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While 2022 saw the world only just returning to travel after the pandemic, 2023 has taken it further than ever before. According to Condé Nast Traveler, in 2024 travelers will be more selective about their destinations, leisurely enjoying the stars, indulging in culinary delights in new places, and immersing themselves in wellness activities... Below are 7 travel trends that will dominate in 2024.
1. Exploring the Universe
Today, as society becomes increasingly immersed in the virtual world, many people seek to broaden their horizons in the real universe. Space tourism is a journey to observe astronomical phenomena, stars, planets, and constellations in the sky.
Many places around the world are embracing this trend to cater to tourists who are passionate about exploring space.
Wellness-focused hotels and spas are creating spaces where guests can observe constellations and contemplate astronomical phenomena. East on the Arabian Gulf, Zulal Wellness Resort is a destination for astronomy workshops and stargazing activities for families and children who want to learn more about the universe.
2. Eco-diving
Today, many divers choose their diving destinations based on the sustainability of the dive centers and their positive, regenerative impact on the ocean, rather than just conventional scuba diving.
Currently, there are 100 operators recognized by PADI, and that number is expected to continue to grow. This is good news for tourists who want to go scuba diving.
The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) has launched "Eco Center Accreditation" in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme and Reef-World for divers wishing to participate in eco-diving. Currently, 100 diving operators have been accredited, and PADI aims to reach 660 by 2030 (one-tenth of the organization's target membership number). Therefore, eco-diving could become widespread from 2024 onwards.
3. Home swapping
The rise of remote work means that working and living abroad is becoming increasingly attractive to many people. The perfect solution for having flexible accommodation while minimizing travel costs is "home swapping".
Home-swapping is the future travel trend for many people who work online.
Home swapping has existed for decades, but some intriguing new platforms are redefining the practice. For an annual subscription fee of around $189, members on Twincityglobal can find users to connect with through the platform. On this platform, users are encouraged to exchange local listings for the city as well as their homes, making members feel as though they are exchanging housing with someone with reliable information.
4. Traveling at train stations
In an effort to create a more dynamic experience for travelers, train stations are being renovated to accommodate more visitors. This is making them increasingly popular destinations this year. The surrounding infrastructure in cities is also being upgraded to attract more tourists.
Union Station in Toronto has been renovated and upgraded, with the addition of Union Market to serve travelers.
In May 2023, Toronto's Union Station launched Union Market with popular local food retailers Manotas Organics, Chocolatta Brigadeiro's, Patties Express, and Kibo.
5. Sports tourism
Sports fan communities plan trips centered around watching games, races, and other activities in unfamiliar locations, as well as a trend of extending trips on both sides to explore the destination.
The Olympic and Paralympic Games, part of the 2024 sporting calendar, will begin in Paris in late July and run until early September, during which time more than a million tourists are expected to register across the French capital. Events such as the €1.4 billion Seine River cleanup project will allow the public to swim in the river for the first time in a century.
6. Music tourism
Rock stars are the new "stars" of the tourism industry. It could be called the "Taylor Swift effect." According to Janel Carnero, a travel consultant at Embark Beyond, concert business at destinations has increased by over 50%, largely driven by Taylor Swift. In the US, tickets to Swift's Eras Tour cost thousands of dollars and were still difficult to obtain. Tours featuring artists like Pearl Jam, U2, Doja Cat, and Madonna solidify travel itineraries.
Many tourists are willing to pay for concert trips abroad.
While music festivals, like Glastonbury, sell out in less than an hour and will be a major catalyst for tourism, Alexandrea Padilha of Fischer Travel says newer music festivals, including Untold in Romania's Cluj-Napoca, are introducing travelers to less popular destinations. Hotels and travel companies have taken notice and are creating equivalent VIP experiences backstage for guests.
7. Travel for body, mind, and spirit
Now, science aimed at extending lifespan and optimizing health has become a central focus in hotels. Blue Zone retreats are new training programs, and the latest "biohacking" methods are being incorporated into accommodations around the world.
Ozone therapy and hyperbaric oxygen chambers are now available at Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary.
Since the pandemic, comfort and well-being—the mental state—have outweighed the glamorous appearance. “People have become acutely aware of the particular importance of developing a more proactive, preventative approach to health at all levels,” says Karina Stewart, co-founder of Kamalaya, a wellness facility in Koh Samui, Thailand. Beyond diet and exercise, they also offer bio-regenerative treatments that sound science fiction, such as ozone therapy and hyperbaric oxygen chambers, both of which are available at Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary’s new “Longevity House.”
