Different companies like Seabourn, the ultra-luxury cruise line, and South American tour operators like Kuoda Travel, to a&o Hostels, the largest hostel brand in the world, and more share  Travel predictions for 2024 

Expedition Travel
Expeditions are taking the ultra-luxury travel sector by storm, with travelers vying to experience the unique, untouched wonders of the world and pushing the boundaries of luxury hospitality (via Virtuoso). As a result, nature-based travel has become a top priority, led by researchers and guides, and gone are the days of traveling to the top tourist destinations. Luxury expedition voyages are becoming a top way for travelers to make memories together in the new year.

New Luxury Expedition Ships + a Demand in Itineraries to Antarctica: Antarctica has moved to the top of travel bucket lists for 2024. In response to this popularity, Seabourn Pursuit, Seabourn’s newest ultra-luxury expedition ship, kicked off its inaugural season to Antarctica this month. In addition to the personalized service and ultra-luxury amenities that Seabourn is renowned for, the purpose-built expedition ship will offer exclusive activities including: two custom-built submarines designed to open guests’ eyes to natural wonders under the sea, 24 Zodiacs, complement of kayaks and an onboard 24-person Expedition Team that includes world-renowned scientists, historians, and naturalists that will regularly interact with guests, providing keen insight to deliver a rich holistic travel experience with expert insight on wildlife, geography and more.

Science-Based Expedition Experiences to the Galapagos are On The Rise: Travelers want to immerse themselves in destinations that are off-the-beaten path and truly learn about natural wonders, so luxury travel experiences like the trips that Kuoda Travel a luxury travel company in South America, offers are very appealing to travellers looking to explore and learn more about the world we live in. The Galapagos Islands, which are home to some of the highest levels of endemism and species found nowhere else on the Earth, is a perfect example of this. Here, travellers can get up close with wildlife and snorkel through hordes of sea lions, hammerhead sharks, sea turtles, and marine iguanas, as well as spot lava gulls, flamingos, crabs, and more on land with knowledgeable guides.

Slow Travel
According to multiple travel agencies and a study by Hidden Scotland, 74% of people like the idea of living like a local when they’re in a new destination and 78% enjoy the journey just as much as the destination when holidaying. Often, we feel compelled to rush through our travels, trying to check off attractions and experiences from our lists to make the most of our trips. However, this growing preference for staying longer and exploring deep into a destination versus traveling fast, far, and wide signifies the rising prominence of ‘slow travel’.

Jamaica Sees a Bump in Travelers, especially with the Number of Nature-Driven and Itinerary-Free Experiences: As this trend continues to gain momentum heading into 2024, Montego Bay, Jamaica is an ideal destination for the ‘slow travel’ philosophy of unwinding, slowing down, and embarking on diverse experiences at your own pace. In fact, Jamaica is expected to hit record visitor numbers this year – and the slow travel trend might be helping to drive it. Properties like The Tryall Club, , a luxury resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, is already seeing a demand for this type of travel from their guests and offer many experiences so travellers can indulge in the laid-back lifestyle, including tranquil routes that nurture mindfulness like our private hike through our property, excursions to neighbouring communities like Lethe Village, itinerary free-experience such as relaxing by the pool and beach, and more.

“Off the Beaten Path” Properties at Top Destinations like Santorini: Travelers are continuing to book at popular destinations like Santorini, but purposely choosing a property off the beaten path for a true ‘together but separate’ getaway where they can take their time and move at their own pace. Santo Pure is located in Oia, which is arguably the most desired town in Santorini and often bustling with visitors, but it’s just far enough away from the city to offer incredible unobstructed vistas, local cuisine without the wait, and luxurious suites in complete privacy. Travelers are taking advantage of their offerings at their own pace, whether it’s attending a morning yoga class before lounging all day at one of our six pools or booking a last-minute spa treatment together after a private guided sunrise hike.

Connecting with Local Communities in Destinations Rich with Culture: As more people are looking to travel in a culturally conscious way to help preserve indigenous communities, more travelers will be turning to authentic and sustainable travel that is led by the “slow travel” philosophy. When travelers aren’t rushing through a checklist of places they want to see, they can truly connect with local communities and broaden their cultural horizons. Destinations rich with cultural tourism, such as Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and other South American countries, are great destinations for these experiences – especially when traveling with expert, sustainability-conscious companies like Kuoda Travel.

Regenerative Travel
With over 76% of travelers indicating that they want to travel more sustainably over the coming 12 months (via Booking.com), it is evident that tourists have made traveling responsibly a top priority when booking trips. Enter regenerative travel— travel that aims to give back to both planet and people. Regenerative travel goes beyond traveling sustainably as it prioritizes not only the protection and preservation of natural environments and local ecosystems, but also plays an active role in the regeneration of them.

Companies are Prioritizing Holistic Programs to Support Local Destinations: Sustainability has been a trend in travel for the past few years, but travelers are taking it a step further by choosing brands that give back and contribute to the destinations they visit rather than just try to minimize their impact. At Kuoda Travel, we do just that. In addition to creating programs such as violin lessons with locally handcrafted instruments made from locally recycled materials, establishing over 47 computer centers to promote computer literacy across the Andean region, (and much more!), we continually offer educational and impactful programs through the our heart and soul project, the Kaypi Kunan Association.Therefore, by traveling with Kuoda Travel, travelers can be proud of the fact that they are actively supporting improvements in the lives and livelihoods of those living in the places they visit.

More Travel Companies are Committing to Going Net Zero: Having just published their first sustainability report last month, a&o Hostels is fully transparent about their regenerative travel practices and has taken numerous steps to reach their goal of becoming the first net-zero hostel chain in Europe by 2025. To reach this goal, a&o has taken action by implementing sustainable practices throughout their operations. Examples include installing photovoltaic systems, using cleaning supplies without chemicals, housing Ukranian refugees during the war, sourcing local products and buying green electricity and — where possible — the switch from gas to district heating.

Professionalization of the Short-Term Rental Industry
Travelers are becoming more discerning and are looking for accommodations that offer a high level of professionalism, cleanliness, and convenience. As the short-term rental market matures, the demand for well-managed and professionally maintained properties will continue to rise.

Luxury Rental Brand onefinestay Pioneers the Way for Professionalization: With a product like onefinestay the luxury rental brand, guests can expect the best of both worlds: the privacy and localization of a home, combined with the sophistication and professionalism of a luxury hotel or resort. onefinestay continues to lead in this evolving this space, ensuring consistency for even for the most discerning travelers. The brand places a strong emphasis on offering homes in the “best of the best” locations as well as attention to personalization. Not only is each stay professionally managed and includes an in-person meet and greet when guests arrive, but the 24/7 concierge team can arrange unmissable experiences, such as private ski lessons with Olympic champions or heli-skiing adventures for their chalet stays or private yacht-charters and private chefs in their Caribbean villas.

The Continued Rise of Pickleball
While the pickleball trend has been gaining momentum in travel over the past few years, the sport’s popularity doesn’t seem to be going away – and is now becoming a “must have” travel amenity on properties.

Pickleball Sees a 50% Increase in Popularity: From 2022 to 2023, The Travel Club has seen a 50 percent increase in the use of the pickleball courts. Additionally, they added a fourth court this year due to the popularity. Due to the increasing demand for the sport, they’ve had 25 to 50 booking inquires in the last 9 months.  This popularity of the sport inspired them to create the “Pickleball Concierge”, which brings an additional level of excitement to the sport and to our guests. The concierge arranges for all the equipment needed to be dropped off at guests’ villas, arranges private coaching sessions, and coordinates with a chef to prepare a post-game recovery meal.