The adage “The only constant in life is change” is even more true when it comes to travel trends. The tourism industry is changing and evolving every year to meet the new aspirations and dreams of people traveling the world. All sorts of trends have emerged in the industry over the past few years. glamping in National park To international Traveling alone to wellness tourism And even volunteer work. But 2024 is proving to be very different. This year, travelers are rewriting their itineraries and adding entirely new destinations, travel styles, and more to their itineraries. Learn what to expect from this year's top travel trends with knowledge from industry experts.
Trend 1: Decline in solo travel
In recent years, solo travel has become popular as travelers take their vacation into their own hands. But the rise has already been followed by a fall. “After COVID-19, there was a significant increase in solo travel throughout 2023.” Peter StrebelPresident of the Americas rate gain (a global provider of travel and hospitality data) told HAP. “Couples and duo travelers now outnumber solo travelers,” he explains. “The desire to share experiences and connect is shaping travel preferences for more intimate and culturally immersive journeys for couples and paired travelers. The trend of 'friendcations', where travelers stay together at a destination, is on the rise.'' This shows that people are now more interested in creating things. share Memories and experiences as opposed to independent ones.
Trend 2: TV-inspired travel, also known as set jetting.
New trends are emerging thanks to movies, television, and social media. What has come to be known as “set jetting” refers to the movement of people to different locations that serve as the backdrop for a film or television show. “In line with this trend, Thailand ( white lotus season 3), Malta (setting) gladiator 2), Scottish Highlands (as seen in) outlander), South Korea (expected) squid game season 2), Greece (highlighted in) argyle) will emerge as a prominent tourist destination in 2024,” says Strebel.
Trend 3: Increase in last-minute travel
according to Willy FernandezChief Marketing Officer rental escape, it has been found that last-minute travel plans will increase in 2024. “Typically, we have a high percentage of guests who book six to nine months in advance, but that lead time is changing and guests are saying they want to travel within 90 days,” he explains. To do. The main reason for this is the flexibility of work, with most companies now adopting remote work and flexible scheduling. Additionally, new online travel sites and apps are making it easier than ever to find and book last-minute accommodation, flights, and activities, often at discounted rates.
Trend 4: Entertainment Travel
More people will travel this year for Something – a concert, show, event, etc. (Think of Taylor Swift's Elas Tour and how many people traveled around the world to see her perform.) ““Traveling to see your favorite artists, performers, and sports teams live has become a prominent trend in the travel industry,” says a luxury travel expert. Stephanie De Santi Davis. “Whether it's traveling across continents to see an iconic performance or across the country to see a once-in-a-lifetime sporting event, people have the opportunity to combine their passion with a bespoke travel experience. ” If you can pack an event into your trip, you can truly kill two birds with one stone.
Trend 5: Luxury travel
If there's one thing we love, it's luxury travel, and it seems we're not the only ones. “Luxury travel is skyrocketing in popularity as people are drawn to the allure of great accommodations and experiences featured on social media and the internet,” de Santy-Davis said. They are motivated by content and videos and seek out these experiences to make their dream vacations a reality.'' Furthermore, luxury travel has become more accessible to people these days.
“Once thought to be something only the wealthy could afford, people are learning to utilize a variety of strategies to make luxury travel more accessible,” she says. “Through credit card points and airline and hotel loyalty programs, travelers can accumulate points to offset the cost of their vacation and enjoy luxury experiences without breaking the bank.”
Trend 6: Increased international business travel
After the global pandemic, people are no longer able to travel for business (or ), it's no surprise that business travel has increased in recent years. In particular, he sees an increase in global business travel bookings for 2024. The main reason for this is the increasing interconnectedness of the global economy. As companies seek to expand their reach and enter new markets, they cannot ignore the need for face-to-face interaction with others. And despite advances in technology and communication methods, there is no substitute for face-to-face connection.
