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These Are the Top Travel Trends of 2024, According to American Express Travel

What are people really traveling for in 2024?

Grant Faint/Getty Images

Demand for premium travel continues at a torrid pace in 2024. Not only is that being reflected in the first few months of the year, but also in the newly released trend report by  American Express (Amex) Travel . The study explored travel behaviors and trip planning from participants living in seven countries: Australia, Canada, Mexico, Japan, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The majority of respondents are planning major milestone-like trips, even if there isn’t necessarily an occasion to celebrate. And 84 percent of people surveyed plan to spend more or the same amount of money on travel in 2024 compared to last year. That includes destinations like  Antarctica  and the  Galapagos Islands . (Travel agents and advisors are making a resurgence as well, with over 50 percent of people looking to leverage a travel agent or trusted advisor to book, like  T+L’s A-List .)

“The report shows that demand for travel is continuing, and that people are building itineraries to create memories—being intentional about the places they are going, and the things they are doing when they get there,” Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel, told Travel + Leisure .

Meanwhile, if 2023 was the year of “gig-tripping” (and the Taylor Swift effect), then 2024 is the year of long-distance travel for sporting events. Amex’s survey showed that 67 percent of millennial and Gen Z respondents are interested in traveling for sports in 2024. Paris, Miami, and New York City are the top three cities for sports travel, according to Amex. (Paris is hosting the  Olympic Games this year, Miami is hosting Formula 1, and New York City has the U.S. Open Tennis.)

In addition, solo travel will be a prominent theme in 2024, with 76 percent of millennials and Gen Z (compared to 69 percent of all respondents) saying they plan to take a solo trip this year, with a majority centered around self-love and treating themselves. “It is really interesting to see how many people are embracing solo travel,” said Hendley. “We’re seeing changes with younger travelers in particular."

Finally, Amex says that 2024 will be a notable year for spontaneous trips or what they’re calling “on-a-whim travel.” Nearly 80 percent of travelers say they plan to take a spur-of-the-moment trip, while 44 percent of respondents even expressed a preference for a spontaneous trip instead of having all the details planned. In fact, there are entire companies (like  Pack Up & Go  and  Competitours ) that offer complete itineraries where none of the details are provided in advance.

For something a bit less extreme, Henley recommended leaving unplanned time on existing trips to experience local culture and activities. “I just took an incredible trip to Thailand and relied on local experts and tour guides to show me the ‘real’ sites. I would have missed out on these local experiences – and so much incredible food – if I hadn’t left room in my itinerary to be impulsive and truly explore,” she said.

To learn more visit go.amex .

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The biggest travel trends for 2024

By Sarah Allard

If 2022 was all about a return to travel, then 2023 was the year we went further than ever before. Travellers took to the skies, rails, roads and seas to tick off major bucket-list moments, with Arctic adventures, luxury yacht cruises and even the first tourist trip into space.

In 2024, travellers will be putting what’s important to them front and centre of their plans, valuing deeper experiences that leave a positive impact, time spent with loved ones and wellness moments that last well after checkout. We’ll be choosing destinations carefully, slowing it down to enjoy the silence and the stars, indulging in our love of food in new and interesting places, and immersing ourselves in wellness practices that help us live longer. These are the 20 travel trends likely to guide how we see the world in 2024.

Astro tourism | Illustration: Milagros Pico

1. Astro tourism

What’s the trend? Astronomy, of course, is a field of study that has been around since the dawn of civilisation, and the act of gazing up at the stars has long been a source of soul-soothing wonder. Today, the more society falls deeper into an ever-expanding virtual world, the more we feel a need to broaden our horizons in the real universe. Astro tourism, or star bathing, is the act of travelling with the aim of catching sight of astronomical phenomena – disappearing to lands devoid of any pollution, crowds and traffic, where we can focus solely on the skies above and while away hours gazing at the stars, planets and constellations overhead.

Why will it matter in 2024? Increasingly, wellness-centric hotels and spas are creating the space for guests to gaze upwards, watching for comets, spying constellations and identifying patterns in the glittering expanse. In the UK, Port Lympne has opened the Lookout Bubble, a glass dome allowing guests to sprawl out on king-sized beds and study the stars. Further east on the Arabian Gulf, Zulal Wellness Resort is surrounded by the expanse of the Qatari desert – the ultimate destination for pollution-free astromancy, with dedicated workshops and stargazing sessions for families and children looking to learn more about the cosmos. Safari company Desert & Delta organises trips for travellers looking to soak up the stars across Botswana and Namibia, where guests can sleep in tents at remote locations such as the Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the world’s largest salt flats, and spend nights with uninterrupted star vistas. Similarly, Tswalu is a South African safari camp with star beds set on a sleep-out deck in the Korannaberg mountains. And 2024 happens to be a big year, astronomy-wise, from mind-boggling eclipses to spectacular meteor showers – plus, scientists are predicting the best displays of the northern lights in 20 years, according to the Guardian , as we approach the next solar maximum (the sun’s peak of its 11-year activity cycle). Olivia Morelli

2. Eco diving

What’s the trend? A rise in divers choosing their travel destinations based on the sustainability of the scuba centres, and having a more positive, regenerative impact on the ocean once there.

Why will it matter in 2024? In 2022, UK marine ecology charity The Reef-World Foundation found that 95 per cent of divers wanted to book with sustainable operators, but struggled to do so. In response to this, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (Padi) launched its Eco Center accreditation on World Earth Day (22 April) 2023, with the United Nations Environment Program and Reef-World itself. The steps required to earn this green status are so rigorous – including sharing evidence of conservation activities and a real reduction in environmental footprint – that Padi advised operators to allow at least 12 months to hit the criteria, taking us to… Earth Day 2024. After an initial figure of just 11 worldwide, there are now 100, and Padi has set a goal to reach 660 by 2030 – a 10th of its membership. “South East Asia currently has the highest density (more than 20), along with the Caribbean,” says Julie Andersen of Padi. So what does this mean for divers and their trips? “The type of conservation work done and reported on depends on the Eco Center,” Andersen explains. “Those in the Caribbean offer coral replanting programmes, key for regenerating coastlines. In Baja, Mexico, they’ve developed citizen science courses, collecting data for whale conservation.” There are also a number of new Padi courses being launched for any diver to take anywhere, including the Global Shark and Ray Census in August 2024, as well as the relaunch of the Coral Reef Conservation Specialty course before December. Becky Lucas

3. Home swapping

What’s the trend? Increasingly, discerning travellers are looking to stay away for longer stretches, while the rise of remote jobs post-pandemic means that working and living abroad has never been more appealing. The catch? Forking out on hefty accommodation fees while you’re at it. Enter home swapping: the perfect solution to guarantee yourself a (free) home abroad while you offer up your own in exchange – for weeks or even months at a time.

Why will it matter in 2024? As the cost of holidaying continues to climb, home swapping is an affordable alternative to splashing out on expensive hotels or Airbnbs. And while the concepts of couch surfing and house exchanges have existed for decades, several slick new platforms are redefining what home swapping looks like today. Twin City, which operates in cities as far-flung as Lisbon and Los Angeles, has curated a community of 1,100 plus carefully vetted users in just eight months. For an annual subscription fee of £150, members can find Twins to connect with through the platform, and are encouraged to exchange local recommendations for their city as well as their homes, enabling members to feel as if they’re swapping with a trusted friend rather than a stranger. Meanwhile, Kindred, a home-swapping platform where members rack ​​up credits for each night that they exchange homes, raised $15 million in funding this year to expand operations across the USA and Europe, and currently has 10,000 plus homes in more than 50 cities. Members simply pay a cleaning and service fee for each stay, while the cost of the stay itself is free. Or skip out on membership fees entirely and head straight to TikTok, where Gen Z appears to be spearheading the home-swapping movement on social media. Inspired by cult film The Holiday , trending tags #houseswap and #homeswap have garnered more than 23 and 20 million views respectively, with users utilising the platform as a means to advertise their homes, discover like-minded peers to swap with and document their adventures along the way. Gina Jackson

4. Train stations are the new food destinations

What’s the trend? Train stations around the world are usually passed through as quickly as possible, having not been designed for commuters to stay and hang out. Nowadays, as travel delays increase and visitors want more local experiences, it pays for train stations to welcome travellers with shops, restaurants and bars for them to explore. In an effort to create a more dynamic visitor experience, historic train stations are being revamped, with bespoke food and drink offerings as an integral part of the redesign.

Aishwarya Venkatraman

Condé Nast Traveller

Jasreen Mayal Khanna

Why will it matter in 2024? As train stations are renovated to accommodate more travellers and update old infrastructure, local restaurants and bars are being added to attract more customers. In 2023, the new Moynihan Train Hall in New York City became home to The Irish Exit, a bar from the team behind the acclaimed Dead Rabbit, and Yono Sushi by trendy BondST, plus outposts of beloved NYC restaurants Pastrami Queen and Jacob’s Pickles, with Mexican hotspot La Esquina coming soon.  Platform 1 a new bar and restaurant that opened in November underneath Glasgow Central Station . The cave-like space, with its historic brick arches, serves street-food-style dishes and craft brews made in the on-site microbrewery, plus there’s an outdoor beer garden. As part of its renovation, Toronto’s Union Station launched Union Market in May 2023 with favourite local food retailers Manotas Organics, Chocolatta Brigadeiro’s, Patties Express and Kibo. Meanwhile, in Somerset, Castle Cary station is in the process of a revamp, with nearby hotel The Newt creating a creamery, cafe and co-working space, which is set to open in 2024. Also on tap for the next few years is the completed renovation of 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, with plans for a 20 per cent increase in concession space that will focus on local purveyors. Devorah Lev-Tov

5. Sports tourism

What’s the trend? No longer the domain of lads on tour keen to sink as many pints as possible with one eye on a football game, sports tourism has evolved in the past few years with a new generation – and type – of sports fan emerging thanks to glossy TV documentaries ( Formula 1: Drive to Survive , we’re looking at you). Now, we’re taking our fandom out of the house and following a host of different sports in destinations across the world, planning holidays that hinge around seeing games, races and other activities in exotic locales, and extending trips on either side to see the sights too.

Why will it matter in 2024? A little event known as the Olympic and Paralympic Games anchors the 2024 sports calendar. It kicks off in Paris in late July and runs until early September, during which time more than a million tourists are expected to check in across the French capital. The games have inspired city-wide projects such as the €1.4-billion clean-up of the Seine, which , all going well, will allow public swimming in the river for the first time in a century. Elsewhere, the Tour de France starts in Italy for the first time in 2024, with competitors speeding off in Florence before heading to Rimini on the Adriatic coast and then north to the Apennines through Emilia-Romagna. New bike routes in the area have been released by tour operators such as Ride International Tours and Ride Holidays for cycling enthusiasts keen to join in the fun. Sarah James

6. Coolcationing

What’s the trend? For the vast majority of folk, summer holidays used to be about following the sun, seeking the heat – watching the mercury climb and hitting the sands. With the intense, record-breaking temperatures of recent years, however, many are considering travelling in the opposite direction: booking "coolcations" in temperate destinations, which also benefit from being less crowded.

