Top travel trends in 2024

As we enter 2024, let’s look into the trends that will shape the travel industry this year: 

Unique experiences

Let’s face it. We lost two years to the pandemic. This means that for two years, people were not able to travel and explore the world. In 2023, we have seen an increased demand for travel, and this trend is going to continue into 2024. In fact, a recent article by Skyscanner indicates that “85% of US travelers plan to take the same number, if not more, trips abroad in 2024, compared to 2023.”

Not only that, people are no longer interested in just visiting a city and seeing the main tourist attractions. They are seeking truly unique experiences that allow them to see the hidden gems of the city or a country. This can take shape and form in various ways. Perhaps they are foodies and are looking into authentic cuisine in a specific region. Or perhaps they love wine. Italy could be a wonderful place as it allows tourists to experience the vibe of a larger city such as Naples and allows them to venture out into more rural areas with wine stops on the way. An inspiration can be a trip from Naples to Ravello, making a stop along the way at Cantina del Vesuvio, which is a renowned regional winery. The best part is that if you are going to make such a trip and stop at a winery, you can book a private car transfer, which means that you can enjoy as much wine as you want because your private driver will take care of your transfer to your final destination.

Ravello, perched high above the Amalfi Coast, is famous for its stunning views and historic villas taken by Jordi Vich Navarro

Rising demand for private transportation

The pandemic changed how we behave in public. Many of us would never think about wearing a mask in public (even when we had a cold). Now, even with the pandemic officially over, many of us are still wearing masks when going to supermarkets. And many people are still wearing masks on a plane to ensure they do not get sick while getting to their destination. As such, booking a private transfer allows travelers a bit of ease because they can travel either alone or with a group of family or friends, meaning that they already know the health conditions of their fellow travelers. 

What we are also seeing is that people are now more willing to book private transportation when traveling abroad because it gives them a sense of physical safety. Private transfers are great for when you are traveling alone, especially if you are booking with a service that vets the drivers for safety and ensures that you will be able to communicate with them in English. For instance, Daytrip screens its drivers for criminal and traffic records, interviews each of them, and inspects their cars for safety, comfort, and reliability.

Daytrip provides private point-to-point car transportation worldwide

The rise of “dupes”

Many countries are experiencing issues with overtourism. This essentially means that popular cities are getting an excessive amount of tourists, which can have negative effects on the city and the lives of the locals. Due to this phenomenon, we are seeing that certain cities and countries are starting to implement local rules to deal with this issue. For instance, Venice is set to introduce a daily fee for visitors, and other countries are introducing various visa restrictions for incoming tourists. 

As such, tourists might be looking for alternatives (dupes) to popular destinations that will evoke a similar feeling/atmosphere. For instance, instead of going to Paris, people might choose to travel to Reims (also in France). Bruges in Belgium might serve as a good alternative to Venice. 

Bruges is often referred to as the "Venice of the North" due to its extensive network of canals through the eyes of Kamilla

Gig traveling 

Taylor Swift’s concerts, especially during her Eras Tour, attract fans from all over the world captured by Chaz McGregor

Hardcore fans love to follow their favorite artists/music bands around the world and visit their concerts in different cities. As we enter 2024, gig travel might be a big thing in Europe because Taylor Swift is bringing her world tour into some European capitals. Taylor Swift’s American tour in 2023 was a major driver for the American economy (and the “Taylor Swift Effect” became a term on its own), and it is expected that the same will happen as she brings her concerts to Europe. According to a CNN Travel article, “Hotels in cities visited by the tour are reporting breaking occupancy records, even at higher rates due to surging demand. Many are also incorporating unique Swift-centric promotions, events, and activations to entice fans further.” 

Tickets for Taylor’s concert were sold through a lottery system on Ticketmaster, and lovers of Taylor’s music were willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a single ticket. As the concerts are not happening in every European country, many concertgoers will have to travel from one country to another to be able to see the international star perform. Flying to the destination is one option, but tickets must be purchased well in advance to avoid even higher expenses. Traveling with public transportation (train or bus) is another option. The third option is getting a group of fellow Taylor fans and booking a private city-to-city car transfer, which can be confirmed if booked up to 36 hours before departure.