As we approach 2024, individuals are eagerly preparing to seize long weekends and embark on travel escapades to exotic locations that seem otherworldly. From seeking picturesque spots where their favourite celebrities captured memorable moments to venturing to destinations solely for the sake of indulging in delectable cuisines, people are prioritising novel experiences in the coming year. A recent report from YouGov and ACKO indicates that 60 per cent of Indians are eyeing international destinations, with almost half of them planning to increase their travel budget for the next year. Here are top five travel trends poised to dominate the upcoming year. Check it out:
- In Quest Of Water: Going by a provisional report from the UN issued earlier this month, 2023 is set to be the hottest year on record. As per Booking.com’s 2024 travel predictions survey, 51 per cent of vacationers said that their travel plans will be affected by climate change and that they will utilise their vacation to cool off. Water-centric tourism is likely to grow in popularity, with 75 per cent agreeing that being close to water reduces their stress.
- AI travel: As we progress into 2024, it is anticipated that AI will extend its influence to dominate the tourism industry. Currently, vacationers leverage AI for discovering destinations, planning trips, and crafting itineraries. According to the recent Unpack 2024 report, Expedia predicts that the upcoming generation of generative AI travellers will fully embrace its use in travel planning. The report reveals that half of the holidaymakers express interest in utilizing AI to create trip plans, 35 per cent intend to employ it for planning activities, and 40 per cent envision using AI to find the perfect accommodation. This marks a significant shift in how AI is shaping and enhancing the travel experience for users.
- Dry Tripping: Dry dating, or going on alcohol-free dates, was the trend in 2023. This is likely to continue in 2024 for dry tripping by planning detox getaways or visiting locations where alcohol-free activities are offered. Vacations are usually a time to let loose, but since the pandemic, there has been a shift towards lower consumption of alcohol. According to an Expedia survey, half of the holidayers say they would be interested in staying at hotels that offer alcohol-free beverage options, and more than 40 per cent of travellers say want to book a detox trip in 2024.
- Affordable luxury: Travellers are expected to balance their desire for lavish vacations with financial restraints in 2024. The Booking.com survey reveals that almost half of the holidayers will travel during the off-season, even if it means their children miss school for a few days. Moreover, since it’s more convenient to pay for vacations in instalments, around half of the vacationers’ plan to use credit cards and 39 percent of pet parents would bring their pets along to save on pet-sitting costs.The ‘dupe trend’ will make its way to the travel space in 2024, where people will hunt for destination dupes of popular but expensive locations to cut down costs. For instance, instead of going to Seoul, people plan to travel to Taipei or Pattaya, Expedia said.
- Eco-travel: With heat waves, rapid glacier melting, and wildfires dominating the media, people have become more aware of the impending climate crisis. Travellers are opting for eco-aware travel and accommodations that prioritise sustainability, including hotels with less single-use plastic, kitchen gardens, and plans to be in peace with nature or conserve forests. About 53 per cent will search for accommodations that emphasise innovation in sustainability. Three out of every five tourists want to witness sustainability in action, and 65 per cent prefer to visit locations with green landscapes.