Why will it matter in 2024? Rising temperatures caused by the climate crisis have resulted in the hottest recorded summer in the UK – just over 40℃ in July 2022 – while 2023, with a sweltering summer in much of Mediterranean Europe, North America and China – is on track to be the hottest year ever. Little wonder that many travellers are thinking again before booking literal hotspots such as the South of France and Sicily in July or August. A survey for luxe travel network Virtuoso found that 82 per cent of its clients are considering destinations with more moderate weather in 2024. Destinations such as Iceland, Finland and Scotland, according to Intrepid Travel, along with Latvia, which is surging in popularity. “We’re seeing an increase in those holidaying further north,” says Andrea Godfrey of Regent Holidays. “Scandinavia and the Baltics are both getting noticed more: they offer a more pared-back style of holiday but have some lovely beaches, and forests and lakes for both relaxation and adventure activities.” Cooler temperatures are particularly well suited to family travel too. “We’re getting far more enquiries from families for destinations that offer summer sun but also respite from the high temperatures being experienced in beach resorts across the Med,” says Liddy Pleasants, founder of family specialist Stubborn Mule Travel. “Kayaking in Norway, with its midnight sun, for instance, and cycling or hiking in Slovenia, which is also very good value.” Time to ditch the SPF50… Rick Jordan

Gig tripping | Illustration: Milagros Pico

7. Gig tripping

What’s the trend? For years, athletes and wellness gurus were the big headliners at retreats. But rock stars are, well, the new rock stars of travel. Call it the Swift Effect. Destination concert business is up more than 50 per cent, led mostly by Taylor Swift, says Janel Carnero, a travel advisor at Embark Beyond. In the USA, tickets for Swift’s Eras Tour cost thousands and were still impossible to score. Music fans are realising they can pay less and have a more memorable experience by seeing their favourite pop icons perform in say, Amsterdam or Milan. Tours from performers such as Pearl Jam, U2, Doja Cat and Madonna will anchor trip itineraries, while music festivals (Glastonbury sold out in less than an hour) will be major catalysts for travel.

Why will it matter in 2024? New music festivals, including Untold in Romania's Cluj-Napoca, are introducing travellers to undiscovered destinations, says Alexandrea Padilha of Fischer Travel. And it’s no longer just about the music, says Carnero. “It’s the social aspect of sharing experiences with friends,” she adds. Hotels and travel companies have taken note and are creating the equivalent of backstage VIP experiences for guests. Global adventure collective Eleven has recently introduced Music with Eleven. The programme’s dedicated team of music-industry insiders (including Chris Funk, guitarist from the Decemberists) custom design itineraries that might include sitting in on a recording session at Flóki Studios, just outside the Arctic Circle at Deplar Farm in Iceland. And Rhythm & Sails hosts musicians on its catamarans. The company’s music director, Anders Beck of the jam band Greensky Bluegrass, curates the line-up of artists who perform sessions onboard and in ports as you island hop around the Caribbean. Jen Murphy

8. Resorts will help you biohack your health span

What’s the trend? Longevity is the latest wellness buzzword thanks to best-selling books such as  Outlive  and the hit Netflix documentary  Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones . Between 2021 and 2022, venture-capital investment in longevity clinics more than doubled from $27 million to $57 million globally, according to analysis from longevity research and media company Longevity.Technology. Now, the science of extending life and optimising health has become the focus at hotels. Blue Zones retreats are the new boot camps and even sybaritic resorts are offering the latest biohacks. Poolside vitamin IV anyone?

Why will it matter in 2024? Since the pandemic, feeling good trumps looking good. “People have become aware of the critical importance of developing a more proactive, preventive approach to health on all levels,” says Karina Stewart, co-founder of Kamalaya, a wellness retreat in Koh Samui, Thailand . This means a new willingness to go beyond diet and exercise and embrace sci-fi-sounding bio-regenerative treatments such as ozone therapy and hyperbaric oxygen chambers, both on offer at Kamalaya's new Longevity House. Luxury hotel brands are embracing the trend too. Six Senses Ibiza recently teamed up with biotech company RoseBar to offer guests full diagnostic testing. Maybourne Hotel Group is collaborating with wellness tech pioneer Virtusan to help guests boost performance. And Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea administers treatments such as stem cells and NAD+ (aka the fountain of youth) through its partnership with Next Health longevity centre. At 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay in Kauai, guests are welcomed with a B12 shot instead of bubbles and the resort’s new wellness-specific rooms come with recovery-boosting mod cons including infrared light mats. If the trend continues, the secret to longevity may be as easy as taking more holidays. Jen Murphy

9. Peak season gets the cold shoulder

What's the trend? There’s been a dramatic recent increase in shoulder season travel to Europe’s most popular destinations (particularly France, Spain, the UK and Italy), which is set to continue in 2024. Luxury travel specialists Original Travel has launched new shoulder season itineraries to locations traditionally in demand during the summer – including the crystalline seascapes of Sardinia and Corsica – after seeing 14 per cent more bookings for September 2023 than for August 2023. Pegi Amarteifio of Small Luxury Hotels of the World shares similar insights. “Comparing phone reservations in 2023 against 2019, we’ve seen a 33 per cent increase for March to May and a 58 per cent increase for September to November, a pattern reflected across our other booking channels too.”

Why will it matter in 2024? A combination of social, economic and environmental factors is driving this trend into 2024. The cost of living crisis means a heightened focus on value. For 62 per cent of respondents to Booking.com’s 2024 travel trends survey, this is a limiting factor for 2024 travel planning, so much so that 47 per cent of respondents are even willing to take children out of school for cheaper off-peak travel. Shoulder season travel is also becoming more attractive due to rising temperatures, and more feasible due to flexible working. Layered on top of these practical considerations is an emotional motivation too: travellers are craving authenticity more than ever, seeking a tranquil, local feel when abroad, rather than Where’s Wally beach scenes. Toyo Odetunde

10. Private group travel

What’s the trend? The post-pandemic desire to gather friends or family and embark on a shared holiday experience shows no sign of abating – in fact, it’s on the increase in luxury travel, as people appreciate the benefits and savour the moment, from 3G family groups to 50-something empty-nesters keen to rekindle life-long friendships. Just don’t take Succession ’s family outing to Tuscany as a role model.

Why will it matter in 2024? “While some predicted group travel would peak post-pandemic, we’ve seen it have a lasting, positive impact with private group bookings continuing to be a dominant trend,” says Tom Marchant of Black Tomato, for whom group travel now accounts for 30 per cent of bookings. The company has just launched its See You in the Moment series to cater for the demand: it uses a mood board of over 35 experiences themed around key flash points, from The Meal (a backcountry feast served on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, for example) to The Challenge (rafting down the Apurímac in Peru, perhaps), all designed to create lasting memories. For Scott Williams, meanwhile, multi-generational travellers are thinking big: why take one house when you can take a whole estate, such as Meli on Paxos in the Greek Islands, which sleeps 17? Other groups are taking to the water, with Red Savannah reporting an increase in bookings for Turkish gulets, Egyptian dahabiyas and Indonesian phinisis. Scott Dunn have seen an increase in bookings amongst groups of friends, with 30 per cent of respondents in a recent survey saying they were planning trips for 2024 that included ski trips to France, adventure travel in South and Central America, and beach breaks on Antigua and Barbados. Empty-nesters are also a growing force, with groups of couples in their 50s to 70s hiring villas in the shoulder season for cultural weeks away, and all-female groups – mainly aged between 50 and 65 – who are proactive in wanting to renew long-term friendships. “We had one repeat group that included several cancer survivors,” says Sarah-Leigh Shenton at Red Savannah. “A hammam afternoon in Turkey was a deeply bonding experience and they’ve since travelled to Jordan and Sicily together.” Rick Jordan

11. AI aims to be your sidekick

What's the trend? Early last year, after OpenAI’s ChatGPT broke the record as the fastest-ever growing consumer app, travellers started playing around with AI chatbots to get inspiration on where they could go. More recently, major travel booking platforms have started to integrate AI chatbots into the booking experience. But if 2023 was the year of AI chatbots wanting to plan your trips, 2024 will be all about how AI aspires to be your travel sidekick. A wave of new AI-powered features and products aims to support travellers on the ground – all while raising concerns around the potential negative impacts as AI becomes more widely integrated with our travels.

Why will it matter in 2024? AI will start to make more real-time interventions in our travels in 2024. One practical example is live translation , which Samsung plans to launch on its 2024 Galaxy devices. Imagine calling somewhere you want to visit to get information without worrying about whether staff speak the same language as you. Another example is greater AI personalisation in popular apps you already use. Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has recently touted the company's increasing use of personalised AI algorithms , which will learn about your habits and make suggestions based on what you’re doing. For the true early adopters, real-time travel interventions could also mean ditching your screen entirely and clipping a screenless personal translator and travel assistant to your chest. This is the unusual idea behind the new talking and projecting AI Pin from Humane , a start-up backed by investors including OpenAI’s Sam Altman, that promises to function a bit like the universal translator from Star Trek . Will anyone want to actually wear the pin or will it go the way of previously hyped devices such as Google Glass? It certainly raises a host of ethical questions about privacy and data protection. Yet the more that AI products successfully help in addressing on-the-go problems, the more travellers will come to rely on them too. JD Shadel

12. Skip-gen travel

What’s the trend? Skip-gen travel describes when grandparents holiday with grandchildren, in other words, "skipping" a generation. “In the past few months, I've had around twice as many enquiries as usual for grandchild/grandchild bookings,” says Clio Wood, founder of family retreat company &Breathe . “There’s been a rising trend of grandparents taking their grandchildren away,” agrees Ollie Summers, Head of Sales at bespoke operator Scott Dunn . “Often to places that have a sentimental meaning to them.”

Why will it matter in 2024? Several travel agencies have created itineraries to cater specifically for this demand in 2024. “Skip-gen safaris are emerging as a micro-trend from the UK, reflecting a niche traveller group now well established in the US luxury market,” says Liane Goldring of Mahlatini Luxury Travel . “The grandparents are usually in their 70s and still active enough to fully embrace a fully guided safari adventure.” Original Travel, meanwhile, has relaunched its Bonding Holidays Collection , featuring trips focussed on discovering something new together, such as its 14-day Family Ranching itinerary in the American West. Some of this growth can be attributed to big-ticket lockdown promises coming to fruition. Now, amid the UK’s cost of living crisis, parents are also keen to make the most of the time and childcare support of their typically baby boomer, more comfortably retired parents. Plus, the global ratio of living grandparents to grandchildren is higher than ever, thanks to a combined increase in life expectancy and drop in the number of children per person. We’re even said to be living in the "the age of the grandparent". Don’t expect this trend – or your grandparents – to slow down anytime soon. Becky Lucas

Glamorous train travel | Illustration: Milagros Pico

13. Train travel gets glam

What’s the trend? Rising climate consciousness has fuelled a rail travel revival, the luxury train niche is reaching new heights of popularity, extravagance and ambition. Travel booking platforms are reporting growing demand for luxury rail trips , where the journey is, yes, the destination. In fact, new design-forward train lines increasingly rival the finest hotels for the culinary experiences and bells and whistles on offer.

