Recent data reveals a shift in holiday preferences for 2024, with long-haul travel and cruises climbing in popularity.
- European cruises are now the third most booked holiday type for 2024, surpassing short-haul city breaks.
- The Norwegian fjords hold top spot as the leading choice for cruises, thanks to a remarkable 46% surge in bookings.
- Travellers are prioritising long-haul destinations like Barbados and the Maldives, marking a significant trend change.
- A nine-day average trip duration is now the norm, reflecting the ongoing post-pandemic holiday boom.
Recent trends in the travel industry for 2024 show a notable shift towards long-haul travel and cruises, as detailed by data from Your Co-op Travel. European cruises have climbed to become the third most booked holiday type for the coming year, overtaking traditional short-haul city breaks.
The rise in cruise bookings is especially evident in the popularity of the Norwegian fjords, which hold the top position as the preferred cruise destination, aided by a 46% rise in bookings from the previous year. The Caribbean and Canary Islands follow closely as preferred cruise destinations.
Long-haul travel has gained momentum among holidaymakers, with destinations such as Barbados and the Maldives making their debut in the top 10 most booked locations. This shift indicates a growing preference for more distant and exotic locations among travellers.
The average duration of trips is now set at nine days, suggesting that holidaymakers are keen to make the most of their allowed leave time, with the travel boom post-pandemic showing no signs of waning.
Reykjavik continues to be a top performer, particularly with Co-op Holidays, maintaining its spot as the most booked location for the third consecutive year. Iceland itself occupies third place in the list of top booked countries, following the US and Spain.
The travel industry is experiencing a remarkable shift with long-haul destinations and cruises leading holiday preferences in 2024.
