These Are the Top Destinations for 2025, According to Amex Travel

The 2025 calendar year is nearly here, and travelers are already booking next year’s getaways in earnest. American Express just released its annual list of trending destinations, featuring 10 must-visit global hotspots. The list is based on data from card member reservations and year-over-year increases. 

In the U.S., there’s a clear focus on travelers wanting to visit the great outdoors. “Moab, Utah and Sun Valley, Idaho are seeing growth in bookings, especially [from] Millennial and Gen Z,” Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel, told Travel + Leisure. 

That includes accommodations like ULUM Moab, where luxury safari glamping tents offer a secluded stay near Canyonlands and Arches National Park, and Sun Valley Resort, with year-round outdoor adventure and a full-service spa. 

Both of these properties are part of Amex’s refreshed Hotel Collection, a portfolio of over 1,000 upscale accommodations worldwide. Over 300 new hotels were added in 2024, says Amex. Hotel Collection guests receive exclusive benefits–like late checkout and a $100 property credit — when booking directly with Amex Travel and with an Amex Platinum or Amex Gold card.

“The question card members ask Amex Travel the most is ‘where should I go next?”’ Hendley added. This report helps answer that. Here’s the full list of 2025 trending destinations, in no particular order, according to the data. 

1. Brisbane, Australia
   Wedged between the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, Brisbane has a vibrant dining and nightlight scene, has world-class museums, and it is a surfer’s paradise. Recommended hotel: Hotel X Brisbane Fortitude
   
   
2. Brittany, France
   Located in France’s northwesternmost region, Brittany is part of a hilly peninsula extending out toward the Atlantic Ocean with a distinctive culture, coastal scenery, and miles of seaside walking paths.
   Recommended hotel: Le Grand Hôtel Dinard
   
   
3. Franschhoek, South Africa
   South African wine is on full display in Franschhoek, a mountain-ringed gem and the perfect add-on to a safari vacation with dozens of wineries, farm-to-table restaurants, and hiking.
   Recommended hotel: Delaire Graff Lodges And Spa
   
   
4. Koh Samui, Thailand
   This popular Thai beach locale, with pristine white sand beaches and turquoise waters, will be featured in next season’s White Lotus. Set-jetters rejoice.
   Recommended hotel: Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui
   
   
5. Macau, China
   Not only is Macau right off the coast of Hong Kong, but it also has UNESCO World Heritage status and features unique Cantonese-Portuguese fusion cuisine. Of course, there are the nightlife and casinos that make it known as “Las Vegas of the East.”
   Recommended hotel: Mandarin Oriental Macau
   
   
6. Moab, Utah
   Moab is the ideal starting point to explore the American Southwest, with several national parks at the town’s doorstep. Outdoor adventurers will live all the activities — from mountain biking to rock climbing to off-roading in Hummers.
   Recommended hotel: ULUM Moab
   
   
7. Nikko, Japan
   It’s not just about Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, anymore. Nikko is a tucked-away mountain retreat with photogenic waterfalls and abundant hiking trails.
   Recommended hotel: Nikko Kanaya Hotel
   
   
8. Paros, Greece
   Greece will remain popular with Americans in 2025, says Amex. But the more laid-back Paros has become the Greek island of choice with a vibrant cultural scene and rocky coastline studded with beaches and sea caves. 
   Recommended hotel: Avant Mar
   
   
9. São Paulo, Brazil
   While Rio might get more of the spotlight, São Paulo will shine next year with an architectural heritage, and some of the continent’s best museums and homegrown fashion. Don’t forget about Formula 1 races there, too.
   Recommended hotel: Rosewood Sao Paulo
   
   
10. Sun Valley, Idaho
    From ski to spa and with fewer crowds than other Western resorts, Sun Valley appeals to a wide range of travelers. And don’t sleep on the destination in summer either, with activities like trout fishing and whitewater rafting.
    Recommended hotel: Sun Valley Resort