The Trends Are In - 2024 Is Going To Be A Big Year In Travel
Solo travel, shoulder season, surprise travel, and set-jetting are all the rage right now. Plus, oyster roast season is finally here! Let's get into it.
Happy New Year!
The trends are in, and 2024 is poised to be a big year in travel. NYT just dropped their annual 52 Places To Go in 2024 this morning, and from the rise of surprise trips and continued popularity of set-jetting to more and more people choosing to skirt the crowds and save big by traveling during shoulder season, there’s a lot to look forward to this year.
One trend I’m personally excited about seeing is the rise in solo travel.
I wrote a story about the best cities to travel solo for Business INSIDER in September. A highly condensed, 850-word version of accounts that spans nearly two decades' worth of personal experiences, along with tips on where and how to travel alone, I received so many wonderful emails and DM’s from readers (mostly women) about their experiences traveling solo that wanted to dedicate a bit more time to the subject here.
From one woman’s account of a wonderful solo trip to Oaxaca, Mexico, to a colleague who trekked Torres del Paine in Chile and met so many wonderful people along the way, to a friend’s memorable first solo trip to Malaga, Spain, the throughline for nearly everyone I engaged with on the topic tended to be what a liberating and overall empowering experience traveling solo can be.
I received a few questions, too.
What if you get lost? What if you get lonely? What if something bad happens?
I ask myself these questions and analyze and then overanalyze a variety of scenarios anytime I go someplace new. I’ve been traveling alone for a long time, and no matter how many times I get off that plane and head out into the unknown, I’m fueled by a mix of anxiety and exhilaration that is so intoxifying that I’m convinced there is no greater feeling on earth.
According to a 2024 Travel Predictions report by Booking.com, 59% of respondents said they want to travel solo sometime in the next 12 months. My colleague in all things consumer travel advocacy, Christopher Elliott, declared 2024 The Year of The Solo Traveler for Forbes.
Cruise lines are finally getting on board when it comes to designing and pricing for solo/single supplement passengers, and more and more tour companies from Abercrombie & Kent to G Adventures are promoting the idea of traveling ‘solo, but not alone.’ One of my favorite tour companies, Intrepid Travel, recently launched a series of Women’s Expeditions to destinations from India to Pakistan and Nepal, and the itineraries for these trips look incredible.
Set-jetting continues to be a travel trend holdover from 2023 courtesy of White Lotus, Emily In Paris, and my new favorite true-crime binge, Murder At the End of The World, which has me lusting over a trip to Iceland’s dreamy and remote Eleven Deplar Farm which is, in my opinion, the swoon-worthy star of the show.
I’ll be solo set-jetting myself next month en route to Thailand and Tokyo, and I couldn’t be more excited. In case you haven’t heard, Thailand is the confirmed location for Season 3 of White Lotus, and it’s no coincidence that I’ll be staying at the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River while I’m in town.
On The Homefront
It’s Officially Oyster Roast Season in The South
Oyster roasts are arguably one of my favorite Southern pastimes, and I was thrilled when my friends at the Beaufort Tourism office asked if I’d like to help judge the 4th Annual Beaufort Oyster Festival. I was so sad to miss last year’s events, so I can’t wait to make up for lost time and slurp up all the delicious oysters this time around.
In other Beaufort news, there’s a new film that I’m super excited to see called The Final Run that will be premiering at the Beaufort International Film Festival (BIFF) in February. Loosely based on a true story, the film is about a group of ‘gentleman smugglers’ who were running drugs through the Lowcountry marshes in the ‘70’s, and the FBI investigation that brought it all down. Great story, high drama, plus those Lowcountry views. Sign me all the way up.
Here’s What’s On The Horizon
You Better Work, B*itch
Bangkok — I’m heading to Thailand in February. It’s been a few years so any tips/leads/reccos are much appreciated!
Tokyo/Japan — I’m spending a few nights in Tokyo and am always on the lookout for anything new to see/eat/discover. I’m also working on a how to travel solo to Japan story and would love to hear from anyone who has questions/advice!
Charleston — I’m working on a new series for Fodor’s Travel and will be writing a lot about Charleston in the coming weeks. Any tips/leads, get at me ASAP!
Editors Note
As always, thank you for reading and subscribing to The Beau Yorker!
I’d love to hear from you. Where are you traveling to this year? What trends are you loving? Loathing? How do you feel about this crazy Boeing 737 Max 9 news that continues to be more horrifying by the minute?
Feel free to send me a note or drop a reply in the comments. As always, thank you for reading and supporting. I’m excited to get back on the road and share stories from near and far, and I couldn’t do it without you.
Cheers, and until next month, safe travels!
Michelle
Loved this story, but would be concerned about traveling alone