According to the report, based on year-over-year data analysis, travellers are booking later, spending more cautiously, and prioritising short-haul and regional destinations over long-haul travel. “This holiday season, travellers are making more intentional choices about where and how they spend,” said Noreen Henry, Chief Revenue Officer at Sojern. “Our data shows a clear opportunity for travel marketers to focus on regional getaways, flexible pricing, and last-minute offers as consumers rethink their spending.”
United States: driving and domestic travel dominate
In the U.S., nearly 90% of holiday travellers plan to drive rather than fly, marking a notable behavioural shift amid inflationary pressures. Domestic flight bookings are up 4% year-on-year, while outbound bookings to international destinations such as Canada (-14%), Mexico (-5%), the Caribbean (-8%), Asia (-9%), and Europe (-3%) have declined. Inbound international travel to the U.S. is also softening, with bookings down 16% to New York and 18% to Florida.
Promotional periods like Black Friday and Cyber Monday remain key booking triggers, as travellers hold out for deals and shorten booking windows.
Latin America and Caribbean: Puerto Rico leads growth
Across Latin America, cost-conscious travel persists. While flight bookings from the U.S. to the region are down 8%, Puerto Rico stands out as a success story, with bookings up 9% overall—driven by a 7% rise from the U.S. and 28% growth from international markets. The island continues to outperform traditional Caribbean competitors such as Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
Europe: short-haul and Christmas market travel surge
European travel data shows a decisive move towards short-haul leisure breaks and festive tourism. Domestic travel within Europe is up 8%, while bookings to North America are down 17%. Budapest, Warsaw, Gdansk, and Vienna are emerging as top destinations, with Austria posting a 21% increase in travel bookings.
London, Paris, and Dubai remain leading global hubs, benefiting from strong winter event calendars and enduring appeal. Late booking remains a key trend – over half of European bookings for the holiday season are still pending, creating opportunities for continued marketing engagement.
GCC: strong domestic demand and event-led travel
In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), travel demand remains robust, supported by large-scale events and new infrastructure. Saudi Arabia has recorded a 25% rise in domestic bookings, while Dubai continues to dominate UAE inbound travel, capturing 88% of bookings. The upcoming Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is expected to further boost regional arrivals and luxury travel spend.
Asia-Pacific: Chinese New Year 2026 drives surge in bookings
Early indicators show strong growth ahead of Chinese New Year 2026, which begins on 17 February. Overall, APAC flight bookings are up 26%, and hotel bookings up 16% compared to last year. Outbound travel from China has surged- flights up 54% and hotels up 28%- reflecting renewed confidence and expanded travel horizons.
Top regional destinations include Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok, and Manila, while Australia’s major cities – Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane – continue to attract rising inbound demand. Notably, Chinese bookings to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa have increased by 330%, signalling a strong recovery in long-haul travel.
Sojern’s Holiday Travel Trends 2025 confirm a season shaped by cost-awareness, flexibility, and proximity. As long-haul travel remains subdued, destinations and travel marketers are encouraged to focus on regional experiences, late-booking incentives, and campaigns that emphasise both value and emotional connection.
Tags: Noreen Henry, Sojern
