Booking.com reveals top travel predictions for 2025 travel

Travel

Booking.com has revealed its top eight predictions for travel in 2025 for British travellers.Noctourism: stargazing soars as Brits look for darker, cooler climates in search of cosmic adventuresWith space tourism edging ever closer to reality, travellers will be focused on building connections with the universe as they turn to more attainable astro-pursuits in 2025. Ditching the daylight crowds for midnight magic, over half of Brits (57%) are considering visiting darker sky destinations with star-bathing experiences (61%), star guides (52%), once in a lifetime cosmic events (59%), and constellation tracking (49%) top of the stellar adventure list.Concerns around climate change have also influenced this shift, with 50% planning to elevate their nighttime pursuits to avoid rising daytime temperatures and 27% of travellers preferring to holiday in cooler locations. Protection from UV rays is important for 61% of British travellers who say they plan to reduce the amount of time they spend in the sun when away.An appreciation for the nocturnal world is also deepening travellers’ connections with nature, as half of travellers from the UK (50%) would book an accommodation without lights to encourage less light pollution and preserve flora and fauna.Given the rising popularity of these destinations,  travellers will feel a sense of responsibility when visiting, with most (54%) saying they won’t tag locations on social media to keep destinations under wraps and avoid encouraging flocks of Instatourists.Brits seek life-extending holidays in 202548% of UK travellers reveal they would pay for a holiday that’s sole purpose was to extend their lifespan and wellbeing, meaning 2025 could mark the first year of the rest of their longer lives. Driven by the desire to cultivate better lifestyle choices, 50% of British travellers are interested in a longevity retreat – wellness retreats that focus on the pursuit of a longer, healthier life.Deep revitalisation is a top priority, from body vibration (49%) and red light therapies (47%) to cryotherapy (35%) and stem cell treatment (32%). Over half (52%) of Brits are looking for new wellness activities they can mix into their daily lives as they reconnect with a more balanced version themselves, including learning about timed coffee ingestion (27%) and IV therapy (26%).Multigen megatrips: parents embrace ‘spending kids inheritance’ on trips‘Ski’ holidays will be on the rise – but not on the slopes – as parents flip priorities by Spending Kids’ Inheritance (SKI) instead of squirreling savings. Nearly half of British travellers (42%) would rather spend money on a trip of a lifetime in 2025 than leave inheritance to their children.But next year, this trend will take on an increasingly altruistic approach as older relatives look to splash the cash among their families, making important memories and helping the younger generations through the cost of living crisis by paying for their next trip.While 51% of UK travellers admitted that their parents had already paid for their holidays or part of their holidays since being an adult, boomers are likely to influence an uptick thanks to the 71% who are happy to pay for their children when booking their next trip and 69% their grandchildren.Baby boomers chase thrills in 2025Forget a restful retirement; next year an emerging cohort of baby boomers will put adventure first and look for trips that satisfy a need for thrill seeking. Nearly one quarter (24%) of this generation are interested in holidays that involve adventure (up from 13% in 2024**) and 15% are eager to push beyond their established comfort zones, reconnecting with the reckless abandon of youth.14% said they would take to the water to canoe down the world’s largest rivers, 13% would be interested in sand surfing, 10% will lace up their hiking boots to trek one of the highest mountain ranges while 13% will hunt for glaciers. Tech-driven travel revolution empowers neurodivergent explorersWith different ways of thinking and processing information, neurodivergent travellers will be putting their often invisible needs in the spotlight, using emerging and evolving technologies to revolutionise how they experience the world in 2025. There is growing momentum around the need for less conventional and more inclusive approaches to travel experiences that better connect with neuro-atypical needs: over a third (37%) of those who consider themselves neurodivergent in the UK have had a negative experience while traveling due to their neurodivergence, while 41% believe their travel options are limited because of their neurodivergence.Many would like to see technology play a greater part of their travel journey and help reduce theirs, or their travel companions’, anxiety.Sensory rooms in airports, hotels and other locations are sought after by 62%, while 67% would like to see more ‘block out noise’ options across the travel experience.In fact, the call for progress in 2025 is loud and clear with 61% wanting an industry-wide initiative or programme that shares their needs and preferences seamlessly with airlines and accommodation providers, providing a closer connection between travellers, platforms and operators.Sustainable shopping for holiday wardrobesOver a third (36%) of British travellers said they would be interested in buying their holiday wardrobe during their trip rather than before, while 56% would visit thrift shops on holiday.No doubt influenced by both cost and climate awareness, this shift isn’t just about style – it’s about staying savvy. 48% of travellers intend to be thriftier on their trips and 61% are tightening budget planning in order to maximise their experiences, finding bargain hidden gems in second-hand shops has become a pivotal part of the adventure. Flying in the face of fast fashion and mass consumerism, 26% say they find better quality products in vintage stores abroad than at home, while 29% say they buy vintage on holiday because they find better bargains.Airports to become the destination, not just a stopoverGone are the days of arriving ‘just in time’ to avoid lingering post-security, as travellers reframe their 2025 holiday kick-off to embrace a new era of airport entertainment. More than a quarter of British travellers (26%) express an interest in visiting somewhere because of its airport, with 54% curious about airports with more unique experiences or facilities.But it’s Gen Z who look set to fuel this trend. 45% are keen to consider destinations based on their airport – interested in everything from sleep pods (35%) to Michelin star restaurants (14%). With over half of Brits (52%) suggesting they would feel more excited and stress-free about their trip if there were a wider array of facilities for use prior to their flight – travellers are searching for that ‘holiday feeling’ way before they board the plane.Men-only wellness trips for male bonding and mental healthMale travellers are abandoning popular expectations and ‘lad culture’ cliches to switch off from the stresses of everyday life (26%), rest and rejuvenate (26%), in pursuit of mental health benefits (21%) and personal growth (19%). Building connections, both old and new, will be crucial with 13% considering a men-only trip to tackle feelings of loneliness, more than a quarter (27%) looking to make new friendships and 19% looking to improve their relationship building skills with friends and family.Arjan Dijk, senior vice president and CMO of Booking.com, said: “In 2025, travellers will be using their trips to transform themselves, their relationships and ultimately the world around them. A growing proportion of men are seeking getaways that challenge outdated gender expectations and foster mental wellbeing. “And almost one in five boomers are refusing to let age keep them from chasing down new adventures. “It’s all about breaking travel norms to foster a deeper sense of connection. Technology and imagination are coming together to create a new era of traditions and ultimately make it easier for everyone to shape their own journeys in 2025 and beyond.”

