Are you looking for the perfect holiday destination for 2024? Booking.com’s largest annual survey has revealed what the trends of 2024 are, so there’s plenty of inspiration!
Most trending
Every year we look at which 10 global destinations on Booking.com are rising the fastest in popularity and which should not be missed on travellers’ bucket lists in 2024. This year they are:
- Valkenburg, Netherlands
- Beppu, Japan
- Vlorë, Albania
- Merida, Mexico
- Portland, Oregon, United States
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Chemnitz, Germany
- Rotorua, New Zealand
- Panglao, Philippines
- Cairns, Australia
Remarkable: Valkenburg is the first Dutch destination ever to be included in the list of the 10 most trending destinations worldwide. So if you want to keep it close to home this year, this Limburg pearl should not be missing from your list.
Travel trends
The research not only reveals the most trending destinations, but also shows seven trends how Dutch people will travel in 2024. Here it comes:
1. Surprise holiday
Boarding a plane, but not sure where your journey will take you? No fewer than 40% of travelers would like to go on a surprise trip at some point. Let’s be honest, isn’t that really something everyone should have done at least once? For example, almost half of Dutch travelers would like to step out of their comfort zone and more than a quarter would like to travel with a stranger. More than 57% of Dutch people want to travel this year without plans. We say: do it!
2. Alter ego vacation
Maybe you recognize it: you can enjoy anonymity when traveling. 47% of Dutch people agree with this. They love not having acquaintances around, because it gives them the opportunity to get to know themselves in a new way. More than half of Dutch travelers (55%) consider themselves the better version of themselves when traveling. Why? Because we feel fewer obstacles and we can discover new aspects about our personality. The alter ego also sometimes takes on a materialistic side. For example, 29% of Dutch people rent a nicer car on holiday than they have at home. Main Character Energy is also definitely a thing on holiday. No fewer than 38% of Dutch people feel like the protagonist of their own story on holiday. And that’s how it should be, right?
3. Cooling holiday
If you think that everyone prefers to travel to a tropical destination… Nothing could be further from the truth. Quite a large proportion of Dutch people – 31% to be precise – will look for a cooler destination when the temperature at home rises. The presence of water is also increasingly central to our holiday choices. No fewer than 63% of Dutch travelers indicated that they immediately feel more relaxed when they are near water. ‘Conscious immersion’ is also becoming increasingly popular. Think of wild swimming and the ice bath therapy movement.
4. Eating local on holiday
Fries on holiday? Rather not. Almost half of Dutch travelers (45%) want to discover the traditional dishes of their holiday country. More than two-thirds (67%) want to taste the traditional flavors of the original cuisine in the new year. They would also enjoy discovering culinary secrets by, for example, following a cooking or wine workshop in their holiday country. You can book such a workshop immediately on Booking.com; nice!
5. Date vacation
Finding your great love across the border is something that 24% of Dutch singles would like to do. 23% of Dutch travelers would also choose to go on holiday after ending a relationship to get over their heartbreak. For those who are already in a relationship: 1 in 5 couples want to strengthen their bond with their partner during their trip this year. Are there also children? Parents indicate that they need time for themselves and that they will travel completely alone in 2024.
6. Cheaper vacation
These are expensive times and so people are saving on holidays. This year, 43% of Dutch travelers are therefore planning to go to a destination in 2024 where the cost of living is lower than at home. In addition, 35% of travelers prefer to go on holiday close to home in order to keep costs low (reminder: Valkenburg!) and 30% plan to pick up their children from school earlier so that they can travel outside the high season.
7. Eco-vacation
In the past, an eco holiday may have sounded very old-fashioned, but nowadays sustainability and style go very well together. This year, 36% of Dutch travelers are looking for more sustainable accommodation. Also, 49% of travelers would prefer to stay at a more sustainable accommodation that has green spaces and plants, so that nature does not stop at the front door of their stay. We get it!
Harbor Lake Village
Are you in the holiday mood right now? And would you like to imagine yourself in luxury in a tastefully decorated villa? Elegance spent two nights at Haven Lake Village in Kortenhoef and we can say: yes, this is highly recommended. In these luxurious villas you have a view over the lake and you can completely relax – ideal if you want to escape the daily grind. The villas are very spacious with a double shower in the bathroom and two spacious bedrooms. Plus a large kitchen to cook in, although you can also opt for the private dining service of the Docks restaurant around the corner, which serves delicious espresso martinis, among other things. The icing on the cake is the outdoor pool on the veranda. Drink in your hand and do nothing about it. Would you like to go out for a while? Then cycle or walk through the beautiful nature reserves that Kortenhoef has to offer. You will find many country estates in the area, chic! You can also hop in a boat to discover the Loosdrechtse Plassen or relax during a (duo) relaxation massage in your own villa. How delicious!
If you don’t have enough inspiration right now, we don’t know what does. So, where does the journey go? Book now!
Image: Booking.com
