2023 has been a big year for travel.
Many destinations finally saw major rebounds after several years of travel restrictions impacting tourism, with numerous countries setting new tourism records.
Some of the biggest travel trends in 2023 included the removal of restrictions like vaccine requirements and mask mandates, a return to cruising, the rising popularity of solo travel, and more.
Now Expedia has released a new report containing the top travel trends expected in 2024.
Here’s what’s trending with travelers right now and into the new year:
1. Set-Jetting
One of the top travel trends for 2024 is actually a carry-over from 2023, which saw a rise in “set-jetting,” or traveling to destinations where your favorite TV shows and movies were filmed.
Sicily, Italy was one of the hottest destinations in 2023 thanks to the popularity of the hit TV show The White Lotus, and Thailand is expected to be a popular hotspot in 2024 because that’s where the next season, which comes out next year, takes place.
Similarly, Romania started trending after the popular TV show Wednesday was released, and travelers flocked to the French capital for their own Emily in Paris experience.
2. Destination Dupes
In 2024, budget-conscious travelers will seek more affordable alternatives, or “dupes” for popular destinations that are expensive and overcrowded.
Some examples of destination dupes include:
- Paros, Greece (dupe for Santorini)
- Liverpool, England (dupe for London)
- Taipei, Taiwan (dupe for Seoul)
- Memphis, Tennessee (dupe for Nashville)
These dupes offer a similar vibe and experience with a lower price tag. Additionally, “dupes” are often lesser-visited destinations that aren’t experiencing the negative effects of overtourism like their more popular counterparts.
3. Tour Tourism
Traveling based on concert tours was huge in 2023, and it’s only expected to grow further in 2024, with 70% of travelers stating they would travel out of town for a concert.
A further 40% said they would use a concert in another city as a chance to explore a new destination too.
In 2023, hundreds of thousands of fans around the world traveled for Taylor Swift’s Eras tour and Beyonce’s Renaissance tour, with many super-fans even booking trips for multiple concert dates in different cities.
4. Vibe Check-Ins
A particularly interesting travel trend for 2024? The huge increase in “vibes” that travelers are searching for when booking a hotel.
Not just concerned with a hotel’s rating or the amenities that it offers, travelers are now placing more importance than ever on the overall vibe of a hotel. In fact, guest reviews mentioning the word “vibe” are up more than 1,000% this year, showing that this is something that is increasingly crucial for travelers.
Although “vibes” are somewhat ambiguous and hard to define, many guests are relating it to customer service, interior design, lighting, and music in a hotel. All of these elements contribute to the overall ambiance of a hotel.
While it may seem like the little things at first glance, these are the elements that can really make your stay memorable.
5. Go-ccasions
Finally, one of the biggest travel trends for next year is “go-ccasions.”
This means travelers are looking for any excuse to book a trip with friends, family, or a significant other. Travel is increasingly becoming tied to celebrating special occasions.
And we’re not just talking about honeymoons or birthday trips here.
Babymoons (the last vacation before having a baby), puppymoons (the last vacation before getting a puppy), bachelorette and bachelor parties, and anniversaries are some popular reasons to travel.
Work-related celebrations are also trending, with travelers booking trips to commemorate getting a new job, getting promoted, quitting a job, or retiring.
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