Hong Kong's top 5 travel trends for 2025

David Ho looks at how travellers from the 852 are expected to redefine how they experience and engage with the world around them

Digital travel platform Booking.com have laid out their predictions for how Hong Kongers will go out and see the world in 2025, based on their annual Travel Predictions research, which surveyed 27,713 respondents across 33 countries, including 1,004 from Hong Kong. 

“Travel is ever evolving, and we are seeing that travellers are breaking norms to foster a deeper sense of connection with self, loved ones and surroundingswhilst exploring the world," says Regina Chan, the Taiwan and Hong Kong area manager at Booking.com. "This will become even more evident in 2025."

In 2025, Booking.com expects travel will become more thoughtful, with people taking on a more intentional approach to exploring the world. Travellers will no longer be satisfied with traditional, cookie-cutter experiences, but will be using their trips to transform themselves, their relationships and ultimately the world around them. The top travel preferences that will be trending are emphasis on sustainability, wellness and cultural immersion. 

Noctourism

Ditching the daylight crowds for midnight magic, two-thirds (71%) of Hong Kong travellers are considering visiting darker sky destinations, surpassing nearly 10% of global travellers. Concerns around climate change have also influenced this shift, 66% of the travellers plan to reduce the amount of time they spend in the sun and plan activities in the evenings and early mornings (64%). A further appreciation for the nocturnal world is also deepening travellers’ connections with nature, with half of the travellers (55%) booking accommodation without lights to encourage less light pollution and preserve flora and fauna.

Multigen Megatrips

Intergenerational travel is becoming a prominent trend in Hong Kong due to the cultural emphasis on extended family living. In 2025, this trend will be taking on an increasingly altruistic approach with “SKI” vacations (Spending Kids’ Inheritance). Despite leaving an inheritance to children, the older relatives are looking to splash the cash for family, for instance helping the younger generations to pay for their vacations to create opportunities for reconnection and magnificent new memories. Most of the baby boomers are happy to pay for their children (86%) and their grandchildren (62%) when booking their next trip. 

AI = Alternative Itineraries

With advances in AI and new technologies, a significant 63% of Hong Kong travellers will leverage technology to make informed decisions and find authentic experiences. 

Booking.com's AI Trip Planner is set to play a pivotal role in shaping these journeys to deliver tailored and time-saving solutions for travellers. Over half of Hong Kong travellers (54%) show interest in using AI to curate trips, opening the door to itineraries that encourage deeper, more positive connections with localities and communities. However, at the same time, travellers will also apply a more responsible lens to how they use technology. 36% of travellers won’t tag locations on social media when visiting a lesser-known destination to keep it under wraps and avoid encouraging flocks of Instatourists. That said, technology will equally play a role in finding alternatives that can be shared without the guilt of overburdening the usual hotspots.

Vintage Voyaging

Trendy travellers are turning into vintage voyagers and enjoying a thrift trip due to the cost and climate awareness. Over half (60%) of Hong Kong travellers said they would be interested in buying their vacation wardrobe during their trip rather than before, jumping to 64% of Gen Z, while 47% would visit thrift stores on vacation with nearly three quarters (71%) having already bought vintage or second-hand products when abroad.

With 58% of Hong Kong travellers intending to be thriftier on their trips and 65% tightening budget planning to maximise their experiences, finding bargain hidden gems in second-hand stores has become a pivotal part of the adventure. Travellers prefer bringing cultural connections to their homeland and making eco-conscious and wallet-friendly choices over just shopping.

Passport To Immortality

Wellness tourism has been rising in recent years and will even go further in 2025. Nearly half of the Hong Kong travellers (49%) are interested in a longevity retreat, which is a super-charged flex on traditional well-being itineraries where temporary fixes are replaced in pursuit of a longer, healthier life, and 58% of Hong Kong travellers would pay for a vacation which its sole purpose was to extend their lifespan and well-being.

Deep revitalisation is a top priority, from body vibration (56%) and red-light therapies (54%) to cryotherapy (53%) and stem cell treatment (50%). More than two-thirds (74%) are looking for new wellness activities they can mix into their daily lives as they reconnect with a more balanced version of themselves, including learning about timed coffee ingestion (49%) and IV therapy (45%).

Also see: Looking for a quiet place? 4 serene destinations to welcome 2025