An Australian capital city has added to its recent accolades and recognition as a desirable destination. Brisbane is the only Aussie city on American Express Travel’s 2025 Trending Destinations list, highlighting its dining, entertainment and hotel options for Millennials and Gen Zers.
Brisbane was the only Australian city named among The New York Times’ 52 Places to Go in 2024, TIME Magazine included Brisbane in its World’s Greatest Places of 2023, and the city was also mentioned in Frommer’s ‘Best Places to Go in 2024’.
In addition, Tangalooma Beach in Moreton Bay was featured in the latest Lonely Planet’s Best Beaches book while The Calile Hotel was the only Australasian hotel to make the inaugural World’s 50 Best Hotels list, coming in at number 12.
The annual American Express Travel 2025 Trending Destinations list showcases 10 must-visit locations globally with selections based on Amex Card Member travel bookings, Amex Travel Consultants and Millennial and Gen Z demand.
The American Express Travel 2025 list includes destinations with newly added American Express The Hotel Collection properties, attracting Millennial and Gen Z travellers who want upscale hotels near city centres, attractions, restaurants and nightlife.
American Express research found that 72 per cent of Millennial and Gen Z travellers are more likely to book hotels that offer credit card rewards.
Millennial and Gen Z Card Member bookings at its program properties have more than tripled between 2019 and 2023.
The American Express Travel Hotel Collection now includes more than 1,000 properties in 50 destinations worldwide with more than 300 added this year.
Five of this year’s top 10 trending American Express Travel destinations are home to The Hotel Collection properties, including Hotel X Brisbane Fortitude Valley near the fashion and dining hub of James Street and the Howard Smith Wharves precinct.
Others featured are Hotel Barriere Le Grand Hotel Dinard in northeastern Brittany; Avant Mar in Paros, Greece; ULUM Moab in Utah and Sun Valley Resort in Idaho.
The complete American Express Travel 2025 Trending Destinations top 10 list:
- Brisbane, Australia
- Brittany, France
- Franschhoek, South Africa
- Koh Samui, Thailand
- Macau, China
- Moab, Utah, US
- Nikko, Japan
- Paros, Greece
- São Paulo, Brazil
- Sun Valley, Idaho, US
