15 Most Trending Destinations for Summer 2025 in the World

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NEW YORK- Asia-Pacific has secured 8 positions among the world’s top 15 trending summer travel destinations for 2025.

According to the newly released Travel Trends 2025 report from the Mastercard Economics Institute, Japan stands at the forefront of this trend, capturing the top positions globally.

Tokyo City; Photo- derrickbrutel | Flickr

Travel Trends 2025

Tokyo and Osaka rank as the world’s first and second most popular trending summer destinations this year.

This dominance stems from Japan’s cultural attractions, the weakened yen creating favourable exchange rates for tourists, and significant increases in flight bookings.

The currency advantage has transformed Japan into an exceptional value proposition for international travellers.

Nha Trang, Vietnam; Photo- Vietnam Tourism

Vietnam’s Beach City

Vietnam’s beach city of Nha Trang has emerged as a surprise entrant in the global rankings. Its pristine beaches and energetic nightlife scene have attracted travellers seeking authentic experiences at competitive prices.

This rise signals a growing preference for value-driven destinations offering genuine local culture rather than solely focusing on internationally recognised metropolitan areas.

China and India

The Chinese Mainland maintained its position as the world’s largest outbound travel market through 2024. Chinese travellers increasingly select destinations based on value and visa accessibility, with Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore among their preferred choices. Interest in Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, also shows notable growth.

India recorded its highest number of outbound travellers in history during 2024.

Indian tourists display diverse destination preferences, with Abu Dhabi, Hanoi, and Bali comprising their top three choices. This expansion comes from improved direct flight connections and a rapidly expanding middle class eager to explore international destinations. Together, these two markets continue to exert an outsized influence on global travel patterns.

Abu Dhabi Skyline; Photo- Wikipedia

Emerging Destinations

Tokyo displaced Bangkok as the world’s most visited city in 2024, ending Bangkok’s decade-long reign at the top. The Japanese yen’s depreciation played a crucial role in this shift.

Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia experienced substantial growth following visa reforms and economic diversification efforts. This created new business opportunities while developing tourism infrastructure.

Tirana, Albania, entered the top 15 destinations, driven primarily by European visitors, particularly from Italy. This city recorded the largest increase in European visitors among all global destinations in 2024.

American travellers, benefiting from a strong dollar, continued their trend of international travel to destinations ranging from Cancun to Tokyo to Rome.

Grand Palace, Bangkok; Photo- Pexels

Transforming Tourism

Across Asia-Pacific, travellers now prioritise dining, nature experiences, and wellness activities over traditional sightseeing itineraries. Destinations like Gianyar in Bali, renowned for its signature Babi Guling spit-roasted pork, attract culinary enthusiasts.

Queenstown in New Zealand demonstrated remarkable international appeal, with its restaurants welcoming tourists from 44 different countries throughout 2024.

Thailand leads the Mastercard Economics Institute’s Wellness Trend Index (WTI), offering extensive relaxation experiences and self-care opportunities. Visitors can immerse themselves in eco-lodges connected to nature or find tranquillity in meditation retreats across the country.

Queenstown, New Zealand; Photo- Wikipedia

Sports Tourism

Major sporting events continue driving significant international travel. The Australian Open tennis tournament and the Baseball World Series in Los Angeles generated substantial international spending. When Shohei Ohtani made his World Series debut, spending by Japanese visitors increased by 91%, six times the broader cross-border boost, highlighting sports’ powerful influence on travel decisions.

Wellness Tourism

Namibia, South Africa, and Thailand top the Wellness Travel Index, offering eco-lodges and specialised retreats. Istanbul demonstrates remarkable international appeal in culinary tourism, with the median restaurant hosting tourists from 67 different countries in 2024.

Thailand Krabi Island | Photo: Skyscanner

Exchange Rates Sensitivity

Travellers from Asia-Pacific demonstrate greater sensitivity to currency fluctuations compared to other regions. The weakened yen throughout 2024 significantly boosted Japan’s inbound tourism numbers. A 1% depreciation of the Japanese yen against the Chinese yuan corresponds to a 1.5% increase in mainland Chinese tourists, while visitors from New Zealand and the United States increased only about 0.2% under similar currency conditions.

Singaporean visitors to Japan reached record highs in 2024, driven by a 40% strengthening of the Singapore dollar against the Japanese yen, despite rising airfares and hotel rates.

For United States tourism, travellers from India, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan show particular sensitivity to exchange rates. A 1% depreciation of the US dollar against their local currencies increases tourist numbers by approximately 0.6-0.8%.

Walt Disney World Florida; Photo- Go USA

Bottom Line

The travel landscape for Summer 2025 reveals shifting priorities toward value, authentic experiences, and wellness, with currency considerations increasingly influencing destination choices across global markets.

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