‘A World for Travel’ event to focus on climate change

Travel

This year’s ‘A World for Travel’ (AWFT) event will be focussed on the transformation and adaptation of the global travel industry towards becoming fully sustainable.Held in Seville from 23-24 October 2024, the fifth edition of the gathering will be officially opened by World Travel and Tourism Council CEO, Julia Simpson.“This year’s event will focus on collaborative efforts amongst industry players to find solutions addressing sustainability,” said A World for Travel’s Secretary General Christian Delom.“Lessons from the Paris Olympics will be shared to further enlighten the global travel community.” New approaches such as ICF’s destination heat resistance planner and AXA’s pricing model, which includes a destination’s propensity for severe weather, will be shared.  Companies around the world are developing methodologies to address the impact of rising temperatures.“Climate emergency translates into a major threat and challenge for tourism destinations,” explained Nikolaos Gkolfinopoulos, Head of Tourism, ICF.“ICF has developed a new program providing policy and strategy advisory to tourism authorities and stakeholders based on rising temperatures and extreme heat event projections, applicable to national, regional and local levels.”This year’s agenda will cover topics including access to green financing, what happens in mountain destinations if snowfall is compromised and important communication philosophies, plus critical messaging from the French Space Center (CNES) on lessons learned from space. Rajan Dater of the BBC will again be the Master of Ceremonies. He will conduct one-on-one conversations with titans of industry on topics such as cool-cationing, sustainable cruising and business travel in the climate era.“Climate change is a global problem and collaboration and sharing information is vital.  I look forward to learning about new climate solutions while I am at AWFT in Spain,” said Kelly Pawlak, CEO, National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) and Mount Snow.Focus on travel industry financing brings forward companies like the Clearsky Fund, Amadeus Ventures and Roch Ventures to share the importance of impact financing as well as identifying sustainable financing.

‘The Shawshank Redemption’ at 30 — here’s why it remains one of the greatest movies ever

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

30 years ago, the world met banker Andy Dufresne in “The Shawshank Redemption.” Based on a Stephen King novella, “Shawshank” stars Tim Robbins as Andy, a banker wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife and her lover. Andy heads to Shawshank State Prison, where he will serve two consecutive life sentences. Once Andy gets off the bus, he soon meets Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman), a popular inmate and a man who knows how to get things. Over the next 20 years, Andy and Red will form an unlikely friendship as they both search for absolution.With excellent performances, a high approval rating, and a hopeful ending, “The Shawshank Redemption” has become one of the most popular movies of all time. However, that wasn’t the case upon its release (more on that later). Written and directed by Frank Darabont, “Shawshank” is an example of a film that continues to age gracefully thanks to its universal themes of resilience and redemption.A near-universal approval rating

