economic influences shaping how and where people explore the world in 2025 (CNBC).

As the international travel industry mounts a determined comeback after pandemic-era setbacks, new skepticism is emerging among would-be tourists, fueled by controversial ad campaigns and rising concerns over safety, reputation, and human rights in key destinations. A recent opinion column published in The Boston Globe on July 3, 2025, highlights a growing wave of “wayward tourism promotions” and the complex, often contradictory realities facing travelers in 2025, raising questions especially relevant for Thai travelers considering outbound journeys (Boston Globe).

Tourism destinations worldwide are facing the complex challenge of balancing image, safety, and reputation in an era where travelers are increasingly selective about where—and how—they holiday. A recent op-ed in The Boston Globe encapsulates the growing skepticism toward tourism promotions for destinations with troubled records, as well as the shifting perspectives of international visitors in 2025. With global travel rebounding unevenly after the pandemic and amid renewed geopolitical tensions, destinations ranging from Los Angeles to Saudi Arabia find themselves battling not just wildfires, state advisories, and human rights controversies, but also the formidable power of online reputation and tourism marketing fatigue.

A growing global trend points to travelers longing to unplug from relentless digital interruptions, political turmoil, and everyday drama. According to a recent Booking.com survey, more than half of global travelers—56 percent—are now seeking “off the beaten path” getaways, opting for seclusion and tranquility over crowds and connectivity, as recently reported by The New York Times (nytimes.com). From wood-fired hot tubs on the glacial shores of Lake Superior to starlit beds on remote Swedish islands, new research and industry reports reveal how a desire for peace, personal reconnection, and even a touch of adventure are driving the boom in “off-the-grid” resorts worldwide.

Hawaii, often synonymous with idyllic beaches and dream holidays, is in the grip of an unexpectedly soft summer, with tourism numbers and travel bookings “significantly down”—a development causing deep concern among hospitality leaders, economists, and travel experts both in the US and worldwide. The trend, detailed in a recent report by SFGate, is not just a temporary dip but suggests ongoing challenges that hold insights for other international tourist destinations—Thailand included—still striving to recover and adapt after years of pandemic and disaster disruptions (SFGate).

For many travelers, the iconic African safari conjures images of thundering wildebeest, golden savannas, and up-close encounters with elephants and lions. Over the years, the high season—those dry, chilly months from June through October—has become synonymous with classic safari experiences. However, recent insights from a leading travel advisor specializing in African adventures suggest that the best time for an unforgettable safari might be during the lesser-known “secret seasons,” offering both spectacular sights and significant cost savings (Travel + Leisure).

A recent feature by the Times of India has spotlighted the top seven most beautiful beaches across Asia, reigniting interest among Thai and international travelers for coastal destinations beyond the familiar. The article presents a diverse list, including Thailand’s renowned Maya Bay, alongside wonders from Myanmar, South Korea, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia. This overview comes as travel patterns shift post-pandemic, with Thais showing increased curiosity towards both domestic gems and nearby international shores, propelled by greater air connectivity and relaxed border measures (Times of India).

Hawaii’s tourism sector — long considered a bellwether for global island destinations — is experiencing a significant downturn this summer, sparking worry among industry experts, policymakers, and local businesses. A new report by SFGate highlights that June’s daily visitor counts are down sharply compared to 2024, with similar trends expected for July and August, shattering hopes for a robust seasonal recovery (SFGate). The story holds vital lessons for the Thai tourism industry, which faces its own post-pandemic uncertainties.

Amid growing concerns among international holidaymakers about recent political and social developments in the United States, European destinations are enjoying a surge in popularity as travelers look for alternatives to classic American holidays. The latest travel research and expert commentary, as seen in The Guardian’s recent feature “Surfin’ USA? Not this year: 10 European alternatives to classic American holiday destinations”, highlights a marked trend: iconic US experiences, from California surfing to New England cabins, are being swapped for experiences with a distinctly European flavour.

A recent study unveils that Aspen, Colorado—renowned for its ski slopes and luxury lifestyle—has overtaken iconic metropolises like New York City as the most expensive tourist destination in the United States, spotlighting shifting trends in travel costs and expectations for both Thai and global tourists. According to a comprehensive cost analysis by GOBankingRates and highlighted by Travel + Leisure, a three-night trip for two adults to Aspen will cost an average of $2,708, factoring in hotels, flights, and meals, representing the pinnacle of pricey travel in 2025. (Travel + Leisure)

A recent international ranking has named the Philippines—the region’s acclaimed beach destination—as the world’s most dangerous country for travelers, according to a global survey published by HelloSafe, a British financial website. The news has stirred concern and discussion across Southeast Asia, especially as the Philippines has long outshone its neighbors to claim prestigious titles such as “Asia’s Leading Beach Destination” in the World Travel Awards. Thailand, in contrast, was notably absent from the upper tier of the risk list, bringing mixed relief and reflection to Thai tourism policymakers and travelers alike MSN report.

A growing number of globetrotters are bypassing hotels and short-term rentals in favor of a new travel trend: house-sitting tourism. This emerging phenomenon allows travelers to secure free accommodations by caring for someone else’s home—and often their pets—while the owners are away, creating win-win scenarios for both sides and reshaping how people experience destinations worldwide (USA Today, BBC, Business Insider).

The evolution of house-sitting tourism has been fueled by rising global travel costs and the proliferation of digital platforms connecting homeowners with would-be house sitters. With platforms like TrustedHousesitters reporting a 14% increase in membership between 2023 and 2024, now exceeding 240,000 global users, the model has shifted from a niche option for pet lovers or retirees to a mainstream choice embraced by solo travelers, remote workers, millennials, and baby boomers alike (USA Today).

As protests against mass tourism flare up once again across Europe’s most visited destinations, the continent is experimenting with ambitious new strategies to strike a balance between tourism and residents’ quality of life. Policymakers, tourism boards, and local communities from Switzerland to Spain and Germany are rolling out innovative programs to fight overcrowding, preserve natural and cultural heritage, and rethink the very nature of travel in a post-pandemic age. The struggle underway in Europe offers vital lessons for Thailand, which faces its own battles with overtourism in places like Phuket, Chiang Mai, and the islands of the Andaman and the Gulf.

In a development reshaping the Southeast Asian tourism landscape, Malaysia has claimed the top spot as the region’s premier tourism destination, surpassing Thailand for the first time in years, according to official 2024 statistics published yesterday by multiple tourism boards (e.vnexpress.net). Malaysia welcomed an impressive 9.57 million international arrivals so far this year, edging out Thailand at 9.55 million. The new figures highlight shifting regional dynamics and bring pressing questions for Thai tourism’s future.

As the world prepares for another bustling summer travel season, a new report from the Mastercard Economics Institute reveals a striking trend: more than half of the top 15 fastest-growing travel destinations are in Asia, with Japanese cities leading the global surge in interest (CNBC). For Thai travelers, as well as the country’s tourism industry, these findings highlight changing dynamics that will influence how—and where—Thais travel, as well as the potential for attracting more regional visitors to Thailand itself.