Are you ready to discover the next big thing in travel for 2024? Get your passports ready because in the new year we’re diving into a world of unique experiences that redefine the way we wander. From stargazing escapades to culinary adventures, here are the top10 travel trends for the coming year.
Astro Tourism
2024 will be a big year to keep an eye on the skies. Hotels along the path of April’s total solar eclipse have been hot properties for nearly a year now. Add to that comets and epic meteor showers, plus the growing popularity of Dark Sky Parks and unique stargazing spots, and you get plenty of reasons to explore the galaxy while traveling the Earth.
Cool-cationing
Riga, Latvia
Global climate change and record setting heatwaves have travelers looking for cooler alternatives to the beach for their summer vacations. Some of these cool hotspots include Scandinavian countries, Scotland, and Alpine retreats. Travelers looking to avoid the heat of the Mediterranean have discovered the charm of the Baltic states, with Latvia on the rise as a top destination.
Don’t forget that when it’s summer in the northern hemisphere, it’s winter in the South. Consider skiing in New Zealand or Australia, head to Chile and encounter the Moai of Easter Island, or even look for whales and penguins in Cape Town, South Africa, of all places!
Gig Tripping
Following your favorite band around isn’t just for Grateful Dead fans anymore. Thanks largely to Taylor Swift’s hugely successful Eras Tour, “destination concert” travel is booming. Over the top music festivals, such as Untold Festival in Transylvania, are introducing music fans to fantastic destinations around the world. Long term concert residencies by legendary artists keep guests flocking to Las Vegas for a musical experience you can’t find anywhere else.
Skip-gen Travel
Grandparents can still be young and lively, even in their seventies. As the average life expectancy gets higher, the ratio of grandparents to grandchildren is higher than ever. Increasingly, grandma and grandpa are leaving their adult children behind, and taking the grandkids on vacation – often to sentimental spots that are important to them. It can also be an opportunity to make forever memories on a bucket list trip.
Luxury Rail Travel
The world of climate conscious travel meets an increasing demand for luxury and indulgence in this travel trend. Rail travel gives access to sites and destinations often inaccessible by other means, allowing for deeper immersion into places and cultures being visited – something of great importance to travelers in 2024. Rail lines such as the American Rocky Mountaineer, the famous Orient Express, and Japanese bullet trains are meeting the needs of guests with elevated comfort in their railcars, routes through spectacular scenery, and gourmet food and beverage options.
Wild Feasting
Savor the flavors of tradition! Dive into destinations offering al fresco dining experiences with locally sourced ingredients. As travelers look for authentic experiences of life in the places they visit, the chance not only to eat authentic local food, but to eat it with locals has become very popular. Tour operators like Adventures by Disney and Virgin Voyages’ Shore Things give travelers an invitation into the homes of locals, who share their food traditions with cooking lessons and meals in stunning landscapes.
Dupe Destinations
Paros, Greece – a perfect dupe destination for Santorini
The social media world loves a good dupe, whether it’s a budget friendly version of runway fashion, or beauty products that give celebrity style results at a drugstore price. This travel trend brings the “dupes”, or duplicates, to the world of vacation destinations. As global tourism keeps growing, and must-see attractions get more crowded, “dupe destinations” are growing in popularity. By skipping the overcrowded, stereotypical cities, you can discover incredible spots nearby that offer similar attractions,often with a deeper level of cultural immersion, lower prices and more breathing room.
Set-Jetting
Dubrovnik, Croatia – popular destination for fans of Game of Thrones, which used this ancient city extensively for filming.
Fans of prestige television and movies love the chance to walk in the footsteps of their favorite characters. In recent years, demand for travel to destinations from popular media has skyrocketed. Whether it’s a visit to Ireland and Croatia to see where Game of Thrones was filmed, or the fabulous resort hotels of White Lotus, “set-jetting” is the ultimate way to express your fandom.
Authentic Cultural Immersion
No matter what the theme of their trip, travelers are looking for ways to make a deeper connection with the people and places they encounter. Photographs of famous tourist attractions are great, but getting hands on with the culture and history of a place gives you a better understanding of the things you see and the people you meet.
Frontier Exploration
There’s very little of the Earth that hasn’t been explored. Social media is full of videos of cruise ships crossing the tumultuous Drake Passage on the way to Antarctica, or the massive line of adventurers queuing for their chance to ascend Mount Everest. This travel trend is more about exploring personal frontiers. Explorers in 2024 are looking for ways to push themselves in their travels, whether it’s trying a new destination, sampling challenging foods, experiencing unfamiliar cultures, or attempting intimidating activities.
These travel trends for 2024 are all about making travel more personal and meaning, while expanding our views of what a vacation can be and how it can continue to enrich your life after you get back home.
Want to try one of these travel trends for yourself in 2024?
Key to the World Travel has over 500 expert travel planners who are ready to bring your vision for vacation in 2024 to life. Contact your Key to the World Travel® advisor today, or send us a quote request to get planning your new favorite holiday tradition.
