Here are eight terms, some brand-new, others recently resurfaced, that match today’s travel trends.
For your next trip, have you considered townsizing? What about choosing a detour destination? And instead of forest-bathing, maybe it’s time to give land snorkeling a try.
If the terms sound odd, you might need a travel translator. Agencies, online platforms and sometimes travelers themselves have been flexing their creative language skills by labeling trends in travel — some new, some tried-and-true (like bleisure, a trip that combines business with leisure time).
The following guide will help you keep up with the lexicon of travel.
Detour destinations
Last year’s destination dupes became this year’s detours in Expedia’s 2025 trend report.
Detour destinations are “less well-known and less crowded than tourist hot spots,” according to the report. They can be destinations on their own or side trips from a bigger target. Examples include pairing Reims with Paris, in France, and Santa Barbara, Calif., with Los Angeles.
This practical two-for-one trip concept bundles an appealing neighbor with the closest major airport destination.
Townsizing
If there were awards for Wordsmith of the Year, consider Priceline for its addition of townsizing. Your next vacation is townsized if instead of big-city buzz you opt for small-town vibes in easygoing destinations.
