From facial recognition at airport security lines and concierge robots in hotels to the dawn of space tourism, travel has become more futuristic than the Jetsons could have ever predicted. But amid all the cutting-edge newness, an interesting counter travel trend has emerged: Nostalgia. At Hotel Rangá in Iceland, guests can add on an “analog” package that includes a deck of cards, disposable cameras, and a coloring book inspired by local folklore.
Delta recently launched a retro-style game with an 8-bit feel called Sky Hopper that SkyMiles members can play in-flight. And ahead of the 100th anniversary of Route 66, hip, renovated roadside motels are Instagram-ready along the Mother Road—like The Mystic in Santa Fe, New Mexico which has two time-capsule rooms with decor like a Roy Rogers lunchbox and vintage cowboy curtains curated by interior designer and co-owner Amanda Tucker. From cute A-frame cabins to summer camp programming at luxury hotels and the new wave of popularity for pontoon boats, travel experts are taking note of the nostalgic trends influencing wanderlust in 2025 and beyond.
“The next big trend is often rooted in a revival of the past—what I like to call ‘newstalgia,’” says LaDell Carter, founder of Royal Expression Travel , a luxury custom travel company. “In a world that feels increasingly fast-paced and digitally driven, the craving for simplicity, authenticity, and a touch of vintage charm has never been stronger.” Here’s five nosta.
