Filipinos are not only looking poised to keep traveling in 2025. According to the multi-awarded international travel brand Trafalgar Travel, we are looking to travel a little differently.
A brand of The Travel Company (TCC) umbrella that specializes on guided tours, Trafalgar has gleaned some interesting shifts and trends among the bookings it has received for 2025 from the Philippines, with Filipinos “increasingly prioritizing meaningful and enriching travel experiences,” Nick Lim, CEO for Asia of TCC said in a statement.
See some of the trends below:
1. Slow travel. Characterized by longer stays at a destination, slow travel has seen a 6% rise in popularly among Filipinos who have been booking trips that last more than 10 days.
According to their data, 81% of Filipino travelers prefer trips that last between 10-14 days, compared to 2023 bookings. Some 14% Filipino travelers meanwhile favor extending up to 21 days.
This is actually good for our well-being. In a 2024 interview with GMA News Online, Celine Ann T. Ibay, a mental health occupational therapist encouraged Filipino employees to take vacations to relieve their stress. “The Philippines has approximately one month combined worth of regular and special non-working holidays every year. We should use them, along with our leaves, to our advantage as much as we can,” she said.
2. Visiting secondary cities. According to Trafalgar, Filipinos are tuning into charms of secondary cities, with on-ground team seeing increased inquiries for travel that are more off-beaten.
Secondary cities or secondary destinations are often less crowded and less expensive than top-of-mind destinations. Think Osaka to Tokyo in Japan, Matera to Amalfi in Southern Italy, or closer to home, Siquijor and/or Bohol to Boracay.
3. Solo travel. Comedienne K Brosas might be on to something with her solo travels, as more and more Filipinos are seeing the value of solitude when it comes to travel.
According to Trafalgar’s data, solo travel has seen a steady annual rise since 2023, “reflecting the appeal of individual exploration with the safety of structures that guided tours afford.”
There was a 5% increase in solo travel bookings in 2024 compared to 2023, and 2025 is looking no different.
4. Multi-generational travel. Despite the increase in solo travel, family travel is looking like it’s back with the vengeance. According to Trafalgar data, it’s no longer just the nuclear family going on vacation — Filipinos are now traveling with lolo and lola, and maybe a cousin and a Tita in tow, too.
“This trend underscores the value of shared experiences that bridge generations,” Trafalgar said in a statement.
Founded in 1947, Trafalgar has some 300 guided travels — complete with a tour manager — across 70 countries in seven continents on offer.
“Whether it’s savoring the charm of a lessen known cities , embarking on a solo journey, or creating memories with family, Trafalgar is committed to crafting journeys that inspire and connect,” Lim said.
— LA, GMA Integrated News
Be the first to comment