The travel industry is ever-changing, with new holiday trends coming in and going out almost annually. 

It can often be hard to keep track of travel trends but fortunately, the industry is a creative one, and often comes up with fun terms that assist Travel Agents in knowing what’s in and what’s not for their clients. 

To further help agents keep track, Rihlat Travel News has gathered some of buzz terms that making their way around the industry at the moment – let us know if we’ve missed any: 

1. Staycation 

• My husband booked us a staycation for my birthday this year

Starting off easy. A staycation is simply to take a holiday or short break within one’s own home town or state. 

2. Workation (also referred to as Bleisure and Flexiscape) 

• I’ve just returned from a workcation. I spent a few days in Dubai after my meetings 

A workcation is to add a mini holiday either before or after a work trip. The workcation can take place in the city that business took place or en-route.  

3. Radical sabbatical

• He took six months off work for a radical sabbatical 

Somewhat the opposite of a workcation, a radical sabbatical is used to describe the action of taking an extended period of paid or unpaid leave. A portion of radical sabbaticals often include a holiday, while the rest can include activities that involve self-growth such as taking a course or learning a new hobby. 

4. Coolcation 

• I hate the heat and the cold, my colocations are my annual escapes

A colocation is used to describe people attempting to avoid the impacts of climate change. They visit destinations with moderate temperatures to avoid both overheating and extreme winters. 

5. Sunseekers 

• My husband and I are sunseekers, we haven’t experienced a winter in years

On the other end of the spectrum, sunseekers will actively seek out warmer destinations for their holidays. Extreme sunseekers will travel year-round to avoid the winter season all together – this type of travel is usually reserved for those with generous holiday time and spend. 

6. Calmcation 

• Work has been so stressful, I really needed a calmcation 

A calmcation is used to describe those taking a holiday that requires minimal effort. These trips are usually affordable but longer than a normal holiday. They are near home and typically in a nature-based environment where the holiday-er can simply unwind and relax. Comfort is key for these travellers. They don’t want to think or do much, just chill.  

7. Nostalgication

• It was a nostalgication for me, taking my kids to the same resort my parent’s use to take me to every summer 

One of the biggest travel trends for 2025 is nostalgication, whereby adults are choosing to holiday in a way that re-captures their gap years, honeymoons, old family vacations and childhood dreams. They want to immerse themselves in activities and destinations that remind them of a time-long-gone.

8. Storification

• Storification worked! She booked the holiday after I told her how much I loved it 

Storification is using firsthand experience and/or personal storytelling to create a connection with a traveller, and sell a destination or holiday. It’s a common method used amongst Travel Agents to connect with and sell to their clients. 

9. Tour tourism 

• I’m a solo traveller so I feel safer with tour tourism 

Tour tourism is one of the most common form of travel and involves travellers experiencing a destination in a tour group. These types of trips are convenient for those who desire minimal planning effort, as most of the holiday is organised by a tour operator, and they can often be affordable. 

10. Dark tourism 

• Through dark tourism, he’s learned some of the sadder parts of world history  

With a name like ‘dark tourism’, you’d expect this form of travel to be both grim and perhaps, unorthodox. But actually, dark tourism is undertaken by those with an interest in history and destinations that have experienced historical trauma often through war or natural disasters. 

Examples of dark tourism include visiting colonial prisons where prisoners were severely mistreated, exploring European castles with cruel histories and walking through battlefields.   

11. Spontanitrip 

• It was so nice travelling without a plan or knowing what’s coming next, I highly recommend spontanitrip 

A spontanitrip is usually taken amongst younger holidaymakers who have more time to explore a destination without pre-planning much of the trip. These types of holidaymakers aren’t stressed about itineraries and will often arrive at their destination with only one night’s hotel booked and very few activities and experiences planned. They want to see where the wind takes them.

12. Noctourism 

• We felt like vampires, only coming out at night on our noctourism holiday 

Noctourism combines the words ‘nocturnal’ and ‘tourism’ to describe a type of holiday that is centered around experiences that take place after dark. Activities often include watching the Northern Lights, observing star and solar patterns, visiting late-night museums and searching for bioluminescent water. 

13. Mystery Travel 

• We had no idea where we were going, it was mystery travel through-and-through

Mystery Travel is much like it sounds, whereby travellers board a plane with little-to-no idea of where they are going and what they will see/do. They simply sign up, pay the fee and find out last minute where they’re heading. This type of travel gives people a sense of surprise and is growing in popularity as travellers become increasingly undecisive in their holiday desires.

14. Me-Moon 

• Who needs a honeymoon? I choose a me-moon any day

Me-mooning is a modern term for solo travel – those going on holidays alone. Most me-mooners attempt to take at least one holiday a year and would prefer to make new friends on the road than bring existing companions from home. 

15. Mini/Micro-moon 

• We took a micro-moon after the wedding and are planning a full honeymoon for later this year 

A micro-moon is a short honeymoon that often takes place near the couple’s home town or state with the intention of taking a full honeymoon at a later date. This type of holiday is usually booked by newly weds who don’t have time or the funds after the wedding for the full honeymoon or would prefer to save their big lovers getaway for a different time of the year. 

16. Set-jetting  

• Dubai Bling is my favourite TV show and I literally travelled around Dubai just to visit all the spots featured in the show 

Set-jetting is the type of travel where travellers will visit a destination simply to visit the set of their favourite TV show and/or movies. Cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are becoming increasingly popular for this type of tourism thanks to their investment in attracting Hollywood movies and investing in trending reality shows such as Netflix’s Dubai Bling. 

17. Go-ccasion

• The cat gained a kilogram, let’s take a go-ccasion!  

A go-ccasion is used by people who will find any excuse to take a holiday, even if it’s to celebrate a pet’s birthday! This trend was particularly popular in 2024, with Expedia finding that one in four people used any reason to justify a celebratory group vacation.  

18. Destination dupe

• I couldn’t afford a luxury Nile cruise this year, so I went on a destination dupe

You’ve heard of designer handbag dupes and high-end clothing dupes, now there’s destination dupes. This is a type of travel whereby holidaymakers are avoiding popular destinations in favour of more affordable locations with fewer crowds. 

19. JOMO 

• I didn’t have FOMO, I had JOMO. I just needed to slow down 

If you’ve wondered what the opposite of FOMO would be, it’s JOMO. It’s a type of travel where travellers are encouraged to disengage and simply enjoy the moment.  

20. Ex-cursion 

• I was so over being sad about that loser, I had to get out on an ex-cursion 

What’s the best way to get over your ex? Get into an ex-cursion. This type of travel is common amongst newly single people, ready to shake off their recent romantic trauma and experience happiness again.

20. Kidcation 

• I didn’t want to hear the kids complaining, so we just booked a kidcation that they’d love 

A kidcation is somewhat like it sounds, a holiday that’s determined by the interests of the younger travellers in the family. This type of vacation is popular amongst parents who are happy to let their children choose key holiday activities such as restaurants, theme parks and even sometimes, hotels.