From (Alter) Ego Enthusiasts to Mindful Aesthetes, 7 trends that will reshape travel in 2024

(Alter) Ego Enthusiasts: In 2024, travel enthusiasts are embracing a unique journey of self-discovery as ‘Ego Enthusiasts.’ An overwhelming 82% of Indian travellers enjoy the anonymity of travel, using it as an opportunity to reinvent themselves. These alter ego enthusiasts relish being the stars of their adventures, adopting different personas and shedding inhibitions. A significant 81% aspire to carry this newfound confidence into their daily lives, even investing in superior cars (68%) for travel to embody their best selves.

Cool Cationers: With global temperatures on the rise, travellers are seeking cooler destinations, influenced by climate change considerations. For 74%, climate change is now a pivotal factor in vacation plans — pushing them toward cooler destinations. In India, 76% of travellers are determined to use holidays to cool down in places far from the scorching sun. Water-centric travel gains popularity, with 83% agreeing that proximity to water induces relaxation, and 38% of Indian travellers expressing interest in water-centric vacations.

Surrender Seekers: Travellers in 2024 are increasingly inclined to embrace spontaneity and adventure as ‘Surrender Seekers.’ Over 74% are ready to book surprise trips where the destination remains a mystery until arrival. Rejecting the monotony of everyday life, 67% opt to venture off the beaten path, with 54% yearning to travel alongside strangers. Embracing spontaneity, 66% prefer no plans set in stone, and 76% embrace loose itineraries — allowing flexibility based on what feels right at the time. Additionally, 70% of Indian travellers trust AI for trip planning.

Culinary Excavators: Travellers in 2024 are delving deep into the origins of food on vacations, becoming ‘Culinary Excavators.’ About 78% show heightened interest in unravelling the history and heritage behind a destination’s ‘must-eat’ delicacies. This gastro-tourism trend lets travellers embrace the unique blend of history, geography, and local produce — creating unforgettable experiences. Foodie travellers seek immersive ‘phygital’ (physical + digital) food experiences, with 69% enlivened by virtual reality.

A staggering 85% of Indian travellers express feeling more alive during vacations, believing it brings out the best version of themselves. (Source: Freepik)

Reboot Retreaters: In a world marked by global instability, ‘Reboot Retreaters’ in 2024 seek journeys dedicated to self-improvement. 59% of Indian travellers carve out time for matchmaking holidays (to find a spark with a new partner), 53% opt for heartbreak holidays (providing the healing space needed to overcome past relationships), and 79% plan to travel solo for personal rejuvenation. Agrarian and indigenous lifestyles attract over half of Indian travellers — reflecting a desire for self-sufficiency and harmony with nature. Sleep tourism emerges as a trend, catering to 68% of Reboot Retreaters seeking undisturbed sleep.

A La Carte Affluencers: Travellers in 2024 redefine luxury as ‘A La Carte Affluencers,’ using money-saving strategies for indulgence. Seeking à la carte luxuries while curbing costs, 76% of Indian travellers want insights and tips from AI to enhance experiences with suggested deals. Travellers are willing to explore budget-friendly alternatives that emulate luxury (66%), with 70% choosing destinations where the cost of living is more economical. Parents (71%) plan to take children out of school to travel outside peak seasons, ensuring a taste of luxury without excessive costs.

Mindful Aesthetes: In 2024, sustainability and style converge as ‘Mindful Aesthetes.’ Accommodations with sustainability innovation attract 77% of Indian travellers, and 81% want to see sustainability in practice. Travellers actively seek nature indoors, with 81% wishing for green spaces and plants in vacation accommodations. Mindful aesthetics reshape travel, with 83% of Indian travellers drawn to sustainable travel apps and 58% seeking unique experiences in off-the-beaten-path areas.

Santosh Kumar, country manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia at Booking.com, notes, “Our 2024 travel predictions reflect the idea that travel is not a means to escape life, but instead a catalyst to live our best lives. From thrilling adventures in a new destination to feeling the pulse of a new culture and every experience in between, travel allows us to become the best version of ourselves.”