2024 Travel Trends From Expedia, Vrbo and Hotels.com

Celebrating a promotion by going out to dinner is so 2023, according to Expedia’s annual Unpack report of travel trends for the coming year. The report, compiled using data from Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo, found that people are commemorating big life events by taking trips rather than saving their jet-setting for traditional vacations. And the pandemic wanderlust hasn't abated—one-third of respondents plan to take more trips in 2024. Interestingly, some of our pandemic habits have stuck, with travelers prioritizing outdoor amenities. Budget-conscious travelers are also opting for "dupe destinations," rather than staying home. These are some of the travel trends to watch in 2024. 'Set-jetting' still flying high Travelers are finding inspiration in the locations of their favorite TV shows and movies, a trend that’s carried over from 2023. More than half of travelers surveyed by Expedia say they’ve researched or booked a trip to a destination after seeing it on a television series or feature film—in fact, TV shows influence travel decisions more than Instagram and TikTok. The 10 Most Watchable TV Shows of 2023 Among the destinations enjoying a boost in popularity from the set-jetting crowd are Thailand and Romania (The White Lotus), Malta (Wednesday), South Korea (Squid Game), the Florida Keys (Bad Monkey) and Australia (Furiosa). Dupes, but make it travel Younger people are looking for that luxury feeling without the price tag. TikTok has elevated “dupes” to star status, and that’s becoming a trend in destinations too. According to Expedia, 30% of travelers have booked a dupe. Besides savings, a dupe destination can be less crowded and offer different experiences than its touristy counterpart. These trending alternative destinations all saw a jump in searches (based on global flight data) over 2023, with the top 5 more than doubling year over year. Rounding out the list are Liverpool (London), Palermo (Lisbon), Québec City (Geneva), Sapporo (Zermatt) and Memphis (Nashville). New reasons to travel People are increasingly traveling for reasons other than purely for the sake of visiting a new place. Concert tourism: After concert tourism reached new heights in 2023, with two of the biggest names in music—Taylor Swift and Beyoncé—commanding sold-out arenas worldwide, Expedia sees an encore in 2024. Nearly 70% of travelers are up for exploring beyond their hometowns to see a favorite act. Of those, 40% would travel for a concert as an excuse to visit a new place. Artists going on tour in 2024 include Coldplay, Metallica, Olivia Rodrigo and the Foo Fighters. Zero-proof holidays: Staying sober is not just for January and October, with nearly half of respondents planning to book a detox trip in the coming year. An equal number are interested in alcohol-free options at their hotels. Go-ccasions: According to Vrbo search data, people are celebrating special occasions not by going out to dinner but taking a trip. Besides bachelorette weekends and reunions, “puppymoons” and “first date-iversaries” are trending, along with trips to celebrate new jobs and promotions. Where they’ll be staying Outdoor amenities: We all got used to making the most of the great outdoors during the pandemic, and it’s looking like travelers want to stay there in 2024. Vrbo data shows that 42% of travelers book vacation homes with outdoor amenities they don’t have at home, such as saunas and padel courts, roof terraces and fire pits. A whopping 30% of people want these amenities so they don’t have to leave their home-away-from-home at all. Mills, barns and farms: Vrbo’s three trending property types for 2024 are all about letting travelers live the country life, with fresh produce and animal interaction. Converted mills saw a 47% increase over last year, while barns and farmhouses saw 21% and 42% jumps, respectively. Riads and ryokans: Travelers want to live like the locals and are looking for immersive experiences in their accommodations. Hotels.com saw a more than 125% jump in searches for ryokans (Japanese inns) and riads, which are traditional Moroccan homes. Good vibes: Hotels are increasingly expected to set the mood of a trip. Hotels.com reviews with the word “vibe” saw a 1,090% jump over last year, and more than 90% of respondents in Expedia’s report said it’s an important factor. Among the trending vibes are “modern beach,” “artsy hip,” “retro historic” and “industrial.” Taika Waititi Definitely (Maybe) Stars in New Zealand Travel Ad

Data Points

The Travel Trends You Need to Know for 2024

Expedia's Unpack report highlights 'set-jetting,' unique properties, outdoor amenities

Eva Kis

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Eva Kis