Experts share five travel trends that are set to dominate in 2024

According to data published by UNWTO (United Nations World Travel Organisation), international tourism has almost completely recovered from the unprecedented crisis of Covid-19. If 2023 was the year when travel recovered to pre-pandemic levels across the globe, those numbers are set to surpass in 2024.

In times when a carefully designed social media campaign can boost a destination overnight, the preferences and appetites of travellers keep on evolving. Cultural exploration, minding the aesthetic, rebooting in nature, and much more will take centre stage this year as travel ceases to become an escape but reflective of our lives. Industry experts outline five trends that are gaining traction and are set to dominate the tourism landscape in 2024.

Culinary exploration
As per the ‘Travel Trends: Redefining value through experience in 2024' report published by Skyscanner, 59 per cent of Indian travellers booked a destination purely based on a restaurant they wanted to visit. Osaka, renowned as ‘the kitchen of Japan' and home to the fourth most Michelin stars, claims the top spot on Skyscanner's global list for foodies on a budget in 2024 and is also one of the top trending destinations amongst Indian travellers.

Mohit Joshi, travel and destination expert at Skyscanner, elaborates, "In 2024, travellers are expected to choose destinations based on specific restaurants, with 59 per cent admitting to booking a trip solely for this purpose. With Indians being inherent foodies, authentic culinary experiences are set to become a focal point of travel, with 38 per cent of Indian travellers wanting to try the local cuisine as a top priority while travelling abroad. Notably, the culinary landscape is also evolving with the rise of great-value eateries in various cities, making the foodie dream an attainable reality for Indian travellers."

Gig tripping
Another interesting insight the report offers is that one-third of Indians (37 per cent) travellers would fly short-haul to see their favourite performers. This interest is not limited to domestic as a whopping 79 per cent would also consider attending a concert overseas if it would be cheaper. This is indicative of the priority of Indian travellers which is seeking diverse cultural experiences, as travel behaviour is shifting towards 'being in the moment'.

"Travellers have progressed from ‘revenge travel' to ‘passion travel', and we are seeing a further evolution of ‘passion travel' to ‘pursuits travel', where travellers have a checklist - or even a bucket list in mind. The value of experiences will fuel a range of travel trends for 2024, as travellers are letting culture drive their decision-making. We're seeing a broad spectrum of cultural curiosity in travel, including gig trippers jetting off to see their favourite artists. We see travellers willing to go the distance to see live performances, with one-third (37 per cent) of Indian travellers expressing a strong inclination to fly short haul for musical gigs and a whopping 79 per cent considering travelling abroad if it would help them save money," shares Joshi.

Mindful aesthetics
Indian travellers (81 per cent) want to see sustainability in practice and wish to bring nature indoors in their vacation accommodations, as per the ‘Travel Predictions 2024' research commissioned by Booking.com. Fuelled by the media, our inclination towards aesthetics and sustainability continues to grow, resulting in our holidays becoming even more curated. These two unique preferences are no longer reserved for the elite as accommodations across the globe strive to find creative ways to marry sustainability and design.

The Booking.com research further reinstates the central role of mindful aesthetics in reshaping travel for the future as it mentions that Indian travellers embrace technology to curate sustainable itineraries that grant exclusive access to the very places they contribute to preserving. A great number of them are drawn to sustainable travel applications (83 per cent), where they can unlock rewards such as unique experiences with locals in off-the-beaten-path areas (58 per cent), and the opportunity to explore remote locations typically beyond the reach of tourists (55 per cent).

Reboot retreaters
In times marked by global instability, 2024 heralds the rise of reboot retreaters. These travellers seek journeys dedicated to self-improvement, and a path leading them back to the life they truly desire. The ‘Travel Predictions 2024' research suggests that over half of Indian travellers (68 per cent) are drawn to the agrarian and indigenous lifestyle, seeking self-sufficiency and harmony with nature. Surprisingly, 59 per cent of Indian travellers are inclined to carve out time for a matchmaking holiday, to find a spark with a new partner. In the opposite case too, 53 per cent of travellers opt for heartbreak holidays, providing the healing space needed to overcome past relationships.

Santosh Kumar, country manager India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia at Booking.com poses, "Travellers are becoming more discerning than ever and leaning towards decisions that will have a beneficial long-term impact. Accommodations and apps that are aligned with the goals of sustainability resonate better with them. Along with sustainability, off-beat immersive experiences are also gaining momentum due to the chance they offer to reset and rediscover oneself which is reflected in

Local spotlight
Recently released ‘New Horizons List' by Agoda lists the top five emerging destinations in India. The year-on-year search data has highlighted the destinations that have marked growth in traveller interest. A curious development is that while Ahmedabad has led the way, it is followed by Kodaikanal, Mahabaleshwar, Ooty, and Kochi. Although these cities have never been off-limits, they haven't topped bucket lists in India. This reflects a growing interest among Indians to experience local culture and heritage.

Krishna Rathi, country director India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives at Agoda shared, "In the recent past, metros and Tier 1 cities have dominated travel trends. While these continue to top the charts, our New Horizons list highlights increased interest in tourist spots like Ahmedabad, Kodaikanal, Mahabaleshwar, Ooty, and Kochi. This reveals a growing preference among travellers for destinations known for their cultural richness. It also goes to show that India's appetite for travel is ever-evolving and travellers today are focused on exploring the nature, rich heritage, and vibrant culture that destinations have to offer."