Domestic tourism rather than international travel is one of the top travel trends for 2024. While jet setting to shores afar can be exciting, how much of your own country have you visited? Road tripping provides the opportunity to engage deeper with your own culture and heritage, and admire the vast experiences and populations the UK has to provide. As the old saying goes, you’re never a tourist in your own backyard. So let’s fix that.
Top 5 Travel Trends for 2024
1. Travel Dupes
Travelling to the arctic for the northern lights or Greece for the beaches are actually both experiences that can be had right here in the UK. A trending alternative to international travel is opting for a domestic “destination dupe”. If you’re craving a sunny beach adventure, Cornwall has the warmest climate in the UK, not to mention stunning beaches. When timed correctly, the northern lights can be spotted in the northern counties. Swap expensive flights for a road trip to the best destinations in your own backyard! Check out our article of places to visit to inspire your travel dupe destination.
2. Astro-Toursim
Digital detoxes and reduced screen time have become a staple in mental wellbeing practices. As a result, travellers are craving more authentic experiences that allow opportunities for connection with nature and those surrounding us. Looking up from your screen to the night sky is the perfect opportunity to do just that. Whether you’re an amateur or seasoned veteran of astronomical admiration, travelling to nearby dark sky reserves like the North York Moors or Snowdonia National Park to stargaze is not to be missed. Conde Nast Traveller named Yorkshire amongst their top places to visit in 2024, largely for the Dales’ Dark Skies Festival.
3. “Set-Jetting”
A Netflix binge can make you long to visit the fictional worlds of Bridgerton or Harry Potter. The next best thing is what travel experts are calling “set-jetting”. This means planning a trip around popular film locations. A quick Google search will yield how many spots are easily accessible by car. Much of Bridgerton was filmed at Castle Howard (North Yorkshire), Basildon Park (Reading), and several spots in Bath.
4. Off-Peak Travelling
Many feel that summer is the best time to holiday. But, with the climate warming, people are being encouraged to consider travel during off-peak times. Your travel destinations will be more temperate, quieter, and most importantly, more affordable. Living in a post-COVID world, the demand for tourism has boomed, making hot-spot tourist destinations over-crowded, over-priced, and over-saturated with other tourists. Go in the off-season to engage more directly with locals and gain a deeper understanding of their unique regional culture and heritage.
5. Alternative Itinerary Planning
Instead of splurging on a pricey tourist guidebook or consulting travel agents, many are using the technology at their fingertips to help plan their dream holiday. Harness the power of an AI chatbot to get tailor-made advice. Some prompt examples include:
- “Plan a three day itinerary to Bath for three friends who enjoy walking and Jane Austen. We will be going in mid-March.”
- “Generate a packing list for a five day trip to the Peak District in February.”
- “Give me a list of things to do when visiting York as if you are an expert from Travel & Leisure. This includes unique culinary experiences, off-the-beaten-track historical locations, and beautiful walking paths.”
The key is to be specific about what kind of holiday you want, including location, duration of your stay, number of people going, time of year, and preferred activities. It is important to note that AI is still an imperfect technology so you should fact check all information to ensure it’s correct and in-date.
Another holiday planning resource is one you unknowingly already use: social media. With travel influencers and social media accounts at an all time high, using your home page as a search engine just makes sense. Instagram or TikTok hashtags are a great starting point for your next holiday. These apps are very visual and allow you to see for yourself if you think something looks worth doing or how delicious (or not) a recommended food stop is.
Get in Touch
Travelling sustainably with domestic tourism, prioritising authentic experiences, and leveraging technology to customise your holiday are the biggest travel trends of 2024. Which travel trends are you most excited about implementing this year? Tweet us your answers!
If your goal for the new year is to travel the UK at your own pace, take a look at our range of cars, vans, and minibuses to hire and get in touch today.