The Biggest Travel Trends In 2024

A new year awaits us, which means either long-awaited vacation plans or a fresh start to plan an adventure. The fact that the previous year was marked by air traffic control confusion, industrial action, and weather-related interruption to travel plans can be ignored as the year comes to an end at midnight. After all, more than half of Britons intend to travel overseas twice or more in the coming year, according to Compare the Market research.

What may travelers expect in 2024? Last year, we anticipated metaverse voyages, sleep pods, and an increased emphasis on slow travel. This year, we’re looking at some familiar trends – sleep will undoubtedly feature – as well as some new ideas.

Here are the trends to keep your eye on this year. Happy travels!

Destination dupes

Swapping familiar locales for something new (but similar) is expected to affect travel in 2024. It’s a wonderful approach for looking out affordable sites without compromising attractive backdrops (the need for Instagram material will not go away), as well as avoiding crowds, especially during peak season. It may be abandoning international travel in favor of a domestic counterpart – perhaps the Lake District for the Italian Lakes – or just exchanging one island for another: avoid the sunset-watching crowds on Santorini in favor of the tranquility of Paros (without sacrificing the wonderful sunset).

According to The Future Laboratory’s survey of over 14,000 travelers’ plans, commissioned by Marriott Bonvoy, the hotel giant’s loyalty program, more than a quarter of those polled claimed they are planning “dupes” this year. Sound interesting? Helen Coffey, travel editor of The Independent, has compiled a comprehensive guide to swapping the most popular places for off-the-beaten-path destinations in the coming year.

Sleep and repeat

You don’t have to be diagnosed with insomnia to want more sleep; half of the UK population admits to not getting the recommended seven to eight hours per night. This is despite the health consequences of such deprivation, which include impaired memory, a weakened immune system, and increased blood pressure. All herald the development of sleep tourism; according to Booking.com, 58% of travelers visit only for uninterrupted sleep.

Sleep concierges and the use of technology to guarantee counting sheep pays off are expected to rise in 2024, as is the “sleep retreat”. HOTEL de LËN in northern Italy provides a “regenerative sleep experience” surrounded by nature. Rooms include a “sleep radiance panel” (claimed to “reorganise energy”) and a tool for reducing high-frequency disruptions. That, along with time in a spa, sounds like a good method to improve nocturnal patterns; at the very least, you’ll be able to take use of the fresh Dolomites air to burn off some energy before bed.

Keeping it cool

“coolcaytion” is one of the worst portmanteaus that will dominate holiday travel this year. While British vacations have traditionally been about chasing the sun and returning home bronzed, the blazing heat of recent years – rising temperatures and wildfires wreaking havoc on Europe in 2023 – will cause traditions to change. Sebastian Ebel, chief executive of Tui, the UK’s second largest travel operator, has cautioned that harsh weather may drive customers to cooler destinations, and Marriott Bonvoy’s research supports this position.

More over half indicated climate change would influence their trip planning, while 56% said they’d prefer to spend their vacation cooling off rather than bouncing from shade to shade. Travel companies report an increase in the popularity of northern Europe (where there are still beautiful beaches to rest on), and this trend will also see travelers pushing their vacations into the shoulder season to visit the areas they love without the heat of peak season.

Girls going solo

What was previously a small aspect of the travel landscape has grown in popularity in recent years and is expected to develop further in 2024. According to the most recent Lemongrass annual travel trend research, the number of operators offering women-only vacations has more than doubled in recent years, and 64% of global travelers are female.

Intrepid Travel, one of the pioneers, operates Women’s Expeditions, which feature travels led by female guides that “celebrate the spirit of women.” Insight Vacations, another business, has developed Wander Women itineraries crafted by all-female teams; they say it’s about more than the place, it’s a “journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and connection”. Catherine Edsell, founder of Cath Adventure, a tour operator that specializes in adventure tours for women, stated, “Such rapid change can only occur in a stripped-back environment where you allow yourself to be touched by nature and supported by others.”

Cruising – home or away?

What will be the big trend for seaside vacations is debatable; it depends on who you ask. The selection of adventure excursions, which enable passengers access to more remote parts of the Earth, is expected to expand, with Akvile Marozaite, CEO of the adventure Cruise Network (which represents 18 specialty cruise lines), claiming that the industry has doubled in size over the last two years. If you want to see spectacular wildlife or explore unspoiled tundra, Hurtigruten Silversea, Seabourn, and Ponant are ready to provide this year.

On the other end of the spectrum, the demand for UK coastal cruises is increasing. They drew a lot of attention during the epidemic because to restrictions on global travel, but according to travel broker Iglu Cruise, interest is still up 33% in the previous year. Tony Andrew, general director of cruise.co.uk, told The Independent: “Expect holidaymakers to continue to sail around the British Isles, at consistently high levels, as people further realize all the benefits of getaways at sea compared to on land.”

Sporting chance

This year has a bumper schedule for sports, and that is driving travel choices. To use another terrible portmanteau (sorry) that has unfortunately creeped into holiday talk, sports have become “occasions” – specific occasions to go to a destination, tagging on some the time to visit some attractions. Millions of visitors will descend on Paris for the Olympic and Paralympic Games from July to September; there have already been warnings of hotel prices shooting up in the French capital.

You’ll notice changes in the city, with the Games driving change, from extended Metro links and more cycle lanes to revamped museums (even the water of the Seine should be cleaner). Germany will see a similar boost come June as it hosts Uefa Euro 2024.

Host cities can be found in every region, with the final held in Berlin on 14 July. The Formula 1 calendar kicks off in Europe from May, and this year the Tour de France begins in Italy for the first time, with racers setting off from Florence. In between all of the sporting action, there may even be time to see the sights.