The historic travel demand observed by the tourism industry this summer contributed to a surge in airfares and hotel prices, both domestically and internationally.
Data from the hotel search platform Trivago show that this summer travelers focused on destinations and activities that boost their mental health and also that didn’t break the bank.
These travel trends give us a clear idea about how people will travel during the winter of 2024.
The “Taylor-Swift” Effect
The Taylor Swift effect is a travel trend we had predicted at Traveling LifeStyle well ahead of summer.
As anticipated, thousands of fans traveled across multiple countries to attend her famous Eras Tour, or just to be in the same city she was visiting.
This travel trend is not limited to Taylor Swift, per se. In fact, thousands of people engaged in travel to follow major sporting events of international relevance such as the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, and the Eurocup, both held this summer.
Alternative Destinations and Accommodations
Tourists this summer were not willing to sacrifice luxury or their budget, so they sought alternative destinations that offered similar perks but at a lower price.
Regarding this travel trend, Trivago found that travelers chose destinations such as Turkey, Osaka, and Tokyo instead of London or Paris, which became prohibitively expensive due to the Olympic Games.
Those who booked traditionally expensive destinations in Europe and Asia opted for budget hotels to control and reduce their expenses.
Travel & Mental Well-being
Arguably, one of the most notable trends uncovered by this survey is that Americans strongly value the impact of travel on their well-being and mental health, with 78% of respondents saying that going on vacations on a regular basis positively affects their mental health.
Additionally, 30% reported that their main objective when going on vacation is to enhance their mental wellness.
Planning, Planning, Planning!
This summer, tourists were not willing to play it by ear. The vast majority of travelers booked their tickets well in advance (Trivago did not disclose how many weeks ahead). So, by the time summer arrived, travelers already had their suitcases packed.
Trivago also revealed that travelers extensively used traveling planning apps and similar technologies to plan itineraries and activities during their vacation days.