this month, Skyscanner has released its Travel Trends report, which examines the destinations with the largest increases in searches over the past 12 months to help determine which destinations will be of most interest to travelers next year.
Skyscanner, in partnership with international market research company OnePoll, conducted a survey of 2,000 Americans to find out the top destinations for US travelers. To identify international locations, we conducted a comparative analysis of flight search volume from the United States between January 1 and June 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.
Skyscanner global travel trends expert Laura Lindsay told CNBC Make It that 2025 is the year of the collective travel experience.
“Travelers are increasingly looking for experiences that bring people together on vacation. Americans want to travel to rest, recharge and discover new ways to connect with each other,” she said.
“The trend we’re seeing in the coming year is bringing people together. This pursuit of community and the feeling of being part of something bigger than yourself is reshaping the way people travel.”
The No. 1 popular destination for U.S. tourists in 2025: Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos Islands
Searches on Grand Turk increased by 528% from January to June.
Lindsay said 41% of travelers turned to social media for inspiration, and the increased interest in Turks and Caicos could be attributed to the “Instagram effect.”
“The Turks and Caicos Islands are also reinventing their tourism marketing with ‘Experience Turks and Caicos’, which breathes new life into the island’s marketing approach to help create a more authentic experience for each island. travel experience,” she said.
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, the town of Cockburn.
Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos Islands
Mindy Payne | Stocks | Getty Images
Grand Turk is famous for scuba diving and offshore snorkeling. The island is also home to many famous beaches, including Cockburn Town Beach, Governor’s Beach and Cruise Center Beach. The latter is often used as the front part of cruise ships and is also known as Sunny Beach.
According to regulations, access to all beaches is free Turks and Caicos Islands website.
Top 10 most popular destinations for U.S. tourists in 2025
- Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos Islands
- Quepos, Costa Rica
- Tromso, Norway
- Tucumán Province, Argentina
- Krabi, Thailand
- Luang Prabang, Laos
- Antwerp, Belgium
- Suva, Fiji
- Rotterdam, Netherlands
- American Samoa Pago Pago
Quepos, Costa Rica is ranked as the second most popular destination in 2025.
“Flying to Costa Rica is cheaper than other international destinations. Americans are thinking about where they can save money while still having the type of travel experience and adventure they are looking for,” Lindsay said.
Quepos is just three hours’ drive from the country’s capital, San Jose. The city is famous for its sport fishing and is home to many species, including marlin, snapper, dolphin fish, yellowfin tuna and more.
According to the agency, from July to November, the area becomes a great place to see humpback whales and dolphins. costa ricawebsite.
Quepos, Costa Rica
Crisa Campos | Torque | 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 guests a mix of coral reefs, rainforests and beaches. The forest itself is also home to a variety of wildlife, including squirrel monkeys, iguanas, sloths, and more.
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