Why will it matter in 2024? A new wave of rail lines and itineraries launching in 2024 puts an emphasis on deeper immersion into the culture and landscapes of the destinations, which are more and more off the beaten track. Responding to growing demand for luxury train travel among its user base, specialist platform Railbookers plans to launch arguably the most geographically extensive and expensive luxury train itinerary around. With prices per person starting at $113,599, the 80-day Around the World by Luxury Train voyage will cross four continents and 13 countries. Beginning in August, the slow journey will string together existing luxury rail trips including Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Jasper and India’s Maharajas Express from Delhi to Mumbai. In Asia, the previously paused Eastern & Oriental Express is making a grand comeback starting in February, with carriages getting an upscale revamp and its legendary route being retraced through Malaysia's landscapes. Meanwhile, Japan is a hot destination for its scenic train journeys such as the exclusive Train Suite Shiki-shima, which quickly closed applications for its 2024 trips due to demand. And in Europe, six new train lines will commence or terminate in Rome under Accor's La Dolce Vita umbrella, with suites designed by starchitects Dimorestudio, building on the cultural legacy of the famous Orient Express . JD Shadel

14. Restaurateur-owned hotels

What’s the trend? Restaurants and hotels are the two linchpins of the hospitality industry. And naturally, the two are often intertwined on one premises. Until recently, though, most hotels weren’t started or owned by restaurateurs. Yet as food-focused travel keeps increasing, with people hankering for the next hot reservation and planning entire trips around discovering a culture through its food, it makes sense that restaurateurs are adding hotelier to their CVs – and ensuring their new properties have impressive food offerings. We’d be remiss not to mention Nobu, which began as a restaurant in 1994 and in 2013 launched its global hotel brand, as a harbinger of the trend.

Why will it matter in 2024? Just as design brands (RH, West Elm) have opened hotels in recent years, now restaurateurs are getting in on the action. In the USA, restaurateur and 12-time James Beard award nominee Sam Fox has just launched the Global Ambassador in Phoenix, Arizona, with five restaurants. Santa Barbara’s Good Lion Hospitality is relaunching Petit Soleil , a Californian wine country boutique hotel, with a new bar and restaurant slated for next spring. The Lafayette Hotel & Club was debuted last summer in San Diego by Arsalun Tafazoli, founder of a local hospitality group that operates 16 bars and restaurants. The hotel has five restaurants and bars, with two more opening by the end of the year. In Dallas, Harwood International, which owns a dozen or so restaurants in the area, opened Hôtel Swexan in June. In the St Gallen region of Switzerland two hotels were recently added to beloved restaurants: the revamped Mammertsberg  and  Gasthaus Traube . In Slovenia, AS Hotel is a new place to stay launched Sebastjan Raspopović, son of chef Svetozar Raspopović-Pope of renowned restaurant Gostilna AS in Lublijana. Aside from a restaurant by Raspopović-Pope, the hotel has an eatery by Michelin-lauded chef Ana Roš. Finally,  R48 , and its lauded Chef’s Table, was opened in Tel Aviv last spring by R2M Hospitality Group, which also runs restaurants CoffeeBar and Herzl 16. Devorah Lev-Tov

15. Silent travel

What’s the trend? In an age of overstimulation, silence might be just what we need from our travels in 2024. Offering a chance to restore and reset, silent travel represents a more mindful kind of trip, one that doesn’t leave you needing a holiday to recover from your holiday. Silent meditation retreats are an increasingly popular wellness trend, but silent travel also encompasses secluded nature resorts, sleep retreats , quiet hotels , silent walking tours and even silent disco and concert experiences.

Why will it matter in 2024? Saturated with stress and screen time, many of us are looking for ways to disconnect. The silent walking trend that recently took TikTok by storm reflects a growing impulse to escape the noise of our tech-fuelled lives and embrace the quiet, with promising implications for wellbeing. One 2015 study suggests silence may help to stimulate brain development, while another found that two minutes of silence during or after relaxing music increased the music's calming effects. With the Global Wellness Institute forecasting a 21 per cent increase in wellness tourism in the next two years, what better counter to the chaos of our always-on lives than silence? Silent travel is also part of a move towards more sustainable tourism. Quiet Parks International , for example, offers unique nature experiences in dedicated quiet spaces, reducing noise pollution for the surrounding wildlife. Silent travel opportunities abound in 2024. Kick off the year with a silent retreat in Portugal (with Innate ) or Italy (with Mandali ). More adventurous silent-seekers can trek the peaceful Japanese Kumano Kodo trail, or explore Finland’s Arctic landscape with a Silence & Nature Tour . For a tailor-made silent experience, Black Tomato’s Blink camp offers luxury accommodation in the world’s most remote settings, while its Get Lost programme promises to help you find yourself by getting lost in a far-flung location. Tasha Kleeman

16. Urban gardens

What’s the trend? Never mind the biophilic office and those pot plants you forget to water: whole cities are going green as architects and planners create leafy microclimates amid the grey concrete to help keep us cooler, connect communities and even feed us.

Why will it matter in 2024? Having trees and gardens in our cities is a pretty good idea. King Nebuchadnezzar certainly thought so, which is why his Hanging Gardens of Babylon made it into travel’s first-ever bucket list – the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – back in the 2nd century BC. Nowadays planting trees creates much-needed shade, stores carbon and increases biodiversity, but it also makes our cityscapes so much nicer. While Valencia, an early adopter of urban greening with its 12km-long Turia Garden in 1986, is the 2024 European Green Capital, France is busy planting trees like there’s no tomorrow: go to Paris for the 2024 Olympics and you’ll spot budding new forests growing in Place du Colonel-Fabien, Place de Catalogne and in the Charonne district, while Bordeaux’s Grandeur Nature project includes urban cooling islands, micro-forests and rain gardens. All of which will doubtless be discussed at the ISHS Green Cities 2024 symposium, hosted by RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey, England, in September. Meanwhile, on Cyprus – an island that experienced temperatures of 44℃ in 2023 – the new Salina Park opens in time for summer shade in the seaside city of Larnaca. In Brazil, Rio’s Hortas Cariocas is a groundbreaking achievement that will be completed by the end of 2024: the largest urban vegetable garden in the world, connecting 56 community gardens across favelas and schools. And in London, the £1-billion Google building in King’s Cross will show just what can be done with one structure. Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, the "landscraper" – only 11 storeys high but stretching out longer than the Shard is tall – is hoped to provide a blueprint for future urban projects: running along the rooftop is a multi-level garden, with wildflowers, lawns and decked seating areas, set with more than 55,000 plants and 250 trees. Can you dig it? Rick Jordan

17. Back-of-house tours

What’s the trend? Greener hotels giving us a look behind the scenes to show us – not just tell us – they're sustainable. We don't mean a look-see at solar panels or composting, but heart-lifting experiential tours that help us appreciate why it matters to support socio-economic uplift through tourism. In South America, Blue Apple Beach invites visitors to get up close and personal with the community work it does in Colombia through its impact fund. Founder Portia Hart wanted more than token-gesture carbon offsetting, where locals themselves could decide how money was spent. In Africa, guests of the Bushcamp Company contribute to initiatives through the Luangwa Conservation and Community Fund. A popular excursion in Zambia is visiting the boreholes that are installed with outreach funds. Each pump provides fresh drinking water to hundreds of people a day, and visitors who spend time with those gathered get a very tangible insight into how such provisions funded by hospitality can literally change lives in regions most affected by a warming planet.

Why will it matter in 2024? Transparency is on the up as the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive comes into force and greenwashing is coming close to being officially outlawed. A year of droughts, floods and heatwaves also reminds us we need to make better-informed choices in our travel planning – and all the better if we can also get a crash course in the science and sociology of positive impact. Experiences that go beyond explaining responsible practices, but demonstrate a deep respect for communities on the climate-change frontlines and help make their challenges relatable to visitors are especially helpful. Juliet Kinsman

18. Wild feasting

What’s the trend? Have you ever noticed how food always tastes better outdoors? But in today’s modern world many of us are more used to eating a sandwich while staring at a screen. Wild feasting describes the trend for beautifully curated culinary experiences in natural environments with the incorporation of hyper-local and foraged ingredients. In Sweden, for example, you can tap into a network of do-it-yourself outdoor restaurants where you book a table in a scenic location, search for nettles, birch leaves, lingonberries and trumpet chanterelles, and then cook them on an open fire according to a recipe card provided by a Michelin-grade chef.

Why will it matter in 2024? A greater range of wild feasting opportunities will give urbanites a chance to properly connect over food. Leading the way is Noah Ellis, founder of the UK's Nomadic Dinners. “Since launching in 2018, we experienced compounded year-on-year growth for our feasting and foraging experiences,” he says. In 2024 he will be hosting a new series of fire feasts, including one set among the bluebells. Also tapping into the zeitgeist is TikTok star Alexis Nikole Nelson (aka the Black Forager) who will publish a book about wild food in 2024. And don’t forget, 2024 is the last year you will be able to eat at Copenhagen’s legendary, foraging-focused restaurant Noma before it turns into a test kitchen and closes to the public. Another innovator is Holmen Lofoten’s Kitchen On The Edge Of The World series in the Norwegian Arctic Circle, where guests can participate in four nights of wild feasts cooked by top chefs. In 2024, these will include Lennox Hastie, José Pizarro and Heidi Bjerkan. Ingunn Rasmussen, owner of Holmen Lofoten, says: “Now, as when we were little kids, gathering around a bonfire in the wilderness, sharing stories, feasting under the stars in these magical, remote surroundings is one of the absolute highlights, both for our guests and for us.” Jenny Southan

19. Plan-free travel

What's the trend? Saying no to endless scrolling to plan every inch of a trip, and saying yes to spontaneity instead. The power of the algorithm-spawned era of Fomo travel is waning, with those once secret spots made Insta-famous becoming tired and cookie-cutter, and the drive to plan a trip around them losing momentum. The rising counter movement is travel with no plans at all.

