Winter travel in 2025 is increasingly shaped by financial pressure, with many travelers tightening their budgets and prioritizing value over extravagance. Amid these shifts, a Globe Aware volunteer vacation offers a meaningful alternative-combining purpose-driven impact with affordable travel.

By Rebecca Speier
Nov 25, 2025
TravelAge West

Whether clients are reuniting with loved ones, chasing warm weather or embracing the snowfall this winter, the holiday season is bustling.

To help advisors stay ahead of the curve during this busy time, we have compiled a roundup of observed trends from industry experts. Here’s what they say is driving travel during the holiday season.

Explore how ethical volunteering transforms both volunteers and communities—beyond voluntourism, for genuine cultural exchange, impact and growth.

Concerns over recent flight cancellations could mean some air travelers switch to road trips

By Aixa Diaz
AAA Newsroom
11/17/2025

AAA projects 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home over the Thanksgiving holiday period from Tuesday, November 25 to Monday, December 1. This year’s domestic travel forecast includes an additional 1.6 million travelers compared to last Thanksgiving, setting a new overall record. Thanksgiving is the single busiest holiday for travel compared to others like Memorial Day and July 4.

As Thanksgiving approaches, millions of Americans prepare for what is traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year. But a growing number of travelers are asking a strategic question:Is it actually better to travel on Thanksgiving Day itself? Factors such as cost, traffic volumes, and destination popularity suggest that the answer may increasingly beyes – especially for those seeking a more purposeful holiday experience, such as a volunteer vacation with Globe Aware.

Episode 7 of this season’s Edvolution Services Podcast is out! Melisa Pubil, Sandra Carden and I are joined by Kimberly Haley-Coleman, Founder and Executive Director of Globe Aware on the issue of ethics in international service-related travel.We talk about:

•  Why ethics must be the foundation of any global service experience
• The dangers of voluntourism and how to avoid the “white savior” trap
• What community-led really looks like when done well
• How schools can prepare students for deeper cultural learning
• Balancing global travel with local impacts and carbon footprint

The truth is that no matter how well-intentioned international service trips are, there is a need to delve into the ethics of the partnerships, community engagement, systems and structures that exist in the relationships that are necessary for success at all levels. That’s the essence of this chat.

In this episode of the Globe Aware Podcast, intern Santiago López sits down with volunteer Maggie. She shares captivating stories from her journeys, whether it’s helping communities, building homes in Kenya, or caring for wildlife in the Galápagos Islands, and offers heartfelt insights on what it truly means to give back.

Do Globe Aware volunteers know where 2026’s travel hotspots are going to be? Check out today’s blog to figure out exactly where travelers are headed next year!
Learn more about our own unique Thailand program: https://www.globeaware.org/thailand-hill-tribes-volunteer-vacation

The top trending travel destinations for 2026 – with an Asian capital taking the top spot

According to eDreams ODIGEO, these are the most-booked destinations for travellers next year

By Annie McNamee
Time Out London and UK
November 13, 2025

We already know where 2026’s travel hotspots are going to be. No, it’s not because we have a crystal ball (sadly), it’s because online travel company eDreams ODIGEO has looked into booking and search data to figure out exactly where travellers are headed next year.

To create its list of trending destinations, the company dug out the most-booked places for 2026 travel so far – anyone who bought a ticket with a departure date after January 1, 2026 was included. They used the same method to figure out the most popular destinations in 2025.

Americans, including Globe Aware volunteers, plan to travel for the 2025 holiday season despite the government shutdown’s crippling effect on air travel and ongoing economic woes. Check out who’s leaving and who’s staying home on today’s blog.
Have questions or concerns? Contact us: https://www.globeaware.org/contact-globe-aware

Study Reveals How Americans Plan to Travel This Holiday Season

By Patrick Clarke
November 14, 2025
TravelPulse

Americans love to travel for the holidays and that will once again be the case in 2025 despite the government shutdown’s crippling effect on air travel and ongoing economic woes, according to a new study from Upgraded Points.

Volunteer Vacations with Globe Aware’s Kimberly Haley-Coleman Ep 172

I loved learning about Kimberly Haley Coleman and Globe Aware – an award-winning short-term volunteer abroad program available in 26 countries. I didn’t know this was a thing, but I’m so glad it is! You can travel abroad to learn about a new place, help people and find purpose – this sounds like my kind of vacation! Tropical destinations, cooler weather, far away, or closer by, there’s something for everyone. Kimberly says they can teach the skills; they just need kind, willing people to offer short-term support – solo, or as a group!

Yollab brings together brands, creators and communities to build compelling content and campaigns. Expect: Insider stories from creators and brands. On this episode of Yollab Central, host sits down with Kimberly Haley-Coleman, Founder and Executive Director of Globe Aware, a nonprofit empowering volunteers to engage in short-term service projects across 26 countries. Together, they explore how brands can authentically integrate social impact into their identity, the evolution of online platforms that support and promote international service, and the cutting-edge tools transforming how global volunteerism is organized and shared. Kimberly also discusses Globe Aware’s approach to connecting travelers with meaningful, sustainable projects that make a difference—while adapting to a rapidly changing digital landscape.