The top travel trends from this 2024 season have seen a curious rise and fall in many metrics. According to data from websites such as Booking.com, Justfly.com, and Natural World Safaris have aggregated their data to point out some of the most notable travel trends for the summer of 2024.
1. Orlando, Florida Tops Domestic Charts
For domestic U.S. flights, Allianz examined flight bookings to better understand where travelers within America are flying to. The top destination during summer travel (considered the period between Memorial Day to Labor Day) was Orlando, Florida. The second-most booked destination is Seattle, Washington. This is following by Boston, New York City, and Honolulu, respectively.
2. Spiked Interest in the South of France
Undoubtedly experiencing a spike due to the Olympic Games, Fora Travel says that they have seen a more than 70% increase in interest in the south of France. The “Le Midi,” region has cities like Nice, Cannes, and Marseille (among many more) that offer stunning views that are unparalleled. For those traveling for the Olympics, it may signal a desire to visit the southern region in addition to viewing the games. So, make like Audrey Hepburn and get in your convertible while driving through the scenic French Riviera!
3. Travel Costs are Way Up
According to Squaremouth.com, travelers this year are shelling out cash for their trips like never before. Travelers are spending an average of $10,000 on summer trips — which is a 7% increase over last summer and an even further 14% when looking at 2022 data. This increase is perhaps still felt as a holdover from the Covid-19 lockdowns, where people are still looking to take the vacations that they waited for — either for the right time or to save more money. In general, rising vacation costs are also attributed to these higher cost factors.
4. Travelers Want to Hit the Beach
Knowing Orlando is high on the list for domestic travel, other summer vacation spots that are popular on the booking engines include Panama City Beach and Destin — all popular beach travel spots. Outside of Florida, Ocean City, Maryland (which boasts its own beaches) saw a 22% increase in search volume over last year. These increases suggest travelers are craving beaches more than ever.
