Destinations to Watch Report Updated for 2025

Following a measurable increase last year, 2025 looks set to be a promising year for international travel. About 4 billion passengers were expected to fly aboard in 2024.

Today, the trade association for UK travel agents, ABTA, published its Destinations to Watch 2025 report. This report empowers international travelers with ideas and inspiration to explore lesser-known places or discover new perspectives on familiar places.

ABTA's data, published on January 8, 2025, shows that 68% of people intend to take an overseas holiday in 2025.

Many people are open to exploring new places. Forty-five percent, up from 41 percent last year, say they will likely visit a country they haven't visited before next year.

About 60% of middle-aged people also want to visit a new city.

According to this new report, beach and city breaks remain the most popular types of trips (48% and 45%, respectively), but people enjoy many holidays.

There is a strong demand for countryside breaks (27%), multi-destination trips (18%), visits to lakes and mountains (17%), adventure holidays (15%), and cruises (14%). 

The ABTA says pre-holiday preparation is essential wherever you're heading on your next overseas adventure.

To protect against travel-related diseases, the UK and U.S. CDC issue travel advisories highlighting active outbreaks and vaccination options. However, recent research shows millions of people are not appropriately vaccinated before visiting disease-endemic countries.

In 2024, significant outbreaks of chikungunya and dengue caught many unvaccinated travelers by surprise.

For example, travel-related and locally acquired dengue virus was confirmed when visiting southeast Florida last year.

Furthermore, last-minute travelers deferred about 18% of protective vaccines because they had insufficient time before departure.

In the United States, travel vaccines are offered at special clinics and pharmacies in 2025.