Biggest travel trends for 2024

• Destination “dupes”
• Gig-tripping
• “Main character travel”
• Budget luxe foodies
• Sleep tourism
• No-tech travels
• Celebration vacations

1. Destination “dupes”

With inflation at a record high and the rising cost of living affecting every aspect of our lives, travel took a bit of a back seat in recent years.

Immediately post-pandemic, everyone was eager to go out and experience the world no matter the cost, but now that a new version of normality has resumed, a lot of people are being mindful of their spending.

Most travelers, aside from the luxe ones, carefully consider their budgets when it comes to their choice of destination. Most commonly, travelers are turning their attention to less-costly cities that are similar to their more pricey counterparts. This has prompted a new travel trend that has been dubbed “dupe cities.” 

Currently, the most popular destination is Taipei, which travelers are considering the “dupe” for Seoul, while Pattaya, the replacement for Bangkok, came in a close second. 

Discover Taipei, the thrifty traveler’s Seoul, where the skyline sparkles with opportunity and the night hums with the promise of adventure.
Photo: AaronChenPS2 / Shutterstock.com

2. Gig-tripping

Gig-tripping is undoubtedly one of the biggest travel trends we’ll see in 2024! Given that mega superstars like Beyonce and Taylor Swift have been instrumental in boosting the global economy in the past year with their sold-out world tours, many people have felt compelled to travel thousands of miles to catch their shows.

Feel the thrill of “Gig-tripping”, joining the wave of fans globe-trotting for the live beat of their favorite superstars. From local gigs to international stages, the journey for music knows no bounds.
Photo: wavebreakmedia/ Shutterstock.com

Gig-tripping is becoming so increasingly popular that 44% of US travelers have reported they’re willing to go on a short trip to see their favorite star in action, and over 60% of them have said they’d fly overseas for their shows.

Start planning your clients’ gig-tripping packages as soon as possible and prepare for Taylor to continue her tour in Europe. There are whole hordes of superfans who can’t wait to make their bookings!

It would also be helpful to keep an eye out for more big stars announcing their upcoming tours in the following year.

3. “Main character travel”

In 2020, when everyone was shelled up in their rooms, binging all the Netflix shows their hearts desired, many of us fell in love with one specific show — “Emily in Paris.” Love it or hate it, you can’t deny the wanderlust you felt while watching the charming streets of the City of Love — the show almost made you feel like you were there. With that in mind, when it was possible to travel again, a lot of eager fans couldn’t wait to visit the city and become Emily herself. 

Step into the scene with “Main Character Travel,” where you live out your favorite show’s storyline, walking the very streets that once felt a world away.
Photo:  freepik.com.

This effect has prompted the birth of “Main Character Travel,” a trend that is still going strong even 3 years later.

Skyscanner has reported that almost 80% of travelers are likely to visit a destination they’ve seen on the big or small screen, some even going to the extent of booking the hotel where the show or movie was shot.

In addition to accommodation, these main character travelers are more likely to visit the sights and places in the shows, too. This gives travelers more than enough opportunities to live out ready-to-go itineraries that will make them feel like a true main character!

4. Budget luxe foodies

Travel and dining always go hand-in-hand. Year after year, travelers embark on culinary adventures, booking trips solely to experience the delicacies of far-flung locations. In fact, over 47% of US travelers are jetting off just to visit a popular restaurant.

Savor the flavors of the world with “Budget luxe foodies”, where gastronomy meets affordability, indulging in the local zest without the hefty price.
Photo: stockphoto mania/ Shutterstock.com

However, this year, there seems to be a catch. Although foodies are still eager to scope out new destinations and sample local delicacies, their budget for dining out has been significantly cut. Travelers have started looking into destinations where they can taste something new for a much lower price instead of  venturing to those places with expensive world-famous restaurants. This is also loosely connected to the “dupes” trend, as dining out costs tend to be lower in less popular locations, and these places also boast off-the-beaten-path street food stalls that promise to satiate the hunger of even the best-traveled foodies.

You can elevate these travelers’ experiences with the best recommendations that fit their budget, allow them to relish rare culinary delights, and not have them compromise on food quality!

5. Set-jetting

While TV shows have greatly impacted the emergence of “Main Character Travel,” they are responsible for yet another trend that will dominate 2024 — set-jetting. People have been glued to their TVs for the last couple of years, and what they see on them has greatly influenced their lifestyles, traveling habits included. While the main characters are looking for the most popular destinations where they can experience a world of luxuries, set-jetters have a more humble approach and are more open to unique ideas.

Discover the enchanting Bucharest Botanical Garden, as seen in the show “Wednesday”, a verdant paradise sprawling over 18 hectares and home to more than 10,000 plant species.
Photo: Adriana Iacob/Shutterstock.com

Namely, the hit show “Wednesday” has enticed travelers to check out the intricacies of Romania and all of its mysterious history. Others looking for an escape from their day-to-day responsibilities have been looking into Hawaii and Taormina, two locations that have been featured in “The White Lotus.”

Speaking of which, now that the show’s new season is just around the corner, expect an influx of travelers booking their next trip to Thailand as the shoots are scheduled there.

6. No-tech travels

The device you’re reading this on sure gets a little too much sometimes, doesn’t it? It’s no surprise that the digital world has impacted our lives, especially when it comes to our mental health, thus leaving many travelers driven to book retreats where they can completely disconnect and be present in the moment.

Many US citizens have reported that it’s impossible to “shut off” as their daily habits require them to spend a lot of time on their devices; this means that they are always on the lookout for experiences where they can minimize their usage.

Unwind in the silence of the sunset with no-tech travel, where serenity meets the horizon, and presence is the only connection you need.
Photo: Maridav /Shutterstock.com

With that, it’s expected that many travelers are considering wellness retreats and spa resorts in distant locations, as far away from the city clamor as possible.

By connecting with nature and the “new world,” travel is again able to become a nostalgic experience for many.

And since the digital world is constantly evolving, this trend is expected to grow exponentially in the following years.

7. Celebration vacations

Finally, celebration vacations are the last travel trend that’s about to make a big boom in 2024. Since many did their fair share of partying once the lockdown restrictions were lifted, celebrations are becoming more meaningful now, with a lot of people choosing to commemorate them in special destinations.

Be it birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, or divorce parties, travelers are becoming more open to the idea of celebrating their joyous occasions somewhere far away from home.

Canada, Mexico, and Spain are considered the most popular choices, so you can expect many groups to organize their next big milestones there.

Join the glow of celebration vacations, where every sparkler ignites a story and every destination amplifies the joy of life’s milestones.
Photo: DisobeyArt /Shutterstock.com

Simply put, if you strive for professionalism and quality with each booking, you can never go wrong with RateHawk!

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