As we welcome 2024 with a fresh outlook and resolutions, let’s take some time to look back and see the trends that shaped the travel industry in 2023 and what should we look forward to in the year of 2024.
As 2022 saw a slow and steady recovery in the travel industry post pandemic, 2023 was when conditions truly improved and saw a substantial rise in travel throughout.
There were some new trends which marked the new era of travelling with new generation & technology… so let’s dive deep and reflect on the trends of 2023 and will continue in 2024 too. While every experts in the industry have varied outlook towards year 2024, they are also cautiously optimistic about what 2024 has in store for us.
Destination Dupes
Expedia’s trend spotters identified “Destination Dupes” as a major trend in 2023, which is also expected to be continued in 2024. Destination Dupes refers to the less crowded, lesser- known alternatives to popular holiday spots. There are many places in India which can be a great alternative to the famous International Destinations. (You can see few options here) and if looking for an international trip, here are few options Expedia referred in their report –
- Taipei (dupe for Seoul)
- Pattaya (dupe for Bangkok)
- Paros (dupe for Santorini)
- Curaçao (dupe for St. Martin)
- Perth (dupe for Sydney)
6. Liverpool (dupe for London)
7. Palermo (dupe for Lisbon)
8. Quebec City (dupe for Geneva)
9. Sapporo (dupe for Zermatt)
10. Memphis (dupe for Nashville)
Tour Tourism
Music Festivals will be a major catalyst for travelling in 2024, In 2023, due to Swift’s Eras tour destination concert business is up more than 50 per cent, Expedia ‘Unpack’24’ report termed it as ‘Tour Tourism’, Expedia is expecting that the same kind of tourism is about to continue the next year as well. The survey pointed out how almost 70 per cent of respondents wish to attend a concert in a new city. Interestingly, 40 per cent said that they would love to go to a concert in a new city just to explore the destination.
Group Travelling
As per the tailor-made luxury travel company ‘Black Tomato’s Travel Trends Report‘ , Travelling in Group have been increased in popularity and will continue to do so, they note that bookings for eight or more people have gone up by 35% and now represent 30% of all bookings. For The Leading Hotels of the World, group bookings of three rooms or more grew 33% from last year [2022]”
AI Generative
As AI was the year of 2023, this will without a doubt a major part of travel planning in 2024 as well. Looking ahead in 2024, many anticipates that the era of “generative AI generation” travelers will emerge, fully embracing this technology throughout their travel experience.
A Survey data revealed that the half of travellers express an interest in utilizing generative AI for planning their next trip, with one in three stating its high utility in making travel plans.
More focus on sustainable travel
Looking forward to 2024, sustainability is gaining more focus in the travel industry. Businesses are becoming more environmentally conscious, leading to the introduction of sustainable aircraft, development of sustainable fuels, carbon capture initiatives, and the establishment of green certifications within the travel sector.
In summary, 2024 promises an exciting journey in travel with trends like “Destination Dupes” and the influence of music festivals. The rise of group travel, the continued dominance of AI, and a heightened focus on sustainability shape a dynamic landscape. As generative AI takes center stage, a new era of tech-savvy travellers emerges. The travel experience becomes more personalized, diverse, and environmentally conscious.
Cheers to a year ahead filled with discovery, adventure, and the evolving tapestry of the travel world!
