DISCOVER
This year, purpose-driven experiences and cultural connection are reshaping high-end travel – one trend at a time.
Edited by Paulina Björk Kapsalis
In 2025, travel isn’t about how far you go – it’s about how deeply you experience it. Forget the checklist-style vacations of the past – Travelers today are drawn to experiences that nourish the soul and make a difference. That’s the heart of the latest report from Globetrender, “Travel Trends 2025: A Blueprint for Better Tourism,” created in partnership with Costa Navarino.
Offering a glimpse into the soul of next-gen travel, the forecast shows that modern jet-setters are looking for more than five-star stays and flawless service. They’re craving authenticity, sustainability, and connection. Think immersive mythology-inspired adventures, elite-level fitness escapes, menus designed for longevity, and stays that truly welcome everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from
From meaningful activities designed especially for Generation Alpha to second homes that feel like forever ones, these seven trends are shaping the way we explore – with style, intention, and a lot of curiosity:
Symbiotic Uplift
High-end travel is no longer just about indulgence – it’s about impact. The first trend listed in Globetrender’s report is “Symbiotic Uplift,” reflecting a rising expectation that resorts give back to their communities and the planet. It’s about destinations that don’t just host tourists but help ecosystems thrive and support locals year-round. At these destinations, your stay actively helps preserve culture and biodiversity and ensures a brighter future.
At Costa Navarino, which helped create the Navarino Environmental Observatory before even opening its doors, 8% of the budget is dedicated to sustainability. In addition to supporting its community and the environment by collaborating with local farms and businesses, the destination also protects endangered sea turtles with smart design that limits light pollution – helping increase nest counts by a staggering 408% since 2010. It’s also home to a community-driven pet rescue program, where guests are invited to visit and potentially meet their new best friend, a program that has found homes for over 250 dogs worldwide.
Living Odysseys
Another standout trend in 2025 appears to have been born out of a deep cultural craving for immersive adventures rooted in ancient storytelling, philosophy, and classical literature. In other words, history is getting a glow-up! Today’s travelers aren’t just ticking off temples or posing by pyramids – they want to live the myths. Whether it’s standing where Telemachus sought refuge at the Palace of Nestor, or retracing Odysseus’ journey, especially now, with Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated Odyssey casting a cinematic spotlight on the region, this trend brings the past roaring back to life.
Pop culture is undoubtedly fueling the momentum. From “Gladiator II” to Netflix’s wild reimagining of Greek mythology, “Kaos,” archaeological wonders are being temporarily transformed into cinematic stage sets, and the curiosity for ancient history is more current than ever. With historic gems like the Palace of Nestor, Ancient Olympia, and Ancient Messene nearby, Costa Navarino is a launchpad for anyone dreaming of time travel.
Alpha Activities
Generation Alpha (born 2010–2024) is already reshaping family travel. With two billion kids worldwide, they’re not just along for the ride – they’re influencing where families go and what they do. Say goodbye to basic kids’ clubs. This year, hotels are designing smarter, more engaging experiences that blend tech, learning, and adventure.
Nowhere is this shift more evident than at the revamped Westin Resort Costa Navarino, where the “Sandcastle” redefines kids’ clubs as a launchpad for little legends. Here, mini mythologists can join the “Young Archaeologists” program, unearthing faux relics, deciphering codes, and crafting their own Linear B clay tablets, inspired by the ancient artifacts discovered just a stone’s throw away at the Palace of Nestor. Less into ruins, more into roots? The “Young Gardeners” initiative teaches kids to plant, harvest, and get their hands gloriously dirty in the Messinian soil.
In addition, kids can also sign up for various sports camps – from the FC Bayern Football Camp and a multi-sports camp boasting 10 Olympic disciplines, to personalized coaching at the Mouratoglou Tennis Center and training with elite coaches at the NBA Basketball School. These aren’t just fun distractions – they’re meaningful, immersive experiences that reflect how Gen Alpha learns and plays.
