The joy of missing out and holidaymakers looking for an alternative to tourist traps in 2025

As popular destinations become crowded and their residents protest against poor visitor behavior and “overtourism”, holidaymakers are increasingly looking to venture off the beaten track.

According to travel website Expedia, online searches show that tourists will be looking for “detour destinations” such as Reims in France, Brescia in Italy and Waikato in New Zealand next year.

Another travel site Booking.com believes Trieste in Italy, Houston in the US and Sanya – the “Hawaii of China” – could be popular among holidaymakers.

More than half of those surveyed by Booking.com said they wanted to get out of the sun and avoid “tourist traps.” Expedia says the “hunt for the less crowded and lesser-known” has people looking for new destinations as they plan for 2025.

The Hobbiton film set in Waikato, New Zealand was used in the filming of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. The area will become a “detour” for tourists next year, according to Expedia. Photo: Ginny Wong

According to Booking.com, whose survey results were published after two attractive exhibitions northern lights in the skies over regions of Europe and North America where the lights are not usually clearly visible.