Why will it matter in 2024? The plan-free appeal is going one step further in 2024. Booking.com recently reported that 50 per cent of UK travellers want to book a surprise trip in 2024, where everything, even the destination, is unknown until arrival. And it’s possible to do it via travel companies such as Black Tomato, whose Get Lost service offers customers the ability to simply select a preferred environment – polar, jungle, desert, mountain or coastal – and leave its team decide everything else. “While we launched Get Lost several years ago, post-pandemic we’ve seen a notable and rising uptick in bookings and enquiries,” says Black Tomato co-founder Tom Marchant. Journee offers a similar surprise element, with travellers only finding out where they’re going at the airport. The service, which includes a full itinerary and access to a team via Whatsapp, is particularly popular with solo female travellers, while overall demand has grown so much that the London-based brand recently launched trips in the USA. Lauren Burvill

20. Frontier tourism

What’s the trend? To go above and beyond. Or below and under. As crossings of the tumultuous Drake Passage to Antarctica rack up millions of TikTok views and traffic jams form on Everest, canny travellers are seeking more individual, less obvious experiences that combine thrill-seeking with more meaningful self-empowerment.

Why will it matter in 2024? One person’s frontier is another’s backyard, of course, so frontiers are entirely subjective here. For some, this could mean being the first to camp under the stars in a remote landscape, or hike an ancient pilgrimage trail that’s been off the map for centuries. It’s still possible to bag a rare place on a Kamba African Rainforest Experience in the Republic of the Congo, being one of just 12 people to explore a game park the size of Belgium. Black Tomato, meanwhile, is designing an intrepid new expedition to the remote Mitre Peninsula in Argentina, along with a trip in Peru navigating the Sacred Valley of the Incas by raft. “This sort of adventure goes beyond bragging rights and is more akin to self-empowerment and the gratification of pushing our own horizons,” says Black Tomato co-founder Tom Marchant. The Ultimate Travel Company is also heading to Peru, a country repositioning itself for luxury travellers, with stays at Puqio, its first tented exploration camp,, in the remote Colca Valley in the Southern Peruvian Andes. Wilderness camping is also pegging out fresh terrain in Kyrgyzstan, with yurt stays on the steppes trending for 2024, according to Wild Frontiers, as is Mongolia; while Albania, Mongolia, Pakistan and the Empty Quarter of Oman are all on the radar for an increasing number of travellers. And while the space-age pods of White Desert have already sold out for New Year’s Eve 2024 and 2025, latter-day frontiersfolk can take the path less travelled and explore the frozen continent’s southern coast (99 per cent of visitors go from South America to the northwest) with The Ultimate Travel Company’s new Ross Sea cruises, seeing the Ross Ice Shelf and Transantarctic Mountains. Don’t forget to pack your penknife. Rick Jordan

First published on CNT UK.

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3 Ways Local and Domestic Trends Will Shape the Future of Travel

Publicis Sapient + Skift

July 22nd, 2021 at 10:00 AM EDT

Covid-19 has redefined how many consumers think about travel, which has given rise to new opportunities for the industry. Amidst a flood of short-term local and domestic demand, travel brands will have to navigate long-term changes to how they operate.

Publicis Sapient

This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner.

The travel industry is no stranger to upheaval and disruption, and brands are well attuned to pivoting business practices when unexpected scenarios arise. In the past 20 years, travel companies have faced complete reinvention amidst changing rules, regulations, and consumer sentiments due to 9/11, the rise of online and mobile booking, and the financial crisis.

Then came Covid-19. Public health restrictions influenced behaviors for those who did choose to travel — prioritizing family visits, balancing work and vacation, or emphasizing remote, outdoor activities — and any movement almost always occurred within their own borders .

With these trends expected to continue as travel demand increases sharply in 2021, the next few months will remain anything but business as usual and still far from a new normal. In this environment, travel brands will need to be creative, but calculated, to meet the influx of pent-up demand, enjoying the excitement of reopening while ensuring their business is running smoothly and sustainably.

“There is an opportunity now to meet new demand and build loyal relationships,” said Nick Shay, vice president of Technology & Hospitality at Publicis Sapient. “What travel brands do now and how they treat customers will fuel a longer-term recovery and help support longer goals around growth — if they do it in the right way.”

Publicis Sapient and SkiftX collaborated on this analysis of three key trends that will dominate the landscape for the next few months and into 2022, identifying how travel brands can strategically take advantage of changing traveler sentiments during recovery and optimize their operations for the future.

NATIONAL TRAVEL WINS OVER INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL, AT LEAST FOR NOW

An uptick in leisure travel and local demand was expected to come first as the pandemic wave eased, but further waves and lockdown restrictions have made even local demand difficult to anticipate.

According to Skift’s latest U.S. Travel Tracker survey, 42.3 percent of Americans traveled in May 2021. This was 2 percentage points higher than in February 2020, prior to the pandemic, and 4.5 percentage points higher than October 2020, the peak of last year’s demand roller coaster.

However, just 1.9 percent of all trips were international in May 2021, compared to 7.9 percent in January 2020, before news began to break about Covid-19, borders closed, and cancellations of international events began.

While international travel remains down, people are flying domestically again. According to flight-tracking website RadarBox.com , the number of daily domestic flights in China have been exceeding 2019 levels since March of this year. The first week of July saw 11,539 daily flights, compared with 10,659 daily flights for the same week in 2019.

“In the short-term at least, people just want to leave their homes and their cities rather than leave their countries,” said Shay. “A change of scenery is a big demand driver right now.”

In general, the local and domestic trend has been driven by travel restrictions, and there’s good news for destinations that have seen increased popularity: That demand is not going away. But travel is not a zero-sum game, and what is domestic today will be global in due time.

“A desire to explore, get away from it all, or switch off digitally doesn’t start and end within your own borders,” said Shay. “If you’re an international traveler, you’re going to be an international traveler again as soon as you are able.”

GOVERNMENTS WILL PLAY A GREATER ROLE IN SHAPING RECOVERY

Over the last few months, we have started to see how different government policies and tactics have been employed to stimulate demand. A recent report by KPMG highlighted that if Australians could be convinced to spend 70 percent of their international travel budget domestically, then the tourism market could tread water through the pandemic.

Diverting overseas spend to the domestic market is not going away anytime soon, and the largest markets such as the U.S. and China have an advantage here.

According to the UN’s World Tourism Organisation (WTO), Chinese tourists spent $254.6 billion overseas in 2019, accounting for almost one-fifth of global tourism spending. By keeping its borders closed, it has diverted much of that spend locally. China has seen a record number of domestic flights this year. In March, for example, Macau welcomed the largest number of visitors from the mainland since before the pandemic.

This may be good news for domestic businesses, but not all markets can survive without overseas tourists. In these cases, the only option is to innovate their way to safely reopening borders.

For example, Thailand’s tourism industry is particularly reliant on overseas visitors, but is struggling with its own vaccination program. But by creating a sandbox on the island of Phuket and prioritizing the vaccination of its islanders, it has been able to reopen to overseas visitors who are fully vaccinated and want to stay on the island.

“This level of government intervention is something that we will see for some time to come,” Shay said. “A previously silent partner to the industry has woken up and is now key to its recovery.”

While something like this can stimulate recovery, the rapidly changing conditions of the pandemic can still bring about unsettlement. Spare a thought for the numerous businesses that have re-hired staff, only to be told they need to hold off or change the way they operate, again.

“The key for travel brands is digital flexibility and agility, because it is difficult to predict what’s coming next,” said Shay. “We’re helping our clients rapidly adapt their service models to accommodate more contactless interactions and make more use of their direct channels to provide up-to-date information, more booking options, modifications, and refunds. Safety may have been the primary driver here, but removing friction points and improving the overall experience is happening along the way.”

DIGITAL ACCELERATION WILL FUEL BOTH DOMESTIC AND OVERSEAS TRAVEL

There is plenty of evidence that immersive experiences and virtual reality will play a role in the future of travel, and these trends picked up steam during Covid-19. While those technologies might not be popular enough to become the new normal in this upcycle, digital acceleration has already affected travel and hospitality in other ways.

According to research conducted by Publicis Sapient and Adobe , 65 percent of leaders in the dining sector are seeing significant or tremendous gaps in their current digital offerings. Now, businesses are rethinking their digital roadmaps to understand how to best transform in preparation for a fast-changing future.

In the travel space, Israel launched, scrapped, and is now contemplating reintroducing its “Green Pass” vaccine passport, all in the space of three months. The EU Digital COVID Certificate is now live in 27 member states, and other nations are trialing varying solutions to achieve the same goal of opening up travel, tourism, and hospitality. By way of contrast, it took 20 years for the widespread adoption of the biometric passport.

“The debates we are hearing around the use of health passports and the associated infringement of civil liberties will continue,” said Shay. “But the inconvenient truth is that digital proof of health is key to reopening travel, tourism, and hospitality services safely.”

Shifts in the way we work brought on by the pandemic will also push new travel trends ahead. Last year, many businesses functioned successfully as their offices closed and employees worked from home. It is now likely we will see changing policies around remote work moving forward, which also presents opportunities for the industry.

Some companies — Google being one notable example — are explicitly building in “workation” policies. In an email to employees , CEO Sundar Pichai said that all employees would be allowed up to four “work-from-anywhere” weeks, which is exactly what it sounds like. “The goal here is to give everyone more flexibility around summer and holiday travel,” he wrote.

These types of policies supporting workations will lead to extended trips and additional bookings. That could mean an exotic vacation rental, or it could mean a week-long spa retreat at a nice hotel close to home — whatever work-life balance looks like to that person.

THE UPSHOT: HOW TO BALANCE SHORT-TERM GAINS WITH LONG-TERM GOALS

The intensity of the rebound, while welcomed, has caused an uneven effect in recovery. Travel companies are treading a fine line, in some cases having to resist the urge to open their doors wider amidst staff shortages, operational hurdles, and continued public health restrictions as Covid-19 rages in parts of the world and simmers, ready to boil over again, in others.

The balance in some parts lies in pragmatism, though restraint will be difficult after a terrible year for companies and consumers alike. For example, American Airlines announced route cutbacks to make sure that they could safely meet local demand in a way that gets back to a solid growth. While the decision wasn’t the most popular in the court of public opinion, predictable growth is preferable for long-term financials, and consistent service will bode better for customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Consumers recognize that the combination of high local demand and inventory and labor shortages will lead to price increases, but the fine line between economic opportunity and gouging isn’t always easy to see or communicate.

“Some companies are clearly benefiting in the short-term. And why not? They need to recover,” said Shay. “But they need to think very carefully about their pricing strategy and how they engage with their customers both now and in the future.”

Today’s travelers need more information, reassurance, booking flexibility, and fewer risks when it comes to booking travel . Brands can meet these needs by establishing more meaningful and direct relationships with customers and reducing reliance on third parties.