The Shawshank Redemption | Trailer | Warner Bros. Entertainment – YouTube

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An IMDB score is not the be-all and end-all for a movie. However, “The Shawshank Redemption” has been the highest-rated movie on IMDB for 15 years with a 9.3. Keep in mind: this is a list with gigantic titles like “The Godfather,” “The Dark Knight,” “The Godfather Part II,” and “12 Angry Men.” Yet “Shawshank” continues to hold strong in the top spot.Why is this movie so beloved? It’s a movie that crosses into multiple genres, with a story that feels like it’s made for everyone. There is something for everyone. If you’re into prison dramas, “Shawshank” shows how life behind bars can change and rehabilitate a person. Fans love it so much that they flocked to Ohio over the summer to tour the filming locations for the 30th anniversary.Box office failure to home-viewing phenomenon(Image credit: United Archives GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo)Considering the praise and recognition “The Shawshank Redemption” has received over the last three decades, it’s easy to forget its box office failure. Critics loved the film, but audiences didn’t rush to the theaters to watch a prison drama. The film was widely released on October 14, 1994, the same day “Pulp Fiction” hit theaters. “Pulp Fiction” was an easier sell: Palme d’Or winner, splashy cast, innovative premise, and the eccentric Quentin Tarantino. “Forrest Gump,” the eventual Best Picture winner, was also a box office juggernaut in the middle of its theatrical run. “Shawshank” only grossed $29 million worldwide. By all accounts, that’s a box office bomb.Then, a rare thing happened. Before streaming, films relied on home video and cable TV for extra revenue. Even if viewers couldn’t remember the title, “Shawshank” became a gigantic hit at home, becoming the top-rented film of 1995. Turner eventually purchased the rights and began showing it on its cable networks, including TNT. Popularity soared, as a strong word of mouth led to repeat viewings at home. Add it all up, and “Shawshank” made about $100 million, a staggering number for a film once considered a failure.Hopeful ending after a bleak drama(Image credit: Alamy)For about two hours, Red’s quote about hope being a dangerous thing mirrors the events in “Shawshank.” How could anyone have hope in Shawshank Prison, especially if you’re Red or Andy?Andy comes into Shawshank, and he becomes an immediate victim of sexual assault. The board denies Red parole for the first time, killing his belief that he’ll ever experience life outside prison. Andy gets a little freedom within Shawshank’s confines only for the ruthless warden (Bob Gunton) to throw him in solitary confinement for a month. When Tommy Williams (Gil Fellows) is willing to testify for Andy to make him a free man, the warden puts a bullet in his chest.Time and time again, Andy and Red are dealt bad hand after bad hand. If this were real life, the duo would probably spend the rest of their lives in prison. But this is a movie, and after two hours of despair, Andy’s “hope is a good thing” dream becomes a reality. How can you not raise your hands in triumphant with Andy after he crawls his way to freedom? Had the film ended there, it’s still a solid conclusion.However, the final reunion between Andy and Red as two free men on a beach is why we, the audience, keep returning to the film. “Shawshank” is as great as it is satisfying. No good thing ever dies, and neither will “The Shawshank Redemption’s” legacy.Watch “The Shawshank Redemption for free on Tubi right nowMore from Tom’s Guide

Local author writes book about a child’s first orthodontist visit

Arts & Culture, Books

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Many authors have written children’s books about going to the dentist —but a local first-time author from Harrisonburg is doing something a little different.Sarah Hanger is the practice manager of Weiler Orthodontics in Harrisonburg, where she sees plenty of kids come in and out. Although people often think of orthodontics as something for teenagers, Hanger said children can start going as young as seven.“It’s actually much younger than what a lot of families realize,” Hanger said.
The idea for the book came about when Hanger, giving a presentation about orthodontics to a group of elementary schoolers, wished she had a book to help her along and found there wasn’t one.“So, I took that obstacle as an opportunity and decided to write something so that other families, and dental professionals as well, would have a resource that could connect to kids individually,” Hanger said. “It was one part being an orthodontic professional, and then also being a mother, and understanding how valuable these resources can be for kids.”Hanger grew up in Broadway and recently moved back to the Shenandoah Valley to live in Harrisonburg. She said she has always been creative and enjoys writing and drawing.Since Hanger had always wanted to write a book, she decided that this would be her first. She titled it “My First Visit to the Orthodontist” and said writing it was a relatively quick process — from initial idea to publication, it only took about seven or eight months.Hanger used the book — which features characters modeled after her children and an orthodontist resembling the actual orthodontist she works for — to gently explain the process of a child’s first orthodontist visit.
Hanger named the child in the book “Miles” because it sounds like “smile,” she said. Illustrator Alice Larsson draws him to resemble Hanger’s son, Hudson, while Miles’ mother resembles Hanger’s daughter, Cora.Hanger said that finding Larsson was one of the more challenging parts of the book-writing process — the publishing company originally sent her 60 illustrations, which she had to narrow down to find the perfect artist to illustrate her book.“I got to see that their style matched, essentially, the vision I had for the book,” Hanger said.In the story, Miles goes to the orthodontist and has X-rays taken of his teeth while the orthodontist explains why some people need braces. She tried to explain as best as she could in simple, straightforward language, using her experience working in the field.“There are certain terms, of course, that it’s kind of hard to avoid using, but some of that I kind of still incorporated,” Hanger said. “When they heard those terms at their appointments, if they had already read this [book], it wouldn’t be their first time hearing that, and they would better understand what’s going on.”The first orthodontist visit, Hanger said, is usually just to check on a child’s teeth and see if they may need braces in the future. However, she said there is no age limit for orthodontic care, and it has many benefits.“One misconception of orthodontics is that it’s strictly cosmetic and that the point of braces or clear liners is to give a beautiful smile,” Hanger said. “That tends to be kind of a secondary benefit, with the primary benefit being for the overall health of the teeth.”Blue Balloon Books, the children’s division of Ballast Books, is publishing the book, which was released Tuesday. It is available online and at some Barnes & Noble bookstores. Hanger said she may do a book signing at Harrisonburg’s Barnes & Noble soon.

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