Motivated by crossing items off their to-do lists, travellers will roam the world in 2024, prioritizing authentic, customized experiences in off-the-beaten-path locales, according to a new survey from TRAVELSAVERS Canada, which asked its advisors to forecast the top travel destinations and trends for next year, as well as recommended must-have experiences.
Europe’s popularity will continue unabated, according to the advisors surveyed during November. Italy will be 2024’s top destination, with Portugal following closely behind. Alaska also broke the top five, and the Dominican Republic and the Mayan Riviera rounded out the list of top destinations.
Visiting exotic destinations was identified by Canadian advisors as a top emerging trend, and their forecasts for 2024’s trending locales range from first-place South Africa and second-place
Vienam to Japan, Eastern Europe, and Morocco.
“People are increasingly eager for new adventures,” said Jane Clementino, Sr. VP and GM of TRAVELSAVERS Canada. “They’re more excited than ever to spread their wings and try new things, whether it’s a new place, activity, or style of travel. They want the full experience.”
All-inclusive travel is the top trend for next year, as travellers crave extra value and ease of planning their vacations. River cruising and active/adventure travel also ranked highly in the survey. Multigenerational and family travel, along with small-group travel, are surging in popularity due to a desire to experience the world with loved ones.
Bucket-list travel is the No. 1 emerging trend, according to the survey, as travellers are converting their dreams into to-do lists. Personalized experiences and authentic travel made the top five as well, reflecting a heightened interest in cultural immersion tailored to the traveller’s preferences. Off-the-beaten-path travel also ranked highly, along with AI-assisted travel planning.
“People are prioritizing travel and making moves to check the items off their bucket lists,” said Clementino. “They’re not waiting anymore. They’re working with travel advisors now to create their ideal vacations and build memories.”
When asked about must-have travel experiences for 2024, Canadian advisors recommended four styles of trips:
- Immersive experiences – Discovering first-hand how other cultures live and connecting with the nature, history, and cuisine of the destination. Custom itineraries, longer stays and purposeful interactions all deepen the bond to the area.
- Cruising – With so much variety, cruises offer something for everyone; ocean and river cruising both provide a taste of different destinations; new offerings and features on new ships.
- Enhanced vacations – Splurging on travel experiences can make a major difference to the enjoyment of the trip, including first-class air, a five-star hotel and expedited customs services, such as private transfers, guided tours, yachts, and jets.
- Out-of-the-ordinary destinations – Visit sites such as Alaska’s glaciers, Machu Picchu, and the Pyramids of Egypt while you still can, or experience pristine nature with an African safari, or Galapagos Islands or Antarctica journey. Discover different ways of life in places such as Southeast Asia and the South Pacific, even ones that might be out of a traveller’s comfort zone.
The survey results are as follows:
Top Destinations
- Italy
- Portugal
- Dominican Republic
- Riviera Maya
- Alaska
Top Exotic Destinations
- South Africa
- Vietnam
- Eastern Europe
- Japan
- Morocco
Top Trends
- All-inclusive travel
- Multigenerational travel
- River cruising
- Family travel
- Small-group travel
Top Emerging Trends
- Bucket list/to-do trips
- Off-the-beaten-path/exotic destinations
- Personalized experiences
- Authentic travel
- AI-assisted travel planning
Advisors from TRAVELSAVERS agency affiliates in Canada participated in the survey between Nov. 8 and 27, 2023.