Lily Girma, travel journalist
Few of us could have predicted a war in the Middle East less than two years after the restart of the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Coupled with the soaring cost of travel and inflation, it’s likely more travellers will choose to prioritise trips that are closer to home. That doesn’t mean they’re sacrificing long-haul trips altogether or spending less, but their eye will remain largely on regional destinations. As a result, domestic tourism will remain strong in 2024, whether in the US or Europe and Africa, where an increasing number of countries — Kenya, Gambia, Seychelles, and soon Rwanda — have removed visa requirements for all African travellers. In addition, with the fuller return of major festivals and events, globally, there’s a wealth of exploration and once-in-a-lifetime memories that await… the kind that don’t require a long-haul flight.
TRAILBORN
Transformative adventure travel, which gives back to the local community
Mike Weiss, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Trailborn
With a significant increase in domestic leisure travel and national park visitation, I’m confident we’ll continue to see a rise in road trips and outdoor adventure travel in 2024.
Travellers are seeking awe-inspiring transformative experiences, specifically those in the great outdoors, and they want to stay somewhere that authentically reflects its surroundings – from design and branding to programming and food and beverage. They are looking for hotels with a unique point of view, which offer creative restaurants that stand out from limited-service brands, and partner closely with local communities.
It is also becoming increasingly important for companies to reinvest in the communities and natural resources they touch, and travellers will continue to be more discerning in supporting brands that do so.
