Future of Travel 2024
Ready to dive into the exciting trends shaping the way we travel? As a Design & Innovation Director a with passion for trend forecasting and a chronic wanderluster, I like to research, read and forge my opinion on what are the direction of travel in the future. I’ve developed a point of view on the 2024 Travel Trends leveraging multiple sources of informations like reports, cases and articles from industry leaders. You will find the link to the sources at the end of this article.
TREND 1
The allure of entertainment becomes a guiding force in crafting immersive and memorable travel experiences.The trend revolves around entertainment-inspired travel, merging the thrill of show-influenced trips with the exhilaration of concert-driven getaways and the excitement of the unexpected.
Show-Influenced Travel:
More than 50% of travelers are now planning trips based on their favorite shows and movies, beating the influence of social media. For example, after the release of “Wednesday” on Netflix, Expedia saw a 150 percent increase in travel searches for Romania. Other destinations are Paris inspired by Emily in Paris season 4, South Korea inspired by Squid Game season 2, Thailand inspired by The White Lotus season 3
Concert-Driven Travel:
Nearly 70% of respondents want to travel for concerts outside their hometown. Destinations like Kuala Lumpur and Edmonton gain popularity for unexpected cultural events.
According to DICE, a global app for purchasing gig tickets, Leeds, Bordeaux, Rome, Milan, and Paris offer the highest number of concerts per city priced at less than £20 in 2024
Mystery Destination Adventures:
With over 52% of modern travelers seeking excitement and the joy of spontaneity, booking surprise trips is on the rise. Everything, including the destination, remains unknown until arrival, providing a refreshing break from decision fatigue and endless choices. Check www.journeetrips.com or https://srprs.me/uk if you wanna give it a try!
TREND 2
It’s more than sightseeing: it’s about personal growth and self-discovery. 73% travellers believe that they are the best version of themselves when they are on holiday (source Booking.com) This trend closely tied to the “Milestone Motivation” concept, addressing to various life transitions such as retirement, sabbatical, coping with personal problems and going through an healing journey or preparing for new opportunities. Social media has helped wellness tourism grow in popularity. #wellnessretreat and #spiritualretreat have a combined viewing of over 33 million on TikTok and over 584,000 posts on Instagram – making retreat holidays a well-known concept. (source Euronews Travel)
Brands are already tapping into this opportunity. Watch the new “Leave Better” Ritz-Carlton Hotel international marketing campaign celebrating the transformational power of travel.
Reboot and heal:
Post-pandemic, 21% of travelers prioritize health and wellness in travel plans. Wellness retreat simply allow you to rest and revive in your own way, mentally and physically. Engaging in a variety of activities such as sylvotherapy (forest bathing), food bootcamps, sound healing sessions, puppy yoga, a proved more popular than traditional spa offerings. Conrad Bali introduced “SWAY sleep therapy”, a unique experience that combines diverse techniques in a cocoon hammock to promote profound relaxation and a feeling of nurturing.
Established after the founder’s transformative solo trip to Zanzibar after the loss of her mother and grandmother, The Black Travellers Collective (BTC) organizes group trips for Black travelers, prioritizing community and well-being.
Active Relaxation:
Walking holidays with particular emphasis on self-reflection and personal growth are selling particularly well, such as the legendary Camino de Santiago, up 20% on 2022, and Inca Trail treks up 40%
Transformative Workation:
Especially digital nomads are looking to experience life-changing retreats designed for entrepreneurs and remote teams, fostering personal growth, skill development, and a vibrant global community. Retreats and residencies worldwide for expert workshops, career guidance, and valuable networking like Work Wanderers, Nurall or The Nomad Escape .
TREND 3
According to Booking.com 24% of travelers aim to strengthen bonds with partners, 39% seek matchmaking adventures, 34% are willing to travel with strangers. Travelers embark on journeys that go beyond the destination, focusing on the people who make the adventure unforgettable.
Multigenerational Trips:
The rising trend of multi-generational trips, gaining more popularity in 2024, emphasizes enduring memories, building bond and connections across generations. Whether it involves grandparents, parents, and children coming together for shared experiences, these journeys prioritize quality time. Multi-generational travel becomes a gift of the most precious resource – time – fostering connections and creating memorable moments.
Affinity Strangers:
Like-minded enthusiasts come together as a group, despite being strangers, to engage in a shared experience, such as a journey focused on specific interests, like culinary exploration or other activities. For travel creators, group trips offer an extra revenue stream beyond traditional influencing. Influenced by algorithms, these travel influencers deliver the adventure, community, and authenticity Gen Z desires, actively engaging in the travel experience with their followers.
TREND 4
Engaging in learning adventures, making sustainable choices, and exploring unique destinations define this trend, promising profoundly meaningful experiences.
Learning Adventure:
Prioritize learning about the origins of a destination’s iconic dish, promoting cultural understanding. This aligns with the desire for “Meaningful Discoveries” and the creation of profound bonds with the places visited.
Sustainable Choice:
69% of travelers actively seek sustainable travel options (Booking.com, Sustainable travel International)
Original Diving has launched 10 new itineraries catering to “waterculturalists”—divers seeking more meaningful and eco-conscious underwater adventures.. These experiences include building reef highways in Fiji, planting coral in the Philippines, and engaging with Bubu fishermen in Indonesia.
Rewilding initiatives aim to revive ecosystems, allowing wildlife to thrive once again Travelers contribute to nature restoration, wildlife preservation, and community development, all while enjoying stunning landscapes and diverse cultures. Like Exodus Travels with Rewilding Europe.
Alternative Destinations
Exploring the allure of “dupe destinations,” unexpected and often more affordable alternatives to popular spots, these offbeat or lesser-known gems promise unique experiences, allowing a genuine connection with local culture. Stepping away from the crowds and exploring places like Taipei, with an astonishing 2,785% surge in searches as a dupe for Seoul. Other dupes include Pattaya, Thailand (dupe for Bangkok); Paros, Greece (dupe for Santorini);The traveler also gets a more intimate, higher-touch experience as a result.
TREND 5
Get ready for the AI revolution in travel planning. Say goodbye to one-size-fits-all travel plans; the future is personalized and seamless. Globally, 44% of travellers are using AI to help plan and research travel. (source SkyScanner). The tailor-made travel market is expected to see a CAGR of 7.8 % from 2023 to 2029, growing to over $500 billion in market size by 2029 (source Fastcompany)
Travel Planning AI Assistant Build, organize, and map your itineraries in a free travel app designed for vacations & road trips Wanderlog streamlines trip planning with its one-click attraction adding, real-time collaboration, automated travel details organization, and optimized routes for road trips—making it my favorite go-to app for hassle-free travel.
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Which of the 2024 travel trends resonates most with you? Are you drawn to the allure of entertaining escapes, seeking transformative journeys, fostering timeless connections, embarking on enlightened explorations, or diving into the world of AI-driven travel planning? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Sources Expedia Skyscanner Booking.com Globetrender
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