Top holiday destinations for 2025

JAPAN is still one of the most popular holiday destinations ahead of perennial Asian favourites Bali, Vietnam and Thailand for holidaymakers planning their 2025 trips, according to travel industry experts.

Europe remains popular while cruising is enjoying a boom, especially adventure trips fuelled by new ships coming into service.

Danny Englman, joint managing director of FBI Travel of Caulfield North, said: “Japan is the hottest destination in our region, so it is important to book well ahead when planning a trip.

“Japan is a modern, safe, eclectic country with a fascinating culture that is easy to get around.

“Korea is becoming a popular holiday destination, while the traditional Asian hot spots of Bali and Thailand remain strong, but they have been challenged by Vietnam, where people are heading to the beach resorts of Hoi An and Phu Quoc.”

Britain and Europe are still popular, with Englman highlighting countries such as Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Croatia and the south of France enjoying boom times with tourism.

“Multi-generational travel is very popular, especially to close destinations such as Thailand where the whole family can stay at a large villa with a private pool and even have their own chef,” said Englman.

“Club Med resorts also cater for multi-generational family groups very well, with the most popular among Australians for summer holidays being Bali, Phuket, Maldives and Bintan Island near Singapore.”

Cruising is still booming, according to Englman, whether it’s ocean, river or adventure trips.

“Many people are looking at luxury cruising in the Mediterranean on established lines such as Regent, Silversea and Seabourne,” he said.

“There are also smaller luxury yachts operated by the Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons and the recent Explora Journeys which bills itself as a luxury hotel at sea. These yachts can access ports that are not available to the larger cruise ships.

“Expedition ships are a growing segment and currently there is a glut of luxury-style ships offering good-value deals for cruises including Antarctica, Galapagos, Kimberley and the Komodo island in Indonesia.”

Englman said river cruising is popular, led by Viking, the largest river cruise operator in Europe, and is ideal for exploring the cities along the major rivers.

“There are some good Jewish heritage river cruises that feature Budapest and Vienna.”

Within Australia, Queensland is popular along with the Kimberley, Northern Territory and outback rail journeys.

“People did a lot of tours within Australia immediately post-Covid, but that has come off the boil as more people head overseas again,” said Englman.

More travellers are turning to travel advisors to book their trips to avoid anxiety if their travel plans are suddenly changed.

“In Europe at the height of summer the airports are so busy that the systems don’t cope well, and without a travel advisor to help if flights are cancelled you are on your own,” said Englman.

David Goldman, Sydney-based joint managing director of Goldman Group, said Japan was a clear favourite when it comes to holidays in Asia, while Italy is very popular for European trips, but noted a strong interest in holidays in Portugal, Vietnam and Fiji along with a renewed interest in China.

Within Australia holidaymakers are favouring central Australia, the Kimberley region, outback rail journeys and Queensland beach resorts. Goldman said that cruising is appealing to a younger age group than in previous years.

“Cruising to Antarctica is on the rise with luxury ships such as the Scenic Eclipse which offers private helicopter tours and submarine dives. It’s an adventure experience combined with on-board luxury.”

Goldman said that more hotels around the world are catering for solo travellers, which is a growing market.

“Holistic wellness retreats are extremely popular, blending nature and spirituality, led by high-end properties such as Six Senses Bhutan and the Kamalaya wellness retreat in Koh Samui, Thailand.”

The wonders of nature are a popular theme for many travellers, according to Goldman.

“People are looking for something different and want to see natural phenomena in luxury settings, so for Tanzania’s great wildebeest migration they can stay at Singita game lodges or for the aurora borealis (northern lights) visit Sweden.”

Another trend is ‘slow travel’ where people are spending more time in each place.

“Once they would rush around and do 10 cities in one trip, but now they just do three cities and prefer to spend time on local experiences such as learning to cook pasta from a nonna in Italy.”

Goldman said that travel to Israel has been limited to those visiting friends and relatives as well as some missions, but the Goldman Group hoped to be taking athletes and staff to Israel for the next Maccabiah Games in July 2025.