Olympic Challenges
This decade is redefining sports tourism, transforming it into something more dynamic, immersive, and aspirational than ever before. As the world rides the wave of Paris 2024, sports travel is surging, now making up 10% of global tourism spend and expected to nearly double by 2030. But this shift isn’t just about watching records fall – it’s about pushing your own limits.
At Costa Navarino, the Olympic spirit isn’t just a nod to history – it’s a living, breathing part of the destination. Just a short drive from Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, the resort continues to expand its legacy: from launching the world’s first International Olympic Academy Golf Course to welcoming the International Olympic Committee in 2025. Adding to its athletic prestige, Costa Navarino will also host the Costa Navarino Legends Tour Trophy 2025, drawing some of golf’s most celebrated players. Already established as a premier sports destination, it offers guests an exceptional range of activities: championship golf across four signature courses; racquet sports including tennis, padel, and pickleball at the Mouratoglou Tennis Center; water sports from kitesurfing and sailing to diving, wakeboarding, and SUP yoga; and land adventures like cycling, hiking, climbing, and rappelling – all set against the striking backdrop of the Messinian landscape.
Equitable Hospitality
“Equitable Hospitality” is a movement shaped around genuine inclusivity, because today, as Globetrender points out, hospitality is as much about how you make someone feel as it is about where they’re staying. With an estimated 1.3 billion people – or 1 in 6 people worldwide – living with significant disabilities according to the World Health Organization, accessibility isn’t niche – it’s necessary. Forward-looking businesses are building experiences that don’t just accommodate, but celebrate difference.
At Costa Navarino, guests find thoughtful amenities like weighted blankets for guests with autism, specialized beach wheelchairs, and automated Seatrac sea-access systems. Furthermore, with the recent legalization of same-sex marriage in Greece amplifying the momentum for LGBTQ+ tourism, Costa Navarino strives to cultivate a space where every guest feels truly seen and celebrated. It’s a vision shaped through deep collaboration with academic institutions and NGOs.
Longevity Cuisine
Leading the charge are kitchens rooted in the Mediterranean diet – rich in olive oil, leafy greens, legumes, and seafood – a culinary tradition now recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. At Costa Navarino, this philosophy is deeply embedded in the guest experience. In partnership with local farmers and the Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation, the resort offers a range of immersive activities – from farm-to-table dining and seasonal cooking classes to wine tastings and olive harvesting.
As part of its broader culinary programming, Costa Navarino also collaborates with the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA) to host select workshops focused on the Mediterranean diet, offering visitors a rare opportunity to learn from top-tier chefs while connecting with the food traditions of the region. Across more than 40 dining venues, the resort’s acclaimed chefs work hand in hand with local producers to craft meals that celebrate seasonality, sustainability, and a strong sense of place. Meanwhile, the destination’s renowned chefs collaborate with local producers to crafts meals that harmonize with the surroundings across more than 40 dining venues.
Second Homing
Welcome to the age of Second Homing, where flexible, global lifestyles are fueled by remote work and smart relocation strategies. By 2030, global digital jobs are predicted to grow by 25%, enabling millions to work from anywhere. High-net-worth individuals are already adapting, seeking out destinations that offer lifestyle perks and financial advantages. Greece stands out in this landscape, offering non-dom tax incentives such as a flat €100,000 tax on global income and exemptions on foreign inheritance – a major draw following the UK’s decision to scrap its own non-dom rules.
At Costa Navarino, this new lifestyle finds an excellent match. The expanding Costa Navarino Residences community features high-end villas with full-service living, world-class amenities, and direct access to the Ionian coast. With many owners now splitting time between city life and their villas, the destination has evolved into a true second home, where nature, culture, and convenience converge. And thanks to the destination’s rental portfolio, future buyers can even “try before they buy,” experiencing the lifestyle before committing – no strings attached.