As Shay explained, “Sometimes you have to keep moving forward with the bigger business goals, regardless of what’s happening in the short-term. The pandemic has shown that the need for a mature, yet agile, digital capability that enables new levels of customer-centricity is as relevant today as it will be for building better tomorrow.”

This content was created collaboratively by Publicis Sapient and Skift’s branded content studio, SkiftX .

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Tags: covid-19 , domestic travel , government , pandemic , publicis sapient , SkiftX Showcase: Consulting

31 Cutting-Edge Travel Trends To Expect For 2024

Embark on a journey into 2024 with an array of exciting trends that will redefine the travel experience. From Gen AI’s rise to the allure of Spanish landscapes, delve into sustainability, tech-infused experiences, and the beats of music tourism. Join us for a casual exploration of these trends, promising a fresh perspective on your upcoming adventures.

Discover the subtle whispers of the future in travel and get ready for a year of exciting changes with these trends encapsulating the fusion of technology, changing consumer values, and a profound desire for novel and sustainable adventures.

1. Sustainable Wanderlust

Sustainability takes center stage as eco-conscious choices permeate every facet of travel. The momentum behind sustainable accommodations and transportation reflects a collective commitment to minimizing the environmental impact of globetrotting .

A paradigm shift towards conscious consumerism is reshaping the very foundations of the travel sector, ushering in an era where the footprint of each journey matters.

2. Tech-Infused Experiences

The marriage of technology and travel reaches new heights. Augmented reality becomes a transformative force, offering immersive experiences at every destination. AI steps into the role of a personalized travel companion, shaping recommendations based on individual preferences.

Meanwhile, smart travel gadgets , from luggage innovations to wearable tech, weave a seamless tapestry of convenience, efficiency, and connectivity.

3. Local Immersion

Travelers are veering away from the trodden path, seeking genuine, offbeat experiences that delve into the heart of local culture. Community-driven travel initiatives gain prominence, fostering a symbiotic relationship where locals actively shape the traveler’s narrative.

Beyond offering unique experiences, this trend becomes a catalyst for economic growth in local communities and the preservation of cultural authenticity.

Related read: Annapurna Community trek, Nepal

4. Health and Wellness Journeys

The definition of travel broadens to encompass not just destinations but holistic well-being. Wellness-focused itineraries emerge, intertwining travel with mindfulness and fitness.

Travelers embark on journeys that rejuvenate both the body and mind , signaling a departure from conventional sightseeing to a more profound and enriching exploration of self and surroundings.

5. Virtual Travel and Meta-Tourism

A revolutionary shift occurs as virtual reality becomes an integral part of travel exploration. Digital experiences act as a prelude to physical travel, enabling individuals to traverse the globe and exploring destinations like Italy , Southern India , or Thailand from the comfort of their homes.

The traditional travel narrative undergoes a metamorphosis, blurring the lines between real and virtual experiences, offering a taste of destinations before setting foot on foreign soil.

6. Music and Sports Tourism: A Cultural Phenomenon

2024 marks a surge in sports and music tourism, fueled by once-in-a-lifetime events.

The Olympic Games return to Paris, the UEFA European Football Championship to Germany, and Super Bowl LVII to Las Vegas .

In this vibrant landscape, GO Sport Travel stands out as the premier destination for those seeking exclusive sporting experiences and matchday breaks across Europe. As a one-stop shop, GO Sport Travel provides unparalleled access to premier allocations at all major European football leagues, Formula One races, tennis majors, and Moto GP events.

On the other hand, Expedia predicts the rise of “tour tourism” after the success of major concert tours in 2023 and the sustained upward trajectory of music festivals .

The Libertines’ tour and the connection with The Albion Rooms showcase the fusion of music and accommodation. Gen Z and travelers express a strong inclination toward concert attendance and overseas music experiences in 2024.

7. Culinary Adventures

Culinary tourism keeps taking center stage, with a fusion of global flavors and a celebration of local gastronomy.

Social media’s influence on foodie culture propels travelers to embark on journeys where the culinary narrative is as rich and diverse as the destinations themselves.

Last but not least, unique dining experiences become a pivotal factor in shaping travel itineraries.

8. Retro Travel Revival

A nostalgia-driven wave sweeps across travel experiences. Travelers revisit classic destinations and activities, drawn by the allure of vintage aesthetics in a modern context.

This trend taps into a longing for the timeless, infusing a sense of nostalgia into every journey and redefining what it means to explore the world.

Van life read: A journey through Northern Spain in our vintage motorhome

9. Adventure Tourism 2.0

Adventure takes a futuristic turn, with extreme and unconventional travel activities rising. Technology intertwines with adventure tourism, offering experiences that push boundaries.

The very definition of adventure evolves, inviting modern travelers to embrace the thrill of the unknown and explore uncharted territories.

10. Wellness Retreats in Unconventional Settings

The pursuit of well-being extends to unconventional locations as wellness retreats break free from traditional confines .

Nature and the great outdoors become the backdrop for rejuvenation, marrying the serenity of untouched landscapes with curated well-being experiences.

Offbeat destinations and unique glamping accommodations beckon those seeking solace and a holistic escape.

11. Mental Wellness Travel

In response to the growing importance of mental health, travel experiences are crafted to enhance overall well-being .

Destinations promoting relaxation and stress relief gain prominence, catering to a traveler’s mental health needs.

Mindfulness practices are seamlessly integrated into travel itineraries, offering a holistic approach to self-care on the road .

12. Space Tourism

A new frontier opens with the dawn of commercial space travel. Travelers venture beyond Earth’s boundaries, experiencing zero gravity and even contemplating orbital stays.

The emergence of space tourism heralds a transformative era in travel, as individuals prepare to explore the cosmos and redefine the very essence of a celestial journey.

13. Cultural Exchange Programs

Immersive cultural exchange takes center stage, urging travelers to go beyond sightseeing. Living with local families, participating in daily life, and engaging in cultural traditions become integral to the travel experience.

This trend fosters cross-cultural understanding, transforming travel into a powerful tool for global connection.

14. Inclusive and Accessible Travel

A commitment to inclusivity shapes travel experiences, with a rising tide of options catering to all abilities.

Accommodations, transportation, and attractions embrace accessibility , ensuring that travel becomes an enriching experience for everyone.

The importance of inclusivity reverberates throughout the travel industry , paving the way for a more diverse and welcoming landscape.

15. Educational Tourism

Beyond traditional study abroad programs, educational tourism gains momentum. Travelers seek learning experiences beyond the classroom , participating in skill development retreats and educational vacations.

The integration of learning into travel itineraries reflects a desire for intellectual growth and personal enrichment.

16. Customized Travel Experiences

The era of hyper-personalized travel has arrived, offering bespoke itineraries tailored to individual preferences. Artificial Intelligence plays a pivotal role in creating highly personalized travel plans, ensuring every journey is a unique and tailored experience.

The traveler becomes the focal point, with customized experiences shaping the future of travel.

17. Spontaneity Rules: The Decline of Lengthy Planning

A paradigm shift occurs as spontaneous trips gain popularity, challenging the tradition of long-term travel planning .

Last-minute bookings surge, with Spain emerging as a hotbed for spontaneous travel . Forbes and Hopper validate the trend, showcasing a shift toward impromptu getaways.

The connection between spontaneous travel and increased happiness is highlighted by Skyscanner. The evolving travel landscape embraces unpredictability, marking 2024 as the year where spontaneity rules.

18. Heritage Tourism

In an era of rediscovery and cultural appreciation, heritage tourism takes center stage. Travelers are drawn to the rich tapestry of historical sites, aiming to understand their cultural roots better.

The intersection of heritage and sustainable tourism becomes evident as visitors explore and preserve cultural landmarks. This trend fosters a deeper connection between travelers and the historical narratives embedded in the places they visit.

19. Solo Travel for Connection

Solo travel undergoes a transformation beyond individual exploration, evolving into a means of connecting with oneself and others.

Group activities and networking opportunities specifically designed for solo travelers gain prevalence , fostering a sense of community on the road.

Destinations actively work to create environments that cater to solo adventurers, promoting both self-discovery and social engagement.

20. Immersive Sustainability: Beyond Greenwashing

Sustainability transcends trend status to become an essential element of the travel industry.

Booking.com’s survey underscores a growing demand for accommodations with innovative sustainability features. Properties worldwide actively embrace initiatives such as marine reserves and eco-friendly construction .

Exemplifying immersive sustainability are eviivo Collective’s Desert Harbor and Rachel’s Farm, committed to eco-friendly practices . The industry witnesses a surge in EV charger installations, reflecting a broader commitment to sustainable practices.

21. Digital Detox Travel

As the digital age advances, the need for a break from technology becomes integral to travel experiences. Digital detox travel emerges as a trend where travelers consciously unplug from digital distractions.

Destinations promoting an escape from the constant connectivity of modern life offer serene environments conducive to relaxation, emphasizing the positive impact of disconnecting on mental well-being during travel.

22. Extreme Luxury Travel

Beyond conventional notions of luxury, extreme luxury travel takes center stage, offering exclusive and high-end experiences.

Discerning travelers seek unparalleled services in exotic locations, pushing the boundaries of opulence. The pursuit of unique, extraordinary, and personalized travel encounters becomes a driving force, redefining the benchmarks for luxury in the travel industry.

In navigating this realm, a critical challenge surfaces: to determine whether luxury travel can be sustainable at all . As we embark on this journey, contemplating the seamless integration of opulence with environmental responsibility, the question arises: what steps and innovations are needed to harmonize these seemingly contrasting elements?

23. Civic Engagement Travel

Travel becomes a transformative force for good as civic engagement – the active participation of individuals in the political, economic, and social life of their communities – travel gains prominence.

Travelers actively seek experiences with a focus on community service and volunteering, contributing to local projects and initiatives .

The impact of travel extends beyond personal enrichment to actively shaping and supporting the communities visited, emphasizing the role of travelers as agents of positive change.

24. Amenities: The New Booking Currency

Unique and compelling amenities redefine the competitive landscape in 2024. 7744 Ranch sets a benchmark with its upscale glamping experience featuring celebrity-owned trailers. Kenny Hawskworth, owner of Barnston Group, elevates guest experiences with high-end fitness bars and festive embellishments.

Amenities play a pivotal role in capturing travelers’ imagination and placing destinations on the map.

HospitalityNet predicts a trend of developers investing in wow-factor concepts, further emphasizing the importance of unique offerings.

25. Gen AI: A Revolution Unleashed

The travel technology landscape witnessed a revolutionary shift with the emergence of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI).

Gen AI, the evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI), reshapes user experiences in the travel sector. ChatGPT’s impact in 2023 acts as a catalyst, paving the way for the integration of Gen AI.

The transformative power of Generative AI goes beyond traditional AI boundaries, enabling personalized and adaptive interactions.

