Need some inspo on where to go?
Explore these 8 travel trends to create your next — and best — trip.
Embrace the Unknown
2024 travel is all about immersion. UK travellers are trading post-able, picturesque backgrounds for deeper dives into local cultures and activities. This shift towards experience-focused travel is reshaping vacation plans, with a focus on location-specific, authentic interactions with locals. Think: learning to make pasta in a quaint Italian village or spending a day with llamas on a farm in the Andes.
It’s all about connecting to a place and its people to create unforgettable memories, and maybe learn something about yourself in the process.
Tip: While some llama-loving pasta chefs really lean into immersive experiences, an inexpensive way to learn more about a place begins with breakfast. Skip the rubbery croissants at the hotel and go for a local place.
Outer Limits – New experiences away from popular City Break destinations
Plan ahead for the best deals
Last-minute holiday planning feels exciting until it isn’t. The frisson of a pick-up-and-go holiday quickly fades when scrambling to find a seat on a train or plane. In 2024, savvy UK travellers are booking their vacations well in advance, with most securing their trips 3-6 months ahead of time.
Spontaneity is almost never cheap. Standby flights eat away at precious holiday hours, and airport snacks are expensive! Planning ahead, travellers can enjoy their well-deserved break without the anxiety and expense of last-minute arrangements.
Tip: If you crave the excitement of a surprise trip but require the reliability of advance-planning, consider surprise travel.
TikTok travel
Of course, social media influence travel choices! Platforms like TikTok are shaping destination trends for aspirational travellers. Who wouldn’t want to go to a beach in Bali, photoshopped to perfection? Or visit the pyramids at sunset, the tacky tourist hoards just out of frame? In fact, a British Airways Holidays survey found that 23% of UK consumers use TikTok for holiday ideas, and 18% have booked trips directly because of what they’ve seen on the platform.
Tip: If your travel dreams don’t quite fit your budget, consider a destination dupe.
Shoulder season travel
Budget travellers know that a holiday during shoulder seasons — periods just before or after the peak travel months — cuts the bottom line, big time. But travelling off-season isn’t just for broke backpackers. People who hit hot destinations outside of peak tourist times have a lot more elbow room at major attractions. Restaurants aren’t packed with screamy kids hopped up on chips and gelato. Cooler weather. Appreciative proprietors.
Tip: Don’t want to fry for full price? Consider autumn travel.
Golden wanderlust: whispers of autumn’s beauty in magical destinations
Go solo
Solo travel is on the rise, especially among younger travellers looking for independence and self-discovery. According to a Hilton study, nearly a quarter of UK travellers are considering solo trips in the next three years. This trend is particularly strong in Northern Ireland, where 33% are contemplating a solo adventure. With the freedom to create your own itinerary, make spontaneous decisions, and immerse yourself in new cultures without any distractions, the question isn’t WHY solo travel, but WHY NOT?
Tip: Solo travel isn’t just for the young!
Smart spending
Budget-friendly travel options have never been bigger. The tricky part is maximizing value without compromising on experiences. This includes opting for affordable destinations, booking during off-peak times, and factoring in trip cancellation insurance. Reading the fine print to see if a budget flight is really the best option.
Wellness and relaxation
Can you imagine getting home from a holiday refreshed, relaxed, and recharged? For wellness travellers, that’s the point. Trending: spa retreats, wellness programs, and nature-focused activities. From a full-on 10-day guided fast at a leafy retreat in New Zealand to a day of self-care, wellness is topping travel itineraries.
Tip: Your wellness journey and your travel plans aren’t mutually exclusive. Look for destinations that work with both.
See where Frodo did the thing with the ring
Some people think LOTR is an epic journey. I think it’s the best tourist plug for New Zealand, ever! Hit movies and tv shows draw dedicated UK fans to Dubrovnik and Malta for “Game of Thrones,” New York for everything from King Kong to Carrie Bradshaw, and Greece for the cult of ABBA. Tour operators are happily complying with the trend. If it’s been filmed, you can bet there’s a tour for stans.
Tip: Check fan sites in the destination for special events.
Whether a quick, cheap, city break or a month-long language immersion, the biggest travel trend is travel itself. More UK travellers are hitting the bricks, rails, skies and waves than ever before.
