It's the year of quiet detours, chasing JOMO

From quietcations to destination dupes, travel this year will be governed by the desire for quiet, calm, intention and connection

- Anita Rao Kashi

At the end of last year, UN Tourism announced that travel had bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, and the expectation is that 2025 will be a breakout year. Even before Covid, certain "travel trends" would dominate each year, and going by surveys by various players in the hospitality business, 2025 will see its own trends. Some are trends we're now used to and will continue; others have transformed and found other names, and some are new with technology and tools such as AI becoming linked with travel. The thread that runs through these trends is personal journeys, meaningful connections, immersive experiences and the search for the offbeat. Here are some travel terms you're likely to hear throughout the year.

CALMCATION

Covid and the subsequent upheaval in wellbeing gave rise to sleep tourism, which has now evolved into calmcations or quietcations, or holidays that focus on tranquillity. Quiet parks and spaces away from urban noise are much sought after. The idea is to pick a quiet location and then unplug, stepping away from the noise that comes from being connected.

One can find "quiet spots" on the Norwegian coast that are not only steeped in quietude but monitor sound and forecast noise levels, comparing them to the din in metros like London, Paris and New York.

DUPES AND DETOURS