26. Spain: Beyond Tourism to Residency

Spain takes the spotlight in 2024, not just as a tourist destination but as a sought-after location for permanent residence according to Forbes . Malaga, Alicante, and Valencia secure top spots in global city rankings, with Malaga leading the charge.

The tech boom positions Malaga as Spain’s tech capital, attracting industry giants like Google and Oracle. The allure of Spain extends beyond tourism, driven by remote work opportunities , stunning beaches, and a thriving cityscape.

Barcelona adds to Spain’s appeal, securing a spot in Resonance’s Best Cities of 2024.

27. Pet-Friendly Travel

The bond between humans and their pets extends to travel, as the trend of pet-friendly travel continues to grow.

Accommodations and transportation services increasingly cater to the needs of traveling pet owners, recognizing the importance of including furry companions and ESAs ( Emotional Support Animals ) in the travel experience.

Destinations embracing pet-friendly initiatives become sought-after by a demographic seeking seamless travel with their beloved animals.

28. Dynamic Travel Subscription Services

A new paradigm in travel emerges with the advent of dynamic travel subscription services. Subscription-based models for travel services have gained popularity, providing travelers with personalized subscription plans for regular getaways.

The convenience and flexibility offered by subscription-based travel services redefine the traditional approach to travel, allowing individuals to curate their travel experiences seamlessly.

29. Micro-Cations

Recognizing the changing dynamics of travel, micro-cations gain traction as short, focused getaways become increasingly popular.

After the staycation boom , travelers are now looking to maximize experiences within a limited timeframe, opting for frequent shorter vacations over traditional lengthy trips. Their major attraction is the ability to refresh quickly.

30. Vacation Rentals: A New Era in Accommodation

The vacation rental market witnesses unparalleled growth, projecting a market volume of $107.7 billion by 2027.

Pandemic-driven changes position vacation rentals as preferable alternatives. A balanced coexistence with traditional hospitality emerges, with full-service offerings regaining popularity.

The luxury of space, privacy, and unique amenities redefines the accommodation experience, further solidifying vacation rentals as a dominant force in the industry.

And guess what? We added a touch of Galician charm to Airbnb last summer with our very own cottage . Curious? Check it out!

31. Borderless Work and Travel

The concept of a traditional office dissolves as work and leisure intertwine. Digital nomads, armed with laptops and a thirst for exploration, redefine the work environment .

Remote work-friendly destinations witness a surge in popularity, reshaping not only office culture but also the very essence of workcations and business travel worldwide.

In conclusion, the landscape of travel in 2024 is shaped by an intricate interplay of cutting-edge trends. From sustainability and tech-infused experiences to immersive sustainability and dynamic travel subscription services, each trend contributes to a transformative journey for both travelers and the industry.

As we navigate the year ahead, these trends underscore not only the evolving preferences of travelers but also the industry’s adaptability and commitment to shaping a more diverse, sustainable, and enriching travel experience.

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This Year's Top Spring Break Travel Trends

By Rachel Chang

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The countdown to spring break has officially begun in the US. The hotly-anticipated travel period can mean a lot of different things to different people—from classic college party-goers and ultimate family vacationers to couples and solo travelers looking to escape the winter chill. But one thing that’s certain in 2024 is that spring break is no longer limited to one type of traveler, nor just one week of the year.

Due to the various holiday schedules between schools and regions, as well as the increased flexibility of remote work, the peak periods of spring break travel have extended within the months of March and April. Meanwhile, “weather around the country has been so volatile and unpredictable, many people want to simply get away to warmer weather for spring break to soak up the sun and recharge their batteries” even if they don’t have any designated time off, American Automobile Association (AAA) Travel Senior Vice President Paula Twidale tells Condé Nast Traveler .

While this year’s spring breakers are following certain past patterns of sunny escapes, new trends have also emerged—including increased interest in cruises, international journeys, and solar eclipse trips . As always, some travelers are intentionally planning around popular destinations and dates in order to find better deals and uncharted experiences. Whether you prefer a viral or an under-the-radar vacation, here are the top spring break trends to know this year, based on data and insights from major travel companies.

AAA data shows a 28% leap in cruise bookings for March and April compared to last year.

Florida cruise vacations are on the rise

To get away from the dreary climate, Americans are dreaming of sunny getaways, paired with pools, beaches, and outdoor activities. “Cruise vacations check all those boxes,” Twidale said in a release .

AAA’s data shows a 28% leap in cruise bookings for March and April compared to 2023, including a 60% increase in sailings leaving from South Florida. In fact, many were eager to book those spring break cruises, locking in their reservations earlier than in previous years. As a result, many cruises during this time period are already sold out. Some last-minute deals may still be available, but prices tend to be higher with limited cabin choices.

“Cruising’s popularity just continues to grow," AAA’s Cruise Relations Manager Scott Campbell tells Traveler . “Travelers are recognizing the value and convenience that cruising offers.” But he cautions not to confuse “value” with “deals,” since “the day of cheap cruises is over.” With demand rising, so are prices. Still, Campbell says that in general, cruises are often more affordable than a land-based vacation.

The South Florida ports of Fort Lauderdale and Miami are increasingly popular in part because of the debut of the world’s largest cruise ship Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas in January, which can carry up to 7,600 people every week on Caribbean cruises. Port Canaveral, an hour from Orlando , remains the busiest cruise port on the globe (a title previously held by Port Miami), with more than four million people sailing from there in 2022, Campbell says.

Flight bookings to international destinations are up 20% compared to March and April of last year, according to AAA.

Americans are more willing to venture outside the US

Summer may be the time for major long-haul getaways, but that doesn’t mean that Americans are shying away from using their passports during spring break. Bookings for international flights are up 20% and for hotels are up 37% compared to March and April of last year, AAA Travel said in its spring break forecast .

“Europe has always been a popular destination for spring break, especially for educational touring and for families looking to reunite during the break,” Twidale tells Traveler . Americans are especially drawn towards the capital cities with London , Paris , Rome , Dublin , and Amsterdam , topping the list of AAA’s most popular getaways.

But not everyone is looking to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Flying south to sunnier skies is also a popular choice, particularly to the Caribbean , Barbados , Dominican Republic , and Mexico , she says.

Olivia Morelli

Stacey Lastoe

Maresa Manara

Expedia’s data echoes that, with Paris as its top European destination, but interest in Tokyo also continues to rise, showing that Americans are willing to go the distance during the shorter travel season. “Tokyo has emerged as one of the fastest-growing destinations for US travelers post-pandemic, maintaining an upward trajectory with year-over-year searches soaring by nearly 55% for the second consecutive year,” Expedia Travel Expert Christie Hudson says. The cherry blossoms remain a major draw this time of year for Japan.

The Asia-bound trend is also strong over at Priceline, with bucket-list destinations seeing tremendous search spikes. The online travel site has seen a nearly 400% rise in searches for Hong Kong for the period, as well as 361% to Taipei, Taiwan , and 149% to Bangkok . Its data also shows increased interest in Kyoto, Japan ; Manila, Philippines ; and Singapore .

Pensacola, Florida is a popular and affordable spring break destination.

Travelers are seeking out affordable alternatives

Early spring traditionally is described as one of two shoulder seasons —travel periods between the peak and off-peak seasons when prices are lower, crowds are still thin, but weather is evening out, Priceline’s Consumer Travel Expert Christina Bennett says. (The other is early fall.)

Now travelers are growing even savvier and pairing shoulder season with so-called dupe destinations, which she says is “a new term for more off-the-beaten path destinations that offer the same vibes and experiences as a peak destination.” Another trend is staying in “shoulder cities,” which she describes as a “nearby destination on the outskirts of a tourist hub.” For example, one might stay in Queens or Hoboken, New Jersey, when visiting New York City’s midtown Manhattan. More “moderately priced accommodations can be found in these neighboring locales while travelers can still enjoy easy access to the same vacation highlights,” Bennett explains.

Case in point: Priceline has seen a 20% rise in hotel searches for the shoulder city of Kissimmee, Florida, where hotel rates average $142 a night, compared to the $250 rate in Orlando proper.

By skirting both the peak times and most popular places, “this year’s spring break travelers are seeking ways to save without sacrificing experience,” Bennett says. Trending destinations that fall into this category include Pensacola, Florida; Fresno, California; and Knoxville, Tennessee, according to Priceline’s data.

US travelers are planning domestic getaways around the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.

The solar eclipse is increasing early April demand

While spring break travel traditionally runs the entire months of March and April, this year’s peak weeks are being dictated by the sun—quite literally.

With a total solar eclipse that will be visible from the US, passing from Texas northeast into New York, on April 8, 2024, the rare event is marking the confluence of already busy periods of April 1 to 8. “Historically, this week marks the peak of spring travel activity” in part because of the Easter holiday, Hudson says.

Expedia's data shows rising travel interest in cities that are located in the eclipse’s path of totality. Flight searches for Dallas and Austin have both risen over 90% for the spring period, marking some of the greatest year-over-year growth.

That also means that the week of April 2 will be the most expensive to fly for domestic travelers—and be the busiest for both domestic and international travelers. Meanwhile, March 12 will be the most expensive for international travel, according to Expedia. Budget-conscious travelers should hone in on the week of April 23 for domestic and March 5 for international trips for the lowest prices, Hudson suggests.

The first week of March and the last week of April are more affordable and less-busy spring travel periods.

Spring travel is cheaper this year

Despite the celestial event causing a shift, overall spring travel is cheaper this year. Airfare in March is 3% less than last year, and April is 8% less, according to Kayak's spring break forecast.

In March, the cheapest domestic getaways include Baltimore with $265 average airfare, Nashville with $277, and Chicago with $288, while international ones are all on the continent: Toronto with $303 average airfare; Guadalajara, Mexico with $336; and Montreal with $361. In April, the best US deals are Denver with $286 average airfare, Chicago with $283, and Tampa with $294, and international destinations are San Salvador, El Salvador with $300; Toronto with $326; and Vancouver with $331.

On top of it, travelers aren’t being shy about their savings. “Travelers proudly showing off their deals and savings has become a craze amongst spring breakers,” Bennett says, in a trend Priceline has dubbed as “loud budgeting.”

“For those who have wiggle room, I recommend traveling the first week of March or the last week of April because it’s more affordable and half as busy,” Hudson suggests. For those with set schedules, she suggests leaving on a Tuesday instead of a weekend, which will historically save about 15%

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• ‘Destination X’ Greenlit At NBC; U.S. Version Of Travel Adventure Competition To Be Produced By Twofour For 2025 Launch

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Adventure travel series Destination X has been officially picked up to series by NBC .

The show is expected to air on the network in 2025 and the U.S. version of the Belgian format will be produced by production company Twofour , which is also making a separate British version for the BBC.

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The BBC greenlit its own version last year with Twofour producing.

It is a similar model employed on breakout mystery format The Traitors.

