Table of Contents
Key summary of UK travel and expense trends 2025
- UK travellers are prioritizing value and flexibility over low price in 2025
- Slow travel is now mainstream, not just for Gen Z
- Business travel has shifted to strategic, combined work-leisure trips
- Lost luggage concerns drive smart carry-on demand
- Booking habits have changed: early, but flexible
Travel in the UK this year feels… different. It’s more purposeful, more expensive in some areas, but also more flexible.
Whether I’m comparing suitcase prices or planning a family trip, everything costs more. Yet, people are still travelling, but how, when, and why we travel is shifting.
So here’s what’s really happening, based on the latest data and observations and what it means for how we move (and spend) in 2025.
1. Spending is up, but travellers want more for their money
Travel might feel more expensive this year, and that’s because it is. But rising costs haven’t discouraged people from packing their bags.
Instead, we’re seeing a shift, from bargain-hunting to value-seeking. Travellers are still spending, but with sharper expectations about what they get in return.
According to a study by easyJet and easyJet holidays, British travellers plan to spend an average of £3,000 on their main holiday this year and take at least two additional trips. But it’s not just about quantity, it’s about purpose.
And a report from Hilton shows that British travellers are prioritising comfort and flexibility over just finding the cheapest deal (Hilton, 2025). Trends like self-care travel (spa escapes, nature retreats), multi-generational holidays, and low-cost luxury are gaining serious traction.
On the tourism front, VisitBritain estimates 41.2 million inbound visits to the UK were made in 2024, finally nudging just 1% above pre-pandemic levels. A further 5% growth is forecast for 2025, taking visits to 43.4 million. This cautious yet positive recovery indicates that demand hasn’t disappeared; it’s simply more calculated.
Meanwhile, across Europe, travel spending is expected to rise 14% in 2025, outpacing the growth in arrivals. This suggests that visitors aren’t just showing up—they’re staying longer, doing more, and spending more per trip. Even with economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, the desire to explore—and spend meaningfully—is holding strong.
The travel businesses that are thriving aren’t the ones slashing prices. They’re the ones offering clear, experiential value and helping people feel like every pound spent was worth it.
2. Work trips are still happening, just with new rules called “bleisure”
Business travel is no longer just about flights, meetings, and heading home.
A new blended model is taking over where professionals are using business trips as a way to explore local places, recharge, and prioritise wellness alongside their work agendas (yes, the infamous “bleisure” is still going strong).
According to Navan + Skift’s State of Corporate Travel and Expense 2025, 54% of business travelers took at least two trips that combined business and leisure in 2024. This is because travellers are increasingly choosing balance over burnout.
Multiple studies support the bleisure boom:
- 76% of business travellers have added leisure time to a work trip at least once in their career (Banyan)
- 89% of travellers want the option to blend business and leisure (AHLA)
- 44% have even turned down work trips when leisure time wasn’t possible (Visit Anaheim)
In fact, many won’t even accept a work trip unless there’s a leisure element as 44% of bleisure travellers have turned down trips due to a lack of downtime at the destination (Visit Anaheim, 2025).
Unsurprisingly, 73% of business travellers say bleisure opportunities are a corporate perk, and millennials and Gen Z are leading the charge. Many even choose jobs based on whether their employer offers this kind of travel flexibility.
From a travel gear perspective, this shift is shaping demand. I’ve seen rising interest in hybrid luggage of business-class backpacks with laptop compartments, expandable carry-ons that work for both meetings and hiking, and smart backpacks that transition from the boardroom to weekend outings.
3. Slow travel is more than a buzzword
Travellers are done with the rush. Instead of trying to tick off as many sights and countries as possible, more people are opting to slow down, stay longer, and explore more deeply.
According to Skift Research’s 2025 Travel Outlook, travel companies are expecting a 24% rise in trip planning this year compared to 2024. But what stands out isn’t just the number of trips, it’s their length. Skift calls 2025 “the year of long getaways,” with longer leisure trips now more popular than short breaks or road trips.
Additionally, nearly half (48.3%) of global travellers would rather spend money on experiences than things, according to a recent Euromonitor 2025 consumer outlook. In the UK, this shows up in the growing demand for spa breaks, food tours, and countryside retreats.
The trend is especially visible among luxury travellers, who are stretching their holidays to an average of 13.5 days, according to the Luxury Travel Report by Zicasso.
Vacationers are favouring single-country itineraries that offer deeper cultural immersion, with 76.2% saying they prefer slow, personalised journeys over multi-country sprints.
That’s a subtle increase from 2024, but it shows a steady movement toward quality time over quantity of destinations.
4. The smart luggage revolution is here to stay
Lost luggage may not make headlines every week, but it’s still a major source of frustration for travellers. And in 2025, that frustration is fuelling the trend of smart luggage.
While this mostly hit long-haul travellers, the impact has trickled down. I’ve seen a noticeable increase in UK travellers choosing hand luggage only, just to avoid the risk altogether.
According to The Business Research Company, the global smart luggage market is projected to grow from $2.11 billion in 2024 to $2.51 billion in 2025, marking a CAGR of 19.0%.
Rising air traffic, infrastructure expansion, and increased concerns over airport theft and baggage mishandling are all driving the demand for luggage that’s safer, smarter, and more convenient.
Zooming into the UK, the numbers are equally striking. The UK smart luggage market generated $114.5 million in 2024, and it’s on track to more than double by 2030, reaching $307.9 million, with a projected CAGR of 17.9% from 2025 to 2030.
A report by Sostravel.com found that winter 2024/25 was one of the worst seasons for lost bags in recent years (BusinessWire, 2025).
Interestingly, it’s smart backpacks that led in revenue generation, likely thanks to their practicality for both short breaks and hybrid business-leisure trips.
Major bag brands have responded, baking these features into their mid-range offerings rather than reserving them for top-tier products. This democratization of travel technology reflects genuine consumer demand.
If you ask me, the rule is simple, if you can avoid checking a bag, do it. But if you have to check one, make sure it’s a smart one, with features like a GPS luggage tracker, a digital lock, and integrated charging ports.
5. More people are booking earlier, but being flexible
One thing that’s changed this year? How people book their trips. According to IPA, more UK travellers now book their holidays around four months (17 weeks) in advance—some even just weeks before leaving.
Uncertainty around work schedules, flight disruptions, and last-minute deals has created this shift. It’s also made flexible booking and free cancellation policies a must-have.
But people still want flexibility. Refundable bookings, free cancellations, and travel insurance with cancellation cover are more popular than ever. I advise readers to check for these features, especially when booking family trips.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one word I’d use to describe UK travel in 2025, it’s intentional. People aren’t necessarily spending less, they’re just spending differently. They’re more cautious, more flexible, and more focused on getting real value.
And honestly, I think that’s a good thing. It pushes all of us—travellers, travel businesses, and brands like mine—to think beyond just ticking boxes.
I’ll keep tracking these changes and sharing what I see. If you’re noticing any new travel trends this year, I’d love to hear about them. Just drop me a message.
