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According to Booking.com’s extensive Travel Predictions research, travel is no longer just an escape from reality; it is life itself for a significant portion of travellers. The research, based on insights from more than 27,000 travellers across 33 countries and territories, including Singapore, paints a vibrant picture of the future of travel. Singapore-based travellers, in particular, have shown an extraordinary enthusiasm for travel, with 82% of them feeling more alive than ever when they are on vacation, and 64% believing they are the best version of themselves during holidays.
Booking.com’s Travel Predictions for 2024 are nothing short of a travel revolution. These predictions offer a glimpse into the evolving world of travel, driven by technology, new perspectives, and the desire to experience life to its fullest. Here are Booking.com’s seven predictions for travel in 2024:
1. Reboot Retreaters
Amid the hustle and bustle of modern life, travellers are seeking to reconnect with themselves by embarking on trips that align with their desires. A new phenomenon called “sleep tourism” is on the rise, where 67% of Singapore-based travellers plan to travel in 2024 solely to focus on uninterrupted sleep. For those seeking more than rest, 40% are open to matchmaking holidays to find new partners, while 34% are planning heartbreak holidays to heal from past relationships. Surprisingly, 24% of travellers in relationships are prioritizing deeper human connections with their partners through travel. Even parents are opting for solo journeys, with 55% planning to travel alone to prioritize their well-being.
Laura Houldsworth, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific at Booking.com, says, “Travel allows us to become the best version of ourselves.”
2. Surrender Seekers
In 2024, travellers are embracing spontaneity and the thrill of the unknown. Over 54% of Singapore-based travellers are eager to book surprise trips where even the destination is a secret until arrival. A majority (55%) prefer to leave their travel plans open-ended, and 28% are even open to travelling with strangers. Technology is playing a pivotal role in catering to this trend, with the growth of AI in travel planning. Over 53% of Singapore-based travellers trust AI to plan their trips.
3. A La Carte Affluencers
Travellers in 2024 are looking for ways to save money while enhancing their vacations. In response to the cost of living crisis, 62% of Singapore-based travellers plan to use AI for insights and tips to upgrade their experiences. Additionally, 60% are choosing destinations with lower living costs, and 46% are willing to pay for day passes to access five-star hotel amenities. AI is becoming the ultimate travel partner for the cost-conscious traveller.
4. Culinary Excavators
Food enthusiasts will take a deeper dive into the culinary treasures of their destinations in 2024. Over 72% of Singapore-based travellers are interested in learning about the origins of a destination’s must-eat dishes. A whopping 80% want to savour indigenous cuisines. Foodies are also becoming experientialists, with 49% seeking immersive “phygital” food experiences enhanced by virtual reality and augmented reality, promising mood-altering lighting, fragrances, and soundscapes.
5. Mindful Aesthetes
Travelers are increasingly seeking accommodations that not only provide comfort and design but also have environmental sustainability at their core. More than half (56%) of Singapore-based travellers are looking for accommodation with sustainability innovation, and 70% want to bring the outside environment indoors. Travellers are also keen on sustainable travel apps to unlock rewards, such as unique experiences with locals and access to remote, less touristy locations.
6. Cool-cationers
As temperatures rise due to climate change, 56% of Singapore-based travellers believe it will impact their travel plans in 2024. Many intend to use their vacations to escape the heat. Water-centric vacations are gaining popularity, with 29% expressing interest in such trips. These vacations will focus on water-based activities like floating yoga, water sound baths, and snow meditation. There will also be a surge in ice therapy retreats, underwater hotels, and mermania experiences.
7. (Alter) Ego Enthusiasts
Travellers in 2024 are set to create epic alter egos on vacation, with 42% of Singapore-based travellers making up stories about their real life to people they meet during their journeys. These enthusiasts enjoy the thrill of embodying a version 2.0 of themselves, with 73% enjoying the anonymity of travel. More than half (64%) feel “main character energy” on their travels, empowered to be the stars of their own lives.
As Laura Houldsworth, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific at Booking.com, aptly puts it, “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.”
In a world where travel is synonymous with vitality, these predictions show us that the future of travel is limitless, filled with new experiences, connections, and personal transformations. Booking.com is committed to making these extraordinary experiences accessible to every traveller in 2024 and beyond. Travel is no longer just a journey; it’s a way of life.
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