
What if the secret to better travel in 2025 isn’t doing more—but doing less? Across the hospitality industry, a quiet revolution is unfolding. The joy of missing out (JOMO) is replacing the pressure of FOMO, and it’s reshaping how we think about luxury, experiences, and connection.
At the recent Thailand Tourism Forum (TTF) 2025, Delivering Asia’s CEO David Johnson brought this trend into focus during a thought-provoking panel discussion.
“JOMO represents a traveller’s desire for intentional, restorative experiences,” he said. “It’s about slowing down, stepping back, and creating connections that truly matter. For the hospitality industry, it’s an opportunity to reshape offerings and redefine what luxury means.”
From wellness escapes to unplugged retreats, here’s how it’s is shaping the future of travel—and how Delivering Asia is helping brands align with this trend.
Key takeaways
A shift towards intentional travel: Modern travellers are prioritising well-being, simplicity, and deeper connections over packed itineraries—a reflection of the growing JOMO mindset.
Wellness tourism leads the way: Valued at $817 billion in 2022 and projected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2025, wellness travel is at the heart of JOMO’s appeal, offering restorative escapes.
Tech-free holidays are in demand: With 73% of global travellers seeking digital detox experiences, JOMO is driving innovation in accommodation design and travel offerings.
Redefining luxury: Hospitality brands embracing JOMO are setting a new standard for purpose-driven, sustainable travel, creating deeper connections with today’s values.
These takeaways highlight the growing demand for purposeful, mindful travel. But what’s driving this shift? Here’s how JOMO has emerged as a cultural and industry-wide response to modern traveller psychology.
The rise of JOMO in travel
JOMO reflects a growing preference for experiences that prioritise well-being, connection, and simplicity. It’s a response to years of fast-paced, highly curated travel driven by social media and the lingering effects of the pandemic.
Research supports this shift:
Wellness tourism growth: The Global Wellness Institute reported that wellness travel reached $817 billion in 2022 and is projected to hit $1.3 trillion by 2025.
Digital detox demand: A Statista survey revealed that 73% of global travellers want to disconnect from digital devices while on holiday, driving demand for tech-free retreats.
Slow and sustainable travel: Booking.com’s 2023 Sustainable Travel Report noted that 76% of travellers are making more eco-conscious choices, with many opting for slower, more meaningful journeys.
How it’s reshaping the guest experience
Hospitality brands are already embracing JOMO by tailoring experiences to travellers seeking tranquillity and purpose. Hotels and destinations are responding with innovative offerings designed to appeal to this growing demographic.
1. Wellness retreats as the new luxury
Luxury travel is no longer defined by excess but by well-being. Resorts like Six Senses and Aman are leading the way with immersive wellness experiences that blend nature, mindfulness, and sustainability. Yoga retreats, sound baths, and nature immersion programs are attracting travellers who view holidays as a form of self-care.
2. Digital detox destinations
The demand for tech-free experiences is reshaping accommodation design. Properties like Getaway’s off-the-grid cabins offer minimalist stays with no Wi-Fi, encouraging guests to disconnect and embrace simplicity. This “unplugged” approach is not just a marketing gimmick—it’s a core element of the JOMO mindset.
3. Boutique and remote stays
Data from Airbnb highlights a growing interest in secluded properties, with searches for “off-the-grid” stays increasing by 57% in 2022. Whether it’s a lakeside lodge, a beach house, or a mountain chalet, travellers are seeking intimate, nature-focused experiences that feel uniquely their own.
JOMO in action
Across Asia, hospitality brands are embracing the JOMO mindset, offering travellers experiences that prioritise tranquillity, sustainability, and connection.
1. Silent retreats: Finding peace in the Himalayas
At Ananda in the Himalayas, guests experience mindfulness-focused stays that combine the best of ancient wellness traditions with luxury hospitality. Located in Uttarakhand, India, this renowned retreat offers guided meditation, yoga, and Ayurvedic treatments in a serene mountain setting. Silence is encouraged, helping guests disconnect from the outside world and reconnect with themselves.
2. Eco-lodges and nature escapes: Immersed in the Malaysian rainforest
The Datai Langkawi, nestled in an ancient rainforest on Malaysia’s Langkawi Island, offers a tranquil escape that blends luxury with sustainability. Guests stay in eco-friendly villas surrounded by nature, where daily life slows down to the rhythm of the forest. Activities such as nature walks, wildlife spotting, and mangrove kayaking allow visitors to connect deeply with the environment.
3. Slow culinary tourism: Farm-to-table experiences in Bali
Bali’s Munduk Moding Plantation invites guests to immerse themselves in the island’s agricultural heritage. Located on a working coffee plantation, the retreat offers farm-to-table dining experiences using locally grown produce. Guests can tour the plantation, participate in coffee harvesting, and enjoy cooking classes that highlight traditional Balinese cuisine.
The future of mindful travel
JOMO is more than a fleeting trend—it’s a mindset reshaping the way people connect with destinations, communities, and themselves. For hospitality brands, this shift is an opportunity to lead by creating purpose-driven, sustainable experiences that resonate with travellers’ values.
Delivering Asia is proud to be at the forefront of this conversation, helping brands anticipate and adapt to the changing psychology of travel. With our expertise, we ensure that bold ideas don’t just follow trends—they set them.
As Johnson aptly put it: “JOMO isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing more of what matters.”
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