This month, Skyscanner has released its Travel Trend report, which examines which destinations have seen the biggest increases in searches over the past 12 months to determine which destinations travelers are most interested in next year.
Skyscanner, in partnership with OnePoll, a global market research company, conducted a survey of 2,000 Americans to identify trending destinations for American travelers. To identify international locations, searches for flights originating from the United States from January 1 to June 30, 2024 were analyzed relative to the same period in 2023.
Laura Lindsay, global travel trends expert at Skyscanner, told CNBC Make It that 2025 is the year of collective travel experiences.
“Travelers are increasingly seeking vacation experiences that bring people together. Americans are looking to rest, recharge and discover new ways to connect with each other throughout their travels,” says -She.
“The trends we're seeing for the year ahead are bringing people together. This search for community and feeling part of something bigger than themselves is reshaping the way people travel.”
#1 Trending Destination for US Travelers in 2025: Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos Islands
Grand Turk Island saw a 528% increase in searches between January and June.
Lindsay says that with 41% of travelers turning to social media for inspiration, the increased interest in Turks and Caicos could be attributed to the “Instagram effect.”
“Turks and Caicos is also reshaping its tourism marketing with Experience Turks and Caicos, which breathes new life into the way the island is marketed to help create more authentic tourism experiences for each of the islands,” says -She.
The island is part of the Turks and Caicos Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean between the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. Grand Turk is the second most populous island after Providenciales and is home to the country's capital, Cockburn Town.
Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos Islands
Mindy Payne | Istock | Getty Images
Grand Turk is known for offshore scuba diving and snorkeling. The island is also home to many famous beaches, including Cockburn Town Beach, Governor's Beach and Cruise Center Beach. The latter is normally used as a frontage for cruise ships and is also known as SunRay Beach.
Access to all beaches is free, depending on the Turks and Caicos website.
Top 10 trending destinations for American travelers in 2025
- Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos Islands
- Quepos, Costa Rica
- Tromso, Norway
- Province of Tucuman, Argentina
- Krabi, Thailand
- Luang Prabang, Laos
- Antwerp, Belgium
- Suva, Fiji
- Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Pago Pago, American Samoa
Quepos, Costa Rica, ranked as the second trending destination for 2025. It saw a 462% increase in searches from January to June, according to Skyscanner.
“Flying to Costa Rica can be more affordable than other international destinations. Americans are looking for where to save and still have the type of travel experiences and adventures they are looking for,” says Lindsay.
Quepos is located just three hours from the country's capital, San José. The town is famous for its sport fishing and is home to many species including marlin, snapper, dolphin fish, yellowfin tuna and many more.
From July to November, the area becomes a great place to spot humpback whales and dolphins, according to the Costa Ricathe website of.
Quepos, Costa Rica
Kryssia Campos | Instant | Getty Images
Quepos is also very close to Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica's smallest national park but one of the most popular.
The park offers its visitors a mix of coral reefs, rainforest and beaches. The forest itself is also home to a variety of wildlife, including squirrel monkeys, iguanas, sloths and more.
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