#Trending This Week - Commodifying Camping, Budget-Friendly Summer Holidays, Quiet Travel, Crunch Hunting, And Affordable Foodie Hotspots
Issue 244 • April 29, 2025
Summer travel is coming fast and we’re already seeing a number of emerging trends as it relates to this popular time of year. Our popular three-minute read gives you all you need to know about #Trending travel this week.
It’s The Age Of Commodifying The Camping Trip
These days, the market for tricked-out wilderness stays is expanding into big business, with more and more outdoorsy accommodations which have amenities we’ve come to expect from a hotel: a comfy mattress, a hot shower, and perhaps even a full-service restaurant. We’ve entered a new era of commodifying the camping trip as major hotel companies including Hilton, Hyatt, Best Western, and Marriott, have now joined the world of more rustic, outdoor-focused stays. Read more in Thrillist here.
Budget Friendly Is Top Of Mind For Summer Travel
We are already seeing some summer travel trends starting to emerge, the most prominent of which is the desire for budget-friendly vacations. With rising costs unlikely to slow down — the average cost of a summer trip is expected to rise 38% this year compared to 2024, reaching $10,346. As a result, American consumers are either scaling back or reconsidering their travel plans. Read more in TravelAge West here.
Quiet Travel Is Quietly Trending
A growing segment of travelers is opting for peace over packed itineraries and therefore the pursuit of “quiet travel” for solitude away from the hustle and bustle is increasing in popularity. As a matter of fact, searches for “quiet places” to jet off to have increased by 50% year-over-year. The shift is a direct response to the overwhelming noise of modern life as many people are choosing nature immersion in quieter locations. Read more in Inside Hook here.
Diners Are Seeking The Crunch
According to those in the know, our taste buds are screaming for “crunch,” gritty textures, and noisy flavor experiences. Crunch is the “texture of the moment” as people are searching for crunchiness across their meals, from breakfast to lunch to dinner. The crunch texture is also popping up in beverages and desserts, such as crunchy cinnamon sugar crystal toppings on coffee beverages and the crème brûlée espresso martinis with a hard crunch sugar surface that you crack before you sip. For a little inspiration for your menus, read more in Fast Company here.
Foodie Spots, Star Chasers, And Spontaneous Staycations
For more on summer travel trends, we’re hearing three key movements are emerging. The first is travelers swapping culinary capitals for more local, affordable, “it” foodie destinations like Rotterdam over Paris, and Alassio over Positano. Next up, fandom travel has fueled the rise of "star chasers” — guests willing to travel great distances to see their favorite artists and athletes perform. And finally, US vacationers are prioritizing spontaneous staycations, with more searches for trips within 300 miles of their homes. Read more at Airbnb here.