Three out of five Canadians are looking to travel this coming holiday season, and one in five has already booked a trip.
Amex’s recent Trendex report found that, among those Canadians travelling for the holidays, 76% are planning to travel internationally (rising to 82% among Gen Z), while 59% will opt for exploring domestic destinations.
To fuel Canadian’s travel inspiration for the holidays and onward, American Express Travel revealed it’s 2025 Trending Destinations list, highlighting the top ten must-visit places for 2025 with Millennial and GenZ travellers in mind. This year’s list features noteworthy destinations based on global Amex Cardmember travel bookings and expertise from Amex Travel’s global network of travel consultants. The 2025 Trending Destinations list includes:
- BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - Located between the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, Brisbane offers excellent museums as well as vibrant dining and nightlife.
- BRITTANY, FRANCE - Distinctive culture, coastal scenery and miles of seaside walking paths like the GR34 trail top the list of reasons to visit the Brittany region.
- FRANSCHHOEK, SOUTH AFRICA - Franschhoek, the mountain-ringed gem in the Cape Winelands region, is an ideal add-on to a safari vacation with nearly 50 wineries, farm-to-table restaurants and hiking.
- KOH SAMUI, THAILAND - 88-square-mile Koh Samui offers a dreamy combo of lush jungle, white sand beaches, and turquoise waters, perfect for active travelers or those looking to relax. The island will be featured on a popular TV show scheduled to air next year and is sure to inspire set-jetting travelers.
- MACAU, CHINA - Though The Historic Centre of Macau enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status, and the local Cantonese-Portuguese fusion cuisine is a must-try for foodies, the supersized casinos are the reason this densely populated peninsula, known as the “Las Vegas of the East,” boasts a number of award-winning restaurants.
- MOAB, UTAH, UNITED STATES - As the gateway to Utah’s “Mighty Five” national parks, Moab is a perfect starting point to explore the American Southwest. Travelers come for world-class rafting, mountain biking, and canyon hiking - or simply to bask in the red rock scenery.
- NIKKO, JAPAN - This tucked away mountain retreat in mostly rural Tochigi prefecture blends elements of Kyoto and Mt. Fuji, with photogenic waterfalls and abundant hiking trails.
- PAROS, GREECE - Laid-back Paros has become the Greek island of choice for many with a vibrant cultural scene and rocky coastline studded with beaches, secluded coves, and sea caves.
- SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL - This multi-ethnic city is one of the great cultural destinations of South America and home to rich architectural heritage and some of the continent’s best museums, street art, and homegrown fashion.
- SUN VALLEY, IDAHO, UNITED STATES - With fewer crowds than other Western ski resorts, Sun Valley appeals to premium travelers and everyday outdoor enthusiasts alike. During the summer months travelers can enjoy trout fishing, whitewater rafting, mountain biking and more.
“A commonality we’re seeing across many of this year’s destinations is that several of the locations have a thriving culinary scene and a vibrant nightlife, both of which are appealing to the younger generations,” said Kim Kuzmak, Vice President of Lifestyle Benefits, Partnerships and Brand at American Express Canada.
Kuzmak said Amex card members “are keen on being fully immersed in a destination to enjoy an authentic travel experience, as found in a recent study where almost 70% of global adults agree that they like to leave un-planned time in their trip to experience local culture and activities.
“This year’s list reflects this trend in consumer behaviour, highlighting significant cultural aspects of each destination, including local cuisine to try, small businesses to support, local festivals to see and so much more,” she said.
