5 Travel Trends That Are Reshaping the Way We See the World
View from our week-long Airbnb in San JerĂłnimo, Antioquia, Colombia
For most of my adult life, about 25 years now, Iâve been traveling. And for a long time, the goal was simple: see as much as possible, as fast as possible, before I leave this earth. More cities. More countries. More stamps on my passport.
Travel was a bit of a checklist. The more I crossed off, the better. But somewhere along the way, that started to feel empty.
Lately, the question isnât where Iâm going. Itâs how I want to feel when Iâm there. And that shift, from collecting places to actually experiencing them, is changing the way many of us are choosing to explore the world today.
In this blog post, Iâm sharing subtle shifts Iâve noticed by observing how people travel, what resonates on Passport in Photos, and what actually stays with me long after a trip is over.
Here are five travel trends I believe are reshaping the way we see the world.
âI want to see the world. I want to feel it, taste it, hear it, and meet the people who live in it.â
Anegada, British Virgin Islands
1. The Shift from âInstagrammableâ to Intentional
Travel has always included those iconic spots (the best overlook, the famous street, the cafe everyone posts from). And thereâs nothing wrong with that. Iâve made sure to visit those very same places. Those moments are beautiful, and yes, theyâre worth sharing.
Whatâs changing is how we approach them. More travelers are asking, âWhy am I going there?â (vs. âWill this get likes?â, âIs it trending?â). Instead, more of us are asking ourselves, âDoes this place actually make me feel something?â
Iâve always enjoyed planning trips, but these days I leave plenty of room for the unknown. The things I didnât even know I was looking for. As I like to say, the things âI donât know, I donât know.â When something unexpected comes along, I let myself follow it, even if it wasnât on the itinerary, just because it feels right. Often, itâs those surprises that help you truly connect with a place.
Intentional travel isnât about seeing less. Itâs about experiencing more. Itâs about visiting a place and truly feeling it. Not just taking a pretty photo. The trips that stay with you arenât always the ones where you checked the most boxes; theyâre the ones where you felt the most.
For more on intentional travel, check out my blog post:
Ashokan Rail Trail in Woodstock, NY
2. Day Trips Are the New Getaways
One of the clearest shifts Iâve seen, both personally and on Passport in Photos, is how powerful short trips have become. My day trips from NYC to Upstate New York consistently outperform long-haul guides.
People are building lives with travel now, not around it. Instead of waiting for two weeks off and a perfect itinerary, theyâre leaving early on a Saturday and driving an hour or two. Coming back changed, even if just a little. Those little escapes can go a long way. Sometimes more so than one major getaway. And the truth is, you donât need two weeks off or a passport stamp to feel like you went somewhere.
Day trips have a special kind of magic because you can experience them again and again, in different seasons, with different people. The location stays the same, but the experience never does. And honestly, thatâs the point.
For day trip ideas from New York, check out my blog posts:
One Amazing Day Trip from NYC: Kingston & Woodstock, Upstate, NY (Dog-Friendly)
3 Unique Day Trips from NYC That Will Inspire You
Escape to Upstate New York: Memorable Day and Weekend Getaways
One Perfect Day in Hudson: A Dog-Friendly Haven in Upstate New York
3 Amazing Winter Trips to Upstate New York from New York City
Greenport, NY Getaway: How to Enjoy a Day on Long Islandâs North Fork
A Balinese temple procession in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.
3. Travelers Want Depth, Not Just Destinations
Itâs not enough anymore to say youâve âbeenâ somewhere. People want to feel like they actually know a place after they leave it.
That means taking the time to understand it through its food, people, art, history, and the everyday rhythm of life that gives a place its personality. And not rush through it.
Iâve gone back to places Iâve already visited, not because I missed the sites, but because I missed how they made me feel. And what Iâve learned is this: even when you return, nothing is ever the same. Youâre different. The place is different. And the experience shifts with whoever youâre sharing it with. You can experience a place over and over again in different ways.
For more on places Iâd visit or have visited again, and long-term travel, check out my blog posts:
10 Amazing Airbnbs Around the World I'd Book Again
12 Unforgettable Days in South Africa: Why Itâs Totally Worth the Trip
ââ¨Parque Nacional CajasâŠ, â¨CuencaâŠ, â¨â¨EcuadorâŠ
4. The Rise of âUncrowdedâ Travel
Overtourism is real, and itâs changing a lot of the places people love.
Thatâs why more travelers are starting to look beyond the popular spots. Thereâs something special about finding places that still feel calm and local.
More people are choosing smaller towns and places where you can slow down and just be.
Itâs our responsibility to look beyond whatâs popular, not just to ease the pressure on overcrowded places, but to give ourselves the chance to experience something more authentic. There is so much more to see in this world than what everyone is already seeing.
For more on lesser-known places and sustainable travel, check out my blog posts:
7 of the Most Underrated Places to Visit Around the World
5 Ways to Experience a Lesser-known New York City That Will Amaze You
Discover 5 Underrated Gems in Colombia to Add to Your Travel Bucket List
5 Unique Things to Do in Paris, France You Need to Try
Sustainable Travel: How to Explore Popular Spots Without Contributing to Overtourism
In my room at Sebatu Sanctuary in Bali, Indonesia.
5. Content Is Getting Smarter (and Travelers Are Too)
As both a creator and a marketer, I see this shift clearly.
People donât just want beautiful inspiration anymore. They want context. They want help planning. They want real advice from people whoâve actually been there and taken the time to understand a place.
When youâre deciding where to spend your time, money, and energy, youâre looking for clarity, not fluff. Thatâs why thoughtful guides, transparency, and lived experience matter more than ever. If someone has already done the homework on a place youâre curious about, that insight becomes invaluable.
For in-depth travel guides, check out my blog posts:
How to Spend 4 Unique Days in Eastern Sicily: A Complete Travel Guide
12 Unforgettable Days in South Africa: Why Itâs Totally Worth the Trip
3 Days in Cuenca: The Ultimate Guide to Ecuadorâs Hidden Gem
City of Dreams: Your Guide to the Best of New York City
48 Perfect Hours in Paso Robles: Californiaâs Central Coast Wine Region
The Best of Los Angeles in 4 Days: The Ultimate Guide for Every Traveler
Exploring the Marvels of Mexico City: The Ultimate 7-Day Itinerary
Catching the sunset on a camping trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan on Lake Superior.
The Future of Travel
The future of travel feels quieter, slower, and more intentional.
Itâs less about checking places off and more about actually being there. Letting a place shape you, even in small ways. Letting yourself stay present long enough to notice what makes each experience different, even when you return to the same place.
The more thoughtfully we show up for a place, the more meaningful the experience becomes.
⧠For the intentionally curious traveler â pass it on.