Destination X sees a group of contestants go on the road trip of a lifetime but they have no idea of their location. In order to win, they must figure out their mystery locations. Once they’re on the blacked-out Destination X bus, the journey turns into a real-life game board, with challenges designed to offer clues as to their location, along with a few misdirects to keep them guessing.  

At the end of each episode, the contestant who places an X on a map furthest from the actual location packs their bags. The first participant to reach Destination X will be crowned the winner.

Twofour, which is owned by British broadcaster ITV, is behind series such as Apple TV+’s The Reluctant Traveller . It will co-produce the NBC version with Universal Television Alternative Studio. Production will begin later this year.

Caroline Davies, Andy Cadman, Dan Adamson and David Clews will exec produce the NBC version.

“ Destination X is one of the most unique and innovative formats we’ve seen in a long time, and it’s so big we partnered with the BBC again to shoot two shows at once,” said Corie Henson, EVP, Unscripted Programming, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “This show is an epic international travel adventure combined with the ultimate guessing game. Even if you’ve never been on a plane, you can play along.”

“The entire Twofour team couldn’t be more proud to have won the tender to produce this incredible adventure format, particularly given the pedigree of the other companies in the process,” said Dan Adamson, Twofour MD. “Our editorial ambition for this project is fortunately matched by our best-in-class production team, who constantly make the impossible possible. We are excited to be on this journey with our talented producing partners at UTAS and grateful to the brilliant commissioning teams at both NBCU and the BBC for the hard work and creativity they have already put into the process.”

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Despite the Soviet past, today’s Moscow is a dynamic, cutting-edge city – and the most populous in Europe. Well-heeled Muscovites flaunt their wealth by sipping Champagne with sushi at elite restaurants and shopping for designer labels at frighteningly expensive boutiques. Meanwhile, a growing middle-class has seen a proliferation of hip bars and trendy cultural centres.

While the Russian capital has striven to move on, recent tensions with the West have stirred up memories of the past. Moscow has previously led the way with protests against Vladimir Putin, but even with the tumbling ruble and economic sanctions, his popularity remains strong.

This doesn’t make Russia a no-go area, and Moscow – with its cosmopolitan, globe-trotting denizens – is not the formidable crucible often depicted. In summer, temperatures soar and the city’s vast parklands flourish. The historic Gorky Park received a complete makeover in 2012, installing free Wi-Fi and even a beach, while the Soviet behemoth that was the Rossiya Hotel has been demolished to make way for an ambitious central park.

Before that project comes to fruition, there is Red Square to marvel at, not least the mind-boggling St Basil’s Cathedral. Built by Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century, its multi-coloured domes and acid-trip patterns seem to defy logic. Nearby is the 14th-century Kremlin and seat of the tsars.

Indeed architecture is one of the city’s main attractions, especially for aficionados of Soviet buildings. All too many have been destroyed to make way for gleaming 21st-century skyscrapers, but Stalin’s unmistakable Seven Sisters still stand tall against the modern towers.

The city is naturally keen to celebrate its great writers, composers and artists too. This sophisticated city boasts world-class institutions like the Bolshoi Theatre, the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts.

As for nightlife, the city is becoming increasingly hedonistic – whether jazz, rock or vodka is your thing, there are plenty of options. Even the culinary circuit has come on leaps and bounds, though an evening at one of the city’s growing stable of world-class restaurants requires considerable investment. This is, after all, a capital of oligarchs.

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Constructed to accommodate visitors to the 1980 Olympics, the concrete towers of the Izmailovo boast a staggering 8,000 rooms. Institutional in atmosphere, and located far out in the northern suburbs, the hotel is handy for the enormous Izmaylovo Market and has decent city centre links. There are several onsite restaurants and in-room Wi-Fi is available too.

Peking Hotel

Built in 1956 as a little sister to Stalin's Seven Sister skyscrapers, and intended as post-war headquarters for the secret police, Moscow's Peking Hotel is a heritage hotel with a small 'h', in a good location just northwest of the centre. Although slightly old-fashioned, its 130 rooms are comfortable enough, with satellite TV and en-suite bathrooms.

Warsaw Hotel

Although its location may not be one of Moscow's most picturesque, the Warsaw Hotel is convenient for Gorky Park. Considering the quality of the competition, this is one of the best cheap options in the city, with clean and comfortable rooms, albeit in a rather dated style. Wi-Fi is complimentary and the Oktyabrskaya Metro station is right next door.

Golden Apple

A boutique hotel on a refreshingly human scale, the Golden Apple offers imaginative styling and a personal touch that many 5-star hotels lack. Behind the baroque facade, its minimalist rooms are cosy, and there's an onsite restaurant and an open-plan bar too. Staff speak excellent English and there's Wi-Fi access, a gym and a sauna.

Historical Hotel Sovietsky

In the 1950s, Joseph Stalin decreed that the famous Yar restaurant should be upgraded to a hotel and the Historical Hotel Sovietsky was born. It quickly became a showcase for the image of sophistication that the Soviet government wished to present to the world, and its 107 rooms still conjures up the nostalgia of this period in history.

Hotel Danilovsky

It's hard to imagine a more atmospheric place to stay than the 12-century precincts of the historic Danilovsky Monastery. Set amidst chapels and gardens, the hotel is a modern construction, but the rooms are comfortable and all have a view of the stately monastery buildings. There's a sauna and bar onsite too.

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High School Sports | Oaks Christian track and field ready for tough…

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High school sports | oaks christian track and field ready for tough arcadia invitational competition, the lions are one of 22 teams from the daily news coverage area that will compete in the national meet at arcadia high school.

The Arcadia Invitational will bring together some of the best high school track and field talent from around the country this weekend.

Oaks Christian will have 14 individual entries and eight relay teams competing at Arcadia High School on Friday and Saturday.

“It’s a checkmark for us,” Lions coach Wes Smith said. “We’re checking where we are, try ourselves against other folks and hopefully come out of it moving in a better direction for the postseason.”

A record-high 793 high schools registered for the meet and 362 are coming from out of state. That gives Oaks Christian, as well as other schools, the opportunity to see how it stacks up against the competition as it strives for a CIF Southern Section Division 3 championship.

“It’s probably the best high school event in the country,” Smith said. “Any time you have the opportunity to run against that caliber of talent, even if you’re lost in the crowd, you’re going to be testing yourself and using that as a tool.”

Niyah Clayton comes into the meet as the defending state champion in the 100 meters. She’s ranked No. 7 in the state in the event this season with a PR of 11.76 seconds. Her biggest competition could be Canyon’s Mikaela Warr, whose 11.56 time is the best in the state.

Chase Hansen is the top 400 runner in the state at 47.37 seconds. Chaminande’s Seth Shigg, who is ranked No. 6 (48.27), and Calabasas’ Kingston Celifie, who is No. 7 (48.36), will also compete at Arcadia.

Oaks Christian also has confidence in multiple relay teams, especially the boys 4×100 team and the girls 4×400 group, but the outcome this weekend is not necessarily an indicator of how the team will do in the postseason.

“I joke with kids all the time that we’ve won two state titles in the 4×1 and neither year did we have a relay team at Arcadia,” Smith said. “It’s an opportunity for us to hone our skills against the best and certainly if you can handle the pressure in that setting, then you have experience going into the state meet.”

The following area schools will be sending athletes to the Arcadia Invitational this weekend:

Golden Valley

Granada Hills

Harvard-Westlake

Newbury Park

Oaks Christian

Sierra Canyon

Simi Valley

St. Francis

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For Meghan Klingenberg, representing USWNT in the Olympics is about something bigger than herself

Klingenberg played for the u.s. at the 2016 rio olympics., by sanjesh singh • published april 3, 2024 • updated on april 3, 2024 at 11:47 am.

It's safe to say the U.S. women's national team has some unfinished business at the Olympics.

Since winning gold in four out of five competitions from 1996 to 2012, the USWNT did not medal in 2016 before claiming just a bronze in Tokyo .

Can the U.S. turn the tide in Paris? The 2024 Olympics should see a more well-balanced team in terms of quality and depth, with new manager Emma Hayes coming in from English side Chelsea.

But, while winning a medal is part of the Olympics equation, just being able to represent your country is something USWNT veteran Meghan Klingenberg holds high.

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"My family was always very patriotic," Klingenberg said in an interview with NBCUniversal Local. "We truly won and lost with the Olympians. We would pick our favorite one and then we would watch Michelle Kwan back when she was figure skating in the Olympics and, like, ride or die with her."

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Klingenberg played on the 2016 USWNT team that didn't medal for the first time in the sport in the country's history. But, while Klingenberg acknowledged the letdown that year, she said over time she became grateful for the memories the experience provided.

"For me, it was always about representing something bigger than yourself," Klingenberg said. "In Rio in 2016, at the time, it was a huge disappointment. But now, with some time, I think I'm so grateful that I got to go.

Learn more about the worlds of past and future Olympic and Paralympic athletes with our Chasing Gold series

"All I remember is the times with my family in Rio and the times with my friends and teammates where we were laughing. It's incredibly special to be a part of something like that, something that my family valued."

The USWNT for the Paris Games drew Germany, Australia and one of Morocco or Zambia in the group stage.

It's a group the U.S. has a solid chance to top, but it won't be straightforward with Germany and Australia emerging in recent years.

The 2024 Olympic soccer tournament begins before the opening ceremony in Paris on July 24. For the first time in Olympic history, the women’s final concludes the tournament on Aug. 10.

Venues for soccer at the 2024 Olympics include: Paris, Nantes, Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice, Saint-Étienne and Lyon.

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MCMC to record statements over false social media info on Quran recital competitions

Friday, 05 Apr 2024

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KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will be recording statements from all social media account holders who uploaded coordinated false information that Malaysia will no longer organise Quran recital competitions.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil (pic) said that MCMC has identified the individuals involved, and the process of tracking them down is underway.

He said that the actions of irresponsible parties uploading such coordinated messages on social media are not new and have been detected since February.

"Enough is enough. Uploading posts like this on social media is a very malicious defamation against the government, Islam, and the Royal Institution in this country.

"A reminder to all, refrain from commenting or making any statements that touch on the 3Rs (race, religion and royalty). Be careful because we have been asked to take stricter action," he told reporters after attending an Iftar event for enforcement agencies hosted by MCMC here Thursday (April 4).

Also present were MCMC chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din and Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.

Allegations through several Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) accounts claiming that Malaysia no longer organises Quran recital competitions and only focuses on concert organisation have gone viral on social media for the past few days.

However, this was denied by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan yesterday, who announced that the National Quran Recital and Memorisation Competition is scheduled from May 23 to 28 in Kuantan, Pahang.

Zulkifli also announced that the International Quran Recital and Memorisation Competition will take place from Oct 5 to 12.

