Three trends in experiences that will shape the leisure travel sector in 2024

A few days before the Arival 360 Conference takes place, which will be held in Orlando from October 9 to 12, leaders in the tourism sector have shared the three main trends in travel, activities and experiences that they predict will shape the travel sector. travel in 2024.

More than 1,000 business representatives from the travel, activities, attractions and experiences sectors will attend the Arival 360 2023 Conference next week. Among the hottest topics will be artificial intelligence and its implications for the experiences industry, digital distribution, pricing, passion travel, partnerships and how inclusion and diversity will continue to drive fundamental changes in the way that people experience the trips and the response they expect.

These three trends for 2024 are expected to dominate the event's discussions:

1. Artificial intelligence could finally pave the way to true personalization

"We have seen an explosion of excitement and tangible applications for artificial intelligence in 2023. At Arival we are going to delve into the tangible applications and opportunities for businesses across travel experiences to drive new efficiencies and improve the guest experience. Yes If we channel it in the right way, operators will get better at delivering that personal and human touch that makes the experiences sector so special within travel," comments Douglas Quinby, CEO and Co-Founder of Arival.

Greg DeShields, CEO of Tourism Diversity Matters, adds that AI has the potential to redefine the guest experience in 2024: "Customer expectations for greater authenticity will remain high, while advances in artificial intelligence and automation will continue. redefining the guest experience, providing greater insight and more options AI and automation will impact various segments, adapt and offer more “customer-friendly” AI-based solutions AI algorithms and data analytics will provide travelers more personalized and efficient experiences.

2. Demand for immersive experiences with authentic, human connection will continue to grow

“This trend, which has dominated 2023, will continue to evolve in 2024 – with the desire for unique, once-in-a-lifetime and themed travel being even more prominent,” notes Quinby. “As a result, there is likely to be a huge range of new options available to travelers. Travel providers will need to consider how to take their offerings a step further in 2024 than they did in 2023 – focusing on differentiation and user experience at the booking stage will be key to captivating travelers, and converting the voyeurs in reservations.”

Rebecca Fisher, co-founder of Beyond the Bell Tours, agrees: “People are going to be increasingly driven to seek out experiential travel experiences [in 2024]. Travelers are looking for authentic connection and deeper engagement. “I think we will see these trends grow both globally and domestically [within the United States].”

3. We will see a shift from destination-based travel to passion-based travel

“Where will matter less than why in 2024,” Quinby says. "The typical traveler's bucket list used to consist of places to go, countries to cross off, passport stamps to collect. But in 2024, it will be more about who, what and why, rather than where and when ".

Or, as Dan Christian, host of the Travel Trends podcast and founder of the Acceleration Team, says:

"We are seeing a shift from destination-based travel to passion-based travel. But travel discovery remains stuck in the past; the only options today are where and when, and we have to move on to who you are and what interests you ". Websites and other travel platforms, for example, continue to focus on destinations. But people choose travel experiences based on their passions rather than the destinations. Building marketing funnels around time and place is no longer the most effective approach; It is up to all of us to make this change to attract and retain today's consumers."

Source: Belvera Partners.