Here are 15 more of Steve Glenn’s travel industry predictions for 2025
| This week, I will add predictions 16-30, and my next 15 predictions coming next week. CLICK HERE to read my first 15 predictions. 16. 2025 is the year of Free Agency for Elite Travelers –Credit card points are killing airline loyalty programs for elite travelers. Credit card rewards are increasingly overshadowing traditional airline loyalty programs, making it harder for elite travelers to justify their commitment to a single airline. With flexible points systems like Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards, travelers can earn points on everyday spending and redeem them across multiple airlines, often at better rates. These programs offer versatility and value that fixed airline loyalty programs struggle to match. As a result, the incentive to chase elite status—once a cornerstone of frequent flyer loyalty—has diminished, leaving elite travel (those flying 50 plus segments or spending $20,000 or more per year) to rethink how or if they retain their elite frequent flyer status with only one airline. 17. Governments will add so much taxes to airfares that sometimes the taxes will be more than the airfare – You won’t believe this. I recently researched airfare from Frankfurt Germany to Dublin, Ireland, and found a $55 airfare with $84 taxes for a total cost of $139. Basically, you pay 2X in taxes compared to the airfare. CRAZY. 18. AARP will add a new chapter of Baby Boomer flight attendants – Wow! Have you noticed how many baby boomers are now serving as flight attendants? Don’t get me wrong. I love the silver-haired attendants. They actually know how to provide personal service with a smile. I think the airlines should actually pair them up with many of the younger flight attendants as mentors to show them how ladies and gentlemen serve ladies and gentlemen. 19. Train travel is back! –Most Americans have never been on a train, however, if you live or travel in Europe you will most likely ride the golden rails. Train travel in Europe is easy and cheap. Plus most of the central train stations are in the center of each town allowing for easy walking distance to most hotels and attractions. 20. It will be cheaper to cruise than to stay in assisted living – I know this is a repeat from past years but I can’t get over this amazing math. A seven-day cruise can cost as low as about $75 a day. Living in an assisted living center is over $150 – $250 a day. Also, the cruise lines all have doctors and entertainment. I can’t wait to retire! (Actually, I never want to retire. I have the best job in the world!) 21. The dollar has risen to new heights versus the Euro and travel to Europe will be the bargain of the decade in 2025 –The last few months have been great for the U.S. dollar as some are predicting the Euro and the Dollar will reach parity in early 2025. Starting off the year of 2025 the dollar sits at $1.04 to 1 Euro. Four years ago it took $1.20 USD to buy one Euro. Basically, this means that four years ago a hotel in Europe that was 200 Euros per night cost $240 USD to Americans. Today that same 200 Euro hotel cost $208 USD and if we keep our fingers crossed may be at parity in the coming months. 22. Forget selfie sticks this year. It’s drones, drones, drones – The coolest pix this year during your vacation will come from your hand-launched drone. Drones are shrinking in size and price, and will soon be seen buzzing around a site near you in view-blocking, photo-spoiling drones. Private drones will be a favorite accessory for younger travelers as they want to experience the sites and record their travel from all directions. 23. Multi-generational family traveling is exploding –Baby boomers have boat-loads of cash that they want to invest in family experiences. Family travel is becoming one of the best ways to pull families together from locations all around the country. With the parents paying the bills, families are pulling together to visit everywhere from Disneyworld to Hawaii, to sporting events, cruises, and even places in Europe. |
  |
 |
| 24. Overtourism now requires a plan if you visit a major tourist destination – In the past year I have been to the major cities of Rome, Florence and New York City and was miserable walking and driving with the hoards of people and cars. I don’t like crowds and feel intimidated walking like a sardine up a stream. The sidewalks in NYC and Rome are so full that you have to walk in the street to move ahead. I am not saying don’t go to these cities, however, you have to have a three point plan that includes 1) Travel off-season and avoid holidays. 2) Rise early and hit the hot spots before 10am. 3) Purchase reservations for timed entry into top attractions. 25. You will have more fun walking in the Walmart parking lot than cruising to Nassau – Can you imagine 30,000 people all disembarking 6 mega cruise ships in Nassau, Bahamas all at the same time? As I was pushing and shoving through the jungle of humanity to try to make it to the Nassau straw market to show the grandkids all the fun trinkets and trash, it suddenly dawned on me…This is crazy! Why would I send anyone into this environment for a “vacation”?. 26. Airlines will start charging for carry-on luggage –Yes you heard it right! Air Canada just announced they will start charging fees for your carry on luggage. Anything bigger than a purse or handbag or briefcase will have a fee. The airlines are looking for ways to make up for the billions of dollars they lost by being forced to eliminate change fees because of COVID. The next logical fee they will add will be for carry-on luggage. 27. Airport parking will cost more than the plane ticket –Compare parking your car in the airport garage at $22 a day for a two-week vacation and you will have spent $308 for parking vs. $200 for an airline ticket when they are on sale.28. Carry-On Luggage Will Rule Travel in 2025 –Travelers are finally ditching the “chain around their neck”—checking in that suitcase—in favor of carry-on luggage. Packing light simplifies every aspect of travel, from skipping check-in lines to avoiding hefty baggage fees that can reach $100 round-trip. Most people pack far more clothes than they need, so taking half as much and relying on hotel laundry is often cheaper and more convenient. Plus, with carry-on luggage, you’ll have the flexibility to catch earlier or alternative flights if delays arise. In 2025, traveling light is the smarter, stress-free way to go.29. International business class travel is exploding –The major airlines are all adding dozens of new international flights and thousands of business class seats to destinations all around the world to meet the insatiable demand of the American travelers who have tasted the comfort of lay-flat seats for 10 hour international flights and are now willing to pay more than the cost of a used car to ride in comfort. Prices for international business class seats in 2025 are higher than ever and roundtrip prices to Europe rising to $6000 to $9000 on popular flights. 30. People want to “deep dive” into destinations in 2025 and not feel like a tourist – Travelers are craving authentic experiences in 2025. They still want to see the main tourist attractions but more and more they are turning to boutique hotels, private villas, unique eating experiences where the locals eat and ways to stay away from the plastic-fantastic tourist traps. They want to return home with a better understanding of history and cultures. They also want to connect with the locals and, most importantly, share their experiences with family and friends. |
| Check out our Weekly Travel Alert Podcast – The Weekly Travel Alert Video Podcast is available on YouTube plus all your favorite podcast stations, Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Podcast. Don’t forget to subscribe to stay up to date with everything travel. Escorted Tours to Europe for All – Travel while you Can! If Europe is on your bucket list, do not hesitate to secure your spots. We have a great variety of tours, and they sell out fast! A few cabins are left on our Danube River Cruise, March 20 – April 1. Portugal, June 14-25, focusing on culture, history, and agriculture, is very popular. Our tour to England, July 29 – August 9, to experience the beautiful countryside and London is filling. Our repeated Greece journey, September 5-16, will soon be sold out, and finally, the Scotland, Nothern Ireland, and Ireland tour, April 16-30, 2026, is selling like hotcakes. These tours are open to everyone! CLICK HERE to see all the tailor-made itineraries; most tours are limited to 20-30 travelers, making them even more enjoyable. Call or email our friendly group department to learn more and secure your spots at 888-549-1186. |
Leave a Reply