Travel is ever-evolving, and that’s what keeps us — and you — on our toes. Every year, we find new stays, experiences, and guides that give us renewed joy for exploring the world. And the next year will be no different. So, we’re looking ahead to give you an insight into which trends might shape and inspire your trips in 2024.
Together with our country specialists, trusted hotel partners, and expert guides, we’ve outlined the five top trends we expect to see in the coming year, as well as a selection of destinations that are leading the way.
1. Regenerative travel is on the rise
More than simply being eco-friendly, regenerative travel is about helping to strengthen the destination as a whole, supporting not only its environment, but the economy and its people, too. The good news is, we’re finding more and more responsible travel options that we can weave into your trips, helping to enhance your experience while leaving behind a positive impact.
Our recommended destinations
Morocco
Tourism is a vital part of Morocco’s economy, particularly after the impacts of September’s earthquake, and the Moroccan people have been warmly welcoming visitors back ever since. We especially recommend visiting an Amazigh village in the High Atlas Mountains where you’ll learn how to make an aromatic tagine with a local family while learning about their way of life — not only a rewarding experience for you, but also a way to help support this rural community.
- Get me there: Take inspiration from our Marrakesh and High Atlas Mountains trip to immerse yourself in the frenetic souqs and remote villages of Morocco.
The Maldives
The idyllic waters surrounding the Maldives shelter coral reefs swarming with rainbow-hued fish and other tropical sea life. Sitting on a private island in the turquoise shallows of the North Malé Atoll, Huvafen Fushi is an intimate resort where snorkeling and diving during your stay is a given, but conservation might also be on your agenda. Together with marine environmental scientists, you can contribute to a project dedicated to growing and preserving the house reef, adopting your own coral to help it flourish for years to come.
- Get me there: You could enjoy some rest and relaxation in the North Malé Atoll after exploring the highlights of India’s Golden Triangle using our trip idea as inspiration.
2. People are switching up their travel wish lists
From the Inca Trail to cherry blossoms in Japan, there’s a collection of classic travel experiences that everyone’s heard of. And while they merit their lofty status, these destinations attract a huge number of people every year. As a result, discerning travellers are looking at alternative experiences with fewer crowds, moving less-visited — but equally deserving — destinations up their travel wish lists.
Our recommended destinations
Japan
For thousands of years, pilgrims have walked through sacred mountains to holy places nestled high in the peaks. Today, the Inca Trail is perhaps the best-known example, but may we suggest Japan’s Kumano Kodo as a less-visited alternative? A gateway to the Buddhist celestial paradises, the mountainous Kumano district is home to a series of pilgrimage trails that wind through the area’s three Grand Shrines, which you can explore on a hike that takes you deep in Japan’s spiritual practices.
- Get me there: You can add three or four days to our suggested Cities of Japan itinerary if you’d like to hike Kumano Kodo.
India
The word ‘safari’ conjures images of the Serengeti for a good reason — it’s truly a spectacular sight. However, there are other, equally excellent destinations where you can see wildlife in action. India’s many national parks, for example. You might look for sleek tigers stalking through the dappled forests of Ranthambhore, Asiatic lions sunning themselves in Gujarat, or (if you’re very lucky) elusive leopards lounging in the trees of Satpura.
- Get me there: For your first visit to India, Ranthambhore is an excellent option when paired with the Golden Triangle. On a wildlife trip to Gujarat, you might glimpse lions, as well as blackbuck, wolves, hyenas, sloth bears, and jackals.
3. Indigenous cultural experiences are increasingly popular
At the heart of our travel experiences are the communities who’ve profoundly shaped the culture and landscapes of the places we visit. And when we peel back the layers of history, untangle its complexities and biases, and hear from those who’ve lived on the land long before colonisers set foot on it, travel becomes even more meaningful.
