Hey jet-setter, take note of these 2024 travel trends before you pack your bags and catch flights.
Post-pandemic circa 2023, it was all about revenge travel. We took advantage of borders opening up by visiting countries we missed (we bet many of you returned to Tokyo and Bangkok last year). But we also threw caution to the wind and voyaged into new destinations. So, what can we expect this year? Here’s a rundown of the trends shaping travel in 2024. Ready, set, jet!
Plan the best vacays thanks to these 2024 travel trends
1. Social media emerges as the top travel inspo source
Sorry, search engines, you’re no longer in the running as the top tool travellers use for vacation inspiration. In an unsurprising move, millennials and Gen Zs are turning to TikTok and Instagram for travel ideas and information. This includes poring through recommendations from travel influencers and checking online reviews before planning for their overseas trips.
2. AI continues to be your best itinerary planner
2023 saw artificial intelligence taking over every aspect of our lives, from assisting in articles to mapping out holiday itineraries. The innovative technology continues to be your best friend this year, especially when it comes to overseas adventures. Think of AI as your sidekick, if you will. New AI-powered products and features will better integrate with your travels. These include live translations (so you don’t have to wait awkwardly as Google tells you what the other person is saying) and making suggestions based on your habits and dislikes.
3. Crossing borders to see your favourite artists
Catching your favourite artist in your own country is so yesterday. Many folks are choosing to attend gigs abroad, and in 2024, this travel trend persists. Case in point: Swifties packing their bags for Japan and Singapore. It’s not just about artists staging their concerts at select venues – it’s also economics. If concert tickets are cheaper overseas and you can easily get them, why not travel? Plus, you get a whole vacation out of it. That’s a pretty sweet deal! Of course, you still have to figure out flight and accommodation costs, but those are concerns for another day. FYI: Paris, London, and Los Angeles are three cities where top stars stop over for their world tours.
4. Reach for the stars
Imagine looking up and seeing a sky full of stars. Even though we can do that here, the view is marred with towering buildings and light pollution. What if you’re able to go stargazing without any obstructions? Travelling this year is set to include catching sight of astronomical phenomena – seeing the Northern Lights up close, identifying constellations, and perhaps even witnessing meteor showers and eclipses. Check out Dark Sky International for the list of places to marvel at dazzling displays.
5. Documenting takes an analogue turn
Despite holding the most advanced technology in our hands (aka our phones), a 2024 travel trend forecasts travellers documenting their trips in analogue formats. Modern vacationers are ditching their digital devices in favour of disposable and Polaroid cameras. Some will also use film cameras (is it right to call them vintage?) to snap photos and develop the prints once they’re back home. It’s all for the aesthetics, and we’re totally digging it.
6. It’s all about shoulder season and destination dupes
Unless you’re a parent or teacher, you can afford to travel any time of the year. 2024 will see a massive shift in people opting to catch flights during the off-peak season, aka shoulder season. Bid adieu to sky-high prices, jostling with the crowds, and extreme summer weather. A vacation during the shoulder season guarantees milder temperatures and fewer crowds, which translates to a pleasant (and sustainable) holiday.
Another way to avoid overtourism? Visiting alternatives to tried and true hotspots, all because they’re more affordable. Examples include Taipei, Perth, and Quebec, which serve as destination dupes for Seoul, Sydney, and Geneva.
7. YOLO by going solo
While group travel is still the default for most people, others are prioritising themselves and going on solo sojourns. Agreeing on costs, destinations, travel dates, and even communication modes are reasons why folks are put off by arranging group vacations. That’s why most plans for group travel never make it out of the group chat, but we digress.
Another major factor for going abroad alone is the desire to travel without making any concrete plans. Some may go one step further and book surprise trips where nothing is revealed until arrival. If you’ve always enjoyed the element of mystery, take this as a sign. See where the wind takes you! P.S. Don’t forget to purchase travel insurance and inform your loved ones once you know where you are.
8. Set-jetting is here to stay
One travel trend that’s a holdover from last year is travelling to locations featured on the big and small screens. Yep, set-jetting is still in vogue this year. Unleash your main character energy at locales such as Morocco and Malta, which will be highlighted in Gladiator 2; Romania, as featured in the hit Netflix series Wednesday; and Thailand, which is the setting for the third season of White Lotus.
9. Sustainable travel becomes more prominent
In this post-pandemic era, globetrotters are more conscious of their environmental impact. That’s why sustainable tourism is fast becoming the new normal, with many tourists intending to travel more responsibly nowadays. They’re actively reducing their carbon footprint, avoiding overtourism by visiting countries during off-seasons, and supporting green initiatives overseas. In short, sustainability will play a more significant role in the decision-making process.
10. Other 2024 travel trends to take note of
There are many other noteworthy trends we’re expecting to take off this year. Travellers will continue visiting destinations to sample local delicacies or dine at specific restaurants, skip flights in favour of rail travel, sign up for sleep retreats, and plan overseas trips to celebrate milestones. Sporting events like the summer Olympics will also influence people to see the world.
We’re calling it: these travel trends are your invitation to get away in 2024.
