From culinary holidays to a rise in mindful aesthetics, industry experts outline trends that will shape how Indians travel in 2024
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- 59 per cent of Indians booked a destination based on a restaurant they wished to visit
- One-third of Indians travellers would fly short-haul to see their favourite performers
- In times marked by global instability, 2024 heralds the rise of reboot retreaters
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’.
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