The global tourism It is constantly evolving and growing. We are currently witnessing a shift in tourism trends which, whilst having accelerated over the last 20 years, are now breaking records year after year.
So much so that, by 2030 and according to forecasts by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), international arrivals are expected to reach 1,860 million. This would represent an increase of 40% compared with 2022.
The reasons for this growth over the past decade include, amongst others, greater connectivity, the widespread use of the internet and social media, the excessive growth in the world’s population and a growing middle class. Furthermore, these tourists are seeking more personalised experiences and also greater use of the technology. On the part of hoteliers, efforts are also focused on the digitalisation of the customer experience and big data.
Some of the trendsin global tourism Some of the trends for 2024 have been building up for years, such as the move towards sustainable tourism and the personalisation of travel and experiences. However, new trends are also emerging, such as those related to wellness tourism and changes in payment methods.
Experiential tourism
Experiential tourism is a type of tourism that is booming in 2024. This form of tourism focuses on trips based on personal interests, which can range from sport and music to shopping.
The Olympic Games are being held in Paris this summer, so a fairly sharp increase in travel for this reason is expected. The European Football Championship will also be taking place in Germany, which is why thousands of fans will be travelling there. And finally, the T20 Cricket World Cup is being held in the United States and the Caribbean, which is also a major draw for fans of the sport.
Furthermore, demand for «retailtainment» is also expected to rise. In retailtainment, shopping is the reason for travelling, which means that more people are planning holidays near well-known shopping destinations.
London has long been one of the most popular destinations for shopping tourism, particularly amongst Chinese and American tourists. Even so, new destinations are likely to emerge – such as Italy, for example, given its large number of prestigious designers.
Luxury tourism
The luxury or high-end tourism sector – which also includes the wellness sector – is experiencing very significant growth amongst tourists. These travellers increasingly value achieving a balance between their inner and outer lives and seek exclusive experiences. To this end, many retreat destinations have emerged, offering a wide range of services tailored to these needs.
The Asia-Pacific region is making a comeback
Since the Covid-19 pandemic and all the restrictions it imposed on everyday life and global tourism, this is the first full year for this part of the world. As a result, a rise in visitor numbers to these areas is expected, with China being the leading source market.
Greater customisation
Currently, more than 90% of travellers are interested in personalised options. These tourists are increasingly seeking tailor-made trips that are less complicated.
This trend calls not only for basic services such as insurance and financial support, but also for comprehensive holiday packages.
Getaways
Given how difficult it is to take a whole week’s holiday, many tourists are looking for one- or two-day getaways to the beach or the mountains. This is a trend that is also on the rise in 2024. The advantages of this type of trip are that it is much cheaper and offers the chance to switch off; furthermore, it is a more sustainable form of tourism.
Sustainable tourism
A trend in recent decades is that tourists are becoming increasingly discerning about the sustainability of the products they buy and more aware of the need to protect nature and the planet.
Efforts are being made to reduce the ecological footprint through recycling, cutting down on plastic use, etc., and the tourism sector needs to continue tackling this problem.
Furthermore, tourists are better informed and are seeking information on the most sustainable ways to travel, so this information will influence their travel decisions.
The tourism trends we have just looked at will shape the tourism sector over the coming decades. Demographic shifts, growing awareness of sustainability, and ongoing technological and digital development will shape these trends and turn them into realities that must be embraced in order to remain competitive in an increasingly demanding market.