Commenting on last night's event, Fahmi said it is an excellent platform to strengthen the relationship between MCMC and enforcement agencies while reinforcing efforts in implementing laws, including those related to the Communications and Multimedia Act. - Bernama

Tags / Keywords: Fahmi Fadzil , MCMC , Quran recital , competition , fake news , viral

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In Moscow, the War Is Background Noise, but Ever-Present

Muscovites go about their daily lives with little major disruption. But the war’s effects are evident — in the stores, at the movies and in the increasingly repressive environment.

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By Valerie Hopkins

Photographs by Nanna Heitmann

Reporting from Moscow

Metro trains are running smoothly in Moscow, as usual, but getting around the city center by car has become more complicated, and annoying, because anti-drone radar interferes with navigation apps.

There are well-off Muscovites ready to buy Western luxury cars, but there are not enough available. And while a local election for mayor took place as it normally would last Sunday, many of the city’s residents decided not to vote, with the result seemingly predetermined (a landslide win by the incumbent).

Almost 19 months after Russia invaded Ukraine, Muscovites are experiencing dual realities: The war has faded into background noise, causing few major disruptions, and yet it remains ever-present in their daily lives.

This month, Moscow is aflutter in red, white and blue flags for the annual celebration of the Russian capital’s birthday, No. 876. Its leaders marked the occasion with a monthlong exhibition that ended last Sunday. Featuring the country’s largest hologram, it showcased the city of 13 million people as a smoothly operating metropolis with a bright future. More than seven million people visited, according to the organizers.

There is little anxiety among residents over the drone strikes that have hit Moscow this summer. No alarm sirens to warn of a possible attack. When flights are delayed because of drone threats in the area, the explanation is usually the same as the one plastered on signs at the shuttered luxury boutiques of Western designers: “technical reasons.”

The city continues to grow. Cranes dot the skyline, and there are high-rise buildings going up all over town. New brands, some homegrown, have replaced the flagship stores like Zara and H&M, which departed after the invasion began in February 2022.

“We continue to work, to live and to raise our children,” said Anna, 41, as she walked by a sidewalk memorial marking the death of the Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny V. Prigozhin. She said she worked in a government ministry, and like others interviewed, she did not give her last name because of a fear of retribution.

But for some, the effects of war are landing harder.

Nina, 79, a pensioner who was shopping at an Auchan supermarket in northwestern Moscow, said that she had stopped buying red meat entirely, and that she could almost never afford to buy a whole fish.

“Just right now, in September, the prices rose tremendously,” she said.

Nina said that sanctions and ubiquitous construction projects were some reasons for higher prices, but the main reason, she said, was “because a lot is spent on war.”

“Why did they start it at all?” Nina added. “Such a burden on the country, on people, on everything. And people are disappearing — especially men.”

When asked about the biggest problems facing Russia, more than half of the respondents in a recent poll by the independent Levada Center cited price increases. The war, known in Russia as the “special military operation,” came in second, with 29 percent, tied with “corruption and bribery.”

“In principle, everything is getting more expensive,” said Aleksandr, 64, who said he worked as an executive director in a company. His shopping habits at the grocery store have not changed, but he said he had not traded in his luxury Western-branded car for a newer model.

“First of all, there are no cars,” he said, noting that most Western dealerships had left Russia and that Chinese brands had been taking their places on the roads.

The war has made itself evident outside supermarkets and auto dealerships. Moscow may be one of the few cities in Europe without sold-out showings of the movie “Barbie.” Warner Bros, which produced the film, pulled out of Russia shortly after Mr. Putin invaded Ukraine, and bootleg copies of “Barbie” were shown only in a few underground screenings .

Theaters regularly show movies that premiered more than five years ago because of licensing issues and strict new laws banning any mention of L.G.B.T.Q. people.

Advertisements to join the military are plastered on roadside billboards and on posters in convenience stores. Moscow’s metro recently stopped making announcements in English, with a Russian-language voice announcing every stop twice.

Cosmetically, Moscow is changing, too. A statue of Felix Dzerzhinsky, the founder of the Soviet political police, was inaugurated this past week in front of the headquarters of the foreign intelligence services. It is a copy of a statue that stood in front of the headquarters of the K.G.B. until it was torn down in 1991 by Russians hungry for freedom.

The election for mayor also underscored the sea change in Russian politics. A decade ago, the opposition politician Aleksei A. Navalny stood as a candidate against Sergei S. Sobyanin. Now, Mr. Navalny is in jail, and there was no real competition for Mr. Sobyanin, who won a third term with an unprecedented 76 percent of the vote.

Other parties, including the Communist Party , fielded a candidate against the incumbent, but they are all considered “systemic opposition” parties, or groups in Parliament nominally in opposition but who align their policies with the Kremlin on most issues.

“Before the war, I still voted,” said Vyacheslav I. Bakhmin, a chairman of the Moscow Helsinki Group, the oldest human rights group in Russia. “I don’t want to vote now because, well, the result seems to be clear, right?”

Many in Moscow chose not to vote, though turnout was at a two-decade high because of electronic voting that allows Muscovites to cast a ballot online. There is also heavy-handed encouragement of public sector employees to vote.

Mr. Sobyanin, 65, benefited from a carefully cultivated image as an effective manager, and Moscow’s cleanliness and ease of getting around are praised even by people who oppose his political party. He has made transportation a hallmark of his tenure, and he not only keeps the trains running efficiently, but is opening brand-new stations.

The elections in Moscow and in more than 20 Russian regions are widely seen as a test run for presidential elections in March. Mr. Putin has not declared his candidacy, but he is widely expected to run.

As Mr. Putin presides over a war with no end in sight, the authorities have worked to limit public expressions of dissent and make things seem as normal as possible. Aleksei A. Venediktov, who headed the liberal Echo of Moscow radio station before the Kremlin shut it down last year, said that the government had engineered the war’s absence from political spaces.

“This war, it is mainly on TV, or on Telegram channels, but it is not on the street, it is not even discussed in cafes and restaurants, because it is dangerous, because the laws that have been adopted are repressive,” Mr. Venediktov said. He noted cases in which people expressing antiwar views were denounced — or in some cases reported to the police — by those sitting next to them on the subway or in restaurants.

“People prefer to tell one another, ‘Let’s not talk about it here,’” Mr. Venediktov said. “And that’s why you can’t see it in the mood.”

In Moscow City, an area of skyscrapers that is the Russian capital’s answer to New York’s Financial District, many people casually dismissed a series of drone strikes that damaged some of the buildings there but resulted in no casualties.

One woman, Olga, who said she worked nearby, just nodded as a colleague shrugged off the potential risk.

Later, Olga sent a New York Times journalist a message on the Telegram messaging app: “I couldn’t say anything, because at work they don’t talk about a position like mine,” she wrote. “I am against war and I hate our political system.”

When there is a drone strike inside Russia, she said, “I always hope that maybe someone will think about what it means to live under shelling, and regret the loss of our normal life before the war.” She said that if the explosions do not cause casualties, then “I don’t regret damage to the buildings at all.”

Mr. Venediktov said that even if changes on Moscow’s surface were hard to see, and increasingly harder to discuss, people were truly transforming inside.

“People are starting to return to the Soviet practice, when public conversations can lead to trouble at work,” he said. “It’s like toxic poisoning — a very slow process.”

An earlier version of this article misstated which birthday Moscow is celebrating this year. It is No. 876, not No. 867.

How we handle corrections

Valerie Hopkins is an international correspondent for The Times, covering the war in Ukraine, as well as Russia and the countries of the former Soviet Union. More about Valerie Hopkins

Our Coverage of the War in Ukraine

News and Analysis

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has signed into law three measures aimed at replenishing the ranks of his country’s depleted army, including lowering the draft age to 25 .

With continued American aid to Ukraine stalled and against the looming prospect of a second Trump presidency, NATO officials are looking to take more control of directing military support from Ukraine’s allies  — a role that the United States has played for the past two years.

Exploding drones hit an oil refinery and munitions factory far to the east of Moscow, in what Ukrainian media and military experts said was among the longest-range strikes with Ukrainian drones so far in the war .

Conditional Support: Ukraine wants a formal invitation to join NATO, but NATO has no appetite for taking on a new member  that, because of the alliance’s covenant of collective security, would draw it into the biggest land war in Europe since 1945.

“Shell Hunger”: A desperate shortage of munitions in Ukraine  is warping tactics and the types of weapons employed. What few munitions remain are often mismatched with battlefield needs as the country’s forces prepare for an expected Russian offensive this summer.

Turning to Marketing: Ukraine’s troop-starved brigades have started their own recruitment campaigns  to fill ranks depleted in the war with Russia.

How We Verify Our Reporting

Our team of visual journalists analyzes satellite images, photographs , videos and radio transmissions  to independently confirm troop movements and other details.

We monitor and authenticate reports on social media, corroborating these with eyewitness accounts and interviews. Read more about our reporting efforts .

Solar Eclipse 2024: Full List of New Areas to See it After Path Changes

T he path of totality for the upcoming solar eclipse has shifted after more accurate calculations were made by a solar eclipse expert, and countless areas in the U.S. originally believing they were within the path of totality are now outside of it.

On Monday, April 8, the moon will be positioned so that the entire disc of the sun will be blocked in several states, plunging millions of people into darkness during the early afternoon. The path of totality will start in Mexico and extend across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine before heading over the North Atlantic.

The spectacle is expected to draw crowds from around the nation as people head to areas in the path of totality to witness the eclipse. Meanwhile, officials across the country have voiced concerns about stretched public safety resources and an "enormous strain" on local hospitals and congested roadways. At least four states have urged residents to stock up on groceries and gas and to fill medical prescriptions in the days leading up to the eclipse, as it is expected that traffic could overwhelm local roads.

Just a week before the event, eclipse calculations expert John Irwin made calculations that resulted in a slight but significant change to the path of totality map. Many locations previously expecting to be within the path of totality are now just outside of it. However, others that weren't expecting to be included now are.

Texas is the only state where part of the path of totality expands to include more areas. The path's southern edge expands slightly near San Antonio and Austin. Shortly after that, it begins to narrow through the rest of the state and the U.S.

In the slight expansion, Woodlawn Lake Park in San Antonio is now included in the path of totality. More of McKinney Falls State Park in Austin, Texas, also is included.

Considering the parks are both now included in the path of totality, more people may visit them to view the eclipse. For state parks, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department urges visitors to make a reservation.

"Every vehicle entering the park must have a reservation. We encourage carpooling as parking may be limited," a webpage dedicated to state park eclipse viewing said.

Newsweek reached out to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by email for comment.

People living along the path of totality's northern edge through central Texas now have to travel slightly to observe the total eclipse. This includes major metropolitan cities Fort Worth, the outskirts of Dallas, like Denton, Texas, and the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge. Outside of Texas, there have been countless other areas that are now outside of the path of totality's boundaries.

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