As we settle into 2025, there’s a real sense that this may be the first truly ‘normal’ year of travel since the pandemic. But what does ‘normal’ even mean any more? For adventure travellers, it’s about pushing boundaries – whether that’s discovering the next ‘must-do’ trek, or simply joining a group adventure tour as a change from the usual beach break. At True Traveller, we’ve been keeping a close eye on the trends shaping this year’s travel landscape, from emerging destinations to the rise of the ‘55-year-old grown-up gap year’.
Brits won’t stop travelling – but they may change how they do it
Lisa Minot, Head of Travel at The Sun, recently noted that “while British travellers won’t stop holidaying, they may start adjusting the duration of their trips”. The cost of living crisis is certainly a factor across the board, but I predict adventure travel will hold strong as the general trend for people to put more value on buying experiences rather than things grows. Last year Hilton (the hotel chain) found that 64% of global travellers were aiming to reduce other areas of their personal spending to prioritise leisure travel and I say that this can only be a good thing for the travel and travel insurance industries.
And then there are the ‘milestone mini groups’ – small collectives of friends or family who plan extended trips months, or even years, in advance, often as a way to honour landmark life events, such as milestone birthdays or anniversaries. These groups are seeking meaningful, bucket-list experiences, and they’re increasingly turning to adventure travel to fulfil that wanderlust.
The rise of the grown-up gap year
Gap years aren’t just for school leavers any more. We’re seeing a continuing demand in travellers over 50 embracing long-term adventures, whether it’s cycling through Vietnam or hiking the Andes. This generation has always been intrepid, and they’re continuing to venture far and wide, making the most of their time and resources. Luckily, they tend to prioritise travel insurance, understanding its value more than younger, less experienced travellers – though we still have our fair share of underprepared adventurers!
Gap years aren’t just for school leavers any more
Solo female travellers: organised but adventurous
Solo female travel is another area of growth, but with a twist. Rather than winging it with a backpack and no plan, we’ve noticed that women tend to opt for structured adventure tours, fully planned itineraries, and guided experiences, generally booked through specialist tour operators.
For this sector, it’s about finding a balance – seeking a sense of adventure, while maintaining security and ease of travel. The demand for ‘organised backpacking’ reflects this shift, as solo female travellers look for enriching, hassle-free adventures without unnecessary risks. When we looked further into this at data
across solo travel customers aged 18–25, we noticed that there are a lot more females than males, so it seems that this demographic is a lot smarter when it comes to thinking ahead and taking out travel insurance!
