We love a great trend report, and we’ve undertaken a few of them as 2024 dawns, including fitness, wellness and health trends for the new year. In this post we turn an eye to the horizon and share what we’ve learned about the top travel trends of 2024.
7 Top Trends in Luxury Travel for 2024
1. paris olympics luxury packages
We’ll take any excuse to go to Paris, and this year there’s an epic one: the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Rumor has it that the Opening Ceremony for the Games will take place along the Seine, with athletes “parading” in on barges. On Location’s Paris 2024 packages offer lots of ways to experience the Paris Games. For example, the Explore Package includes a six-night visit to Paris, with tickets to the Opening Ceremony, rugby sevens, tennis, gymnastics, and swimming events. Plus a Champagne toast at the Eiffel Tower, a personalized city guide, accommodations at Hôtel Bel Ami, and a dedicated, on-call concierge team.
2. peak northern lights
For 2024, scientists are predicting the best displays of the Northern Lights in 20 years. It’s because we’re approaching the next “solar maximum” (the sun’s peak of its 11-year activity cycle). Book those tix to Lapland or Iceland now!
3. “set-jetting”
Expedia’s forecast for top travel trends in 2024 includes a holdover from 2023: the phenomenon of “set-jetting.” That is, researching or booking a trip to a destination after seeing it in a television show or movie. From Wednesday to Emily in Paris – and of course White Lotus – see the show, and then live the dream.
4. new discoveries and “dupe” destinations
American Express Travel predicts that travelers will continue to explore the outer boundaries of leisure travel, in a quest to visit undiscovered gems around the world. Add that to the continuation of finding “dupes” – a less expensive alternative to a traditional, iconic destination – and you may have Venice all to yourself this year. As if. Still, there are some cool alternatives to the pricey usual suspects. Think San Miguel de Allende instead of the Mayan Riviera. Bodrum, Turkey as an alternative to Istanbul. Or Taipei, Taiwan instead of Seoul.
5. tasty train station food
Conde Nast Traveler predicts that more and more train stations will double as gourmet food halls. We have long loved the dining options at Union Station in Washington, DC. However, the trend seems to be accelerating. “In 2023, Moynihan Train Hall in New York became home to The Irish Exit, a bar from the team behind the acclaimed Dead Rabbit. Yono Sushi, Pastrami Queen and Jacob’s Pickles have also opened outposts there, with Mexican hotspot La Esquina coming soon. As part of its recent renovation, Toronto’s Union Station launched Union Market with favorite local food retailers. Platform 1, a new bar and restaurant, opened in November underneath Glasgow Central Station. Next up? Amtrak’s 30th Street Station in Philadelphia.”
6. temperate summer travel
Conde Nast Traveler also notes that after a sweltering summer in Europe, luxury travelers are looking North. 2023 was the hottest year on record. So perhaps reconsider that summer jaunt to the South of France or Santorini. Virtuoso found that 82% of its clients are considering destinations with more moderate weather in 2024, among them Iceland, Finland, Scotland and Latvia.
7. shhh!: silent travel and sleep tourism
Finally, we’re excited to note that Conde Nast Traveler predicts that silent travel will be on the upswing in luxury travel in 2024. Silent meditation retreats, nature resorts, sleep retreats, quiet hotels, silent walking tours and even silent disco and concert experiences. What greater luxury than silence, after the cacophony of daily life – especially in an election year! Sign us up.