Our recommended destinations
Australia
Home to a diverse array of Indigenous peoples, languages, and beliefs for tens of thousands of years, Australia offers a wealth of experiences to help you delve deeper into its intricate cultural fabric. For example, you could learn about the spiritual significance of the lands surrounding the waterfall-dotted Litchfield National Park, accompanied by an Aboriginal guide. Or, take part in a traditional dot-painting workshop with an Aṉangu artist near Australia’s red-rock monolith, Uluru.
- Get me there: Our Aboriginal Australia trip idea gives you a glimpse into how you could explore Indigenous Australian culture as you travel from Darwin to Adelaide.
USA
Desert landscapes moulded by the elements, plunging canyons chiselled by rushing water, and rock-carved clues giving glimpses into the lives of people that lived on the land hundreds of years ago. In the USA’s Southwest, you can unravel history alongside passionate Indigenous guides who’ll share their culture and traditions through vivid storytelling evenings, campfire celebrations, and insightful visits to their sacred land.
- Get me there: Draw from our Best of the Southwest trip idea to explore ancient landscapes while learning from Indigenous peoples from across this region of the USA.
4. Luxury travel holds strong
Indulgent stays, experiences crafted just for you, and service that meets your needs before you’ve even thought of what they are. Luxury travel means something different to everyone, but one thing’s for certain — your choices are better than ever in 2024.
Our recommended destinations
The Galapagos Islands
Droll blue-footed boobies, lumbering giant tortoises, and regal-looking iguanas basking upon craggy rocks — the Galapagos Islands protect some of the most curious creatures on the planet. You can travel to them in complete luxury on intimate yachts like Endemic. With space for just 16 passengers, elegant suites boasting panoramic views, and an onboard naturalist guide, Endemic allows you to experience the rugged landscapes of the Galapagos in enviable bliss.
- Get me there: Combine a cruise around the Galapagos Islands with the cloudforests and beaches of Costa Rica on our suggested trip, swapping in Endemic as your luxury vessel.
Indonesia
Nothing says luxury more than staying on a remote private island embraced by coral-smattered turquoise waters. Indonesia’s Bawah Island offers just such a stay, with an added touch of carefully designed sustainability. Here, you can feast on food freshly plucked from the resort’s organic gardens, paddleboard on calm lagoon waters, and enjoy a soothing spa treatment that uses aloe vera sourced from the island’s forests.
- Get me there: Include an indulgent stay on Bawah Island during a luxury trip to Indonesia or add it on as a lavish retreat on the way back from Malaysia, New Zealand, and beyond.
5. People are getting around more sustainably
Visiting far-flung destinations usually requires a flight or two, but once you’re on the ground, it’s becoming simpler to make eco-friendly choices. From speedy train rides that eclipse airport stress to hiking and biking routes that immerse you in your surroundings, sustainable options are giving domestic air travel a run for its money.
Our recommended destinations
Laos
Thanks to new tracks in the north, you can now zip through Laos’ karst-lined countryside by train rather than taking long, bumpy car journeys. With plenty of stops along the way, you might peruse local markets laden with fresh mangosteen in Vientiane, cycle around 16th-century monasteries in Vang Vieng, take a cooking class in Luang Prabang, and head into the hills of Muang La to learn about the cultures of the Hmong and Akha people.
- Get me there: Soak in Laos’ classic sights in Vientiane, Champasak, and Luang Prabang during our suggested trip around the landlocked country, hopping on the train while in the north.
Canada
Despite Canada’s size, you can easily explore more than one area without catching a flight thanks to its extensive train network. You might venture from the bright lights of Vancouver to the crisp mountain air of the Canadian Rockies aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, or travel the width of the country in comfort on The Canadian. Alternatively, in the east, hop between Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, and Québec City by train to explore their history and food scenes, including a visit to Niagara Falls and a sustainable guided bike ride through Montréal.
- Get me there: Explore Canada’s eastern cities by train — we can add in experiences and stays matched to your preferences.
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