Travel Trends: Insights for Hoteliers

The travel industry is constantly changing. We see it clearly in the shifts in traveler behavior and preferences. Understanding 2024 travel trends is crucial, but it’s even more important for hoteliers to adapt quickly.

This blog dives into Expedia’s latest travel trend report. We will share strategies that can help you stay competitive, attract more guests, and grow your revenue.

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Steady Global Search Volume with Regional Variations

Travel trends in 2024 are on the rise! According to Expedia’s Q3 2024 report, global travel search volumes jumped by 21% this quarter. This is a growth on top of an 18% increase from the same period last year. 

In 2024, the travel and tourism industry is on track to reach a higher number of international tourist arrivals than pre-pandemic years. There’s a big anticipation of a 17.23% increase in tourist arrivals compared to 2023.

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Source: RoadGenius

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Spotlight on the Top Gainers in 2024 Travel Trends

A key highlight of 2024 travel trends is the spike in interest for specific destinations. 

There are some newcomers in the top searched destinations worldwide.

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There are some countries who saw an incredible growth in popularity this year, and the leading country? Albania. Searches for Albania rose a stunning 117% compared to 2023.

Other destinations also seeing big gains in travel industry trends include:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina: up 126% (12,000 extra searches)
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• Chile: up 96% (14,000 extra searches)
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• Algeria: up 88% (10,000 extra searches)
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• Montenegro: up 83% (100,000 total searches)
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These destinations are on the rise as travelers seek unique, budget-friendly alternatives beyond traditional hot spots.
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Leveraging 2024 Travel Trends

• Leverage Travel Trends: Is your property near trending spots like Albania or Montenegro? Now is the perfect time to boost your marketing. Highlight your property's proximity to these emerging destinations to attract more guests.
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• Target Domestic Travelers: You can focus on domestic tourists If your property isn't located in a trending destination. Offer staycation packages, nature experiences, and special deals. This aligns with the ongoing travel industry trends favoring local getaways in 2024.

Using Google Trends to Boost Your Bookings

You can’t change your hotel’s location. But you can use data to better understand travel industry trends in your area.

Google Trends is a powerful (and free!) tool that shows what’s trending. Use it to adjust your strategy quickly and effectively.

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How to Use Google Trends:

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1. Spot Local Demand Trends

• Visit Google Trends.
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• Enter keywords related to your property, like “romantic hotels in Tuscany” or “family-friendly resorts in Mallorca.”
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• Set filters for your location and time frame.
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• Check the “interest over time” graph to see if demand is rising or if there are seasonal peaks.
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2. Optimize for Seasonal and Event Demand

• Look for search spikes tied to local events or holidays. If “summer festivals in your area” are trending, create packages that align with those events.
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• Adjust your pricing strategy. For example, if searches for “last-minute hotel deals” surge in December, offer special discounts to capture bookings.

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3. Tailor Your Marketing Content

• Use trending keywords in your SEO strategy. Add these to your OTA listings, website, blogs, and social posts.
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• If “wellness retreats” are trending, promote your spa services. Keep your content fresh and aligned with current 2024 travel trends.

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Did you know Booster® automates research to help you stay ahead of travel industry trends. This smart algorithm analyzes data from OTAs like Booking.com. Thanks to data-analysis it can identify the factors that boost your listing’s search ranking. By adjusting these parameters, Booster® helps your property climb to the top, resulting in more bookings and higher revenue.

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Shift Towards Shorter Booking Windows in 2024

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One of the key 2024 travel trends is the shift toward shorter booking windows. Expedia reports a 15% increase in searches for trips within the 0-30 day window. Travelers are embracing spontaneity, driven by flexible work arrangements and eased travel restrictions.

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Revenue Management Strategies:

• Last-Minute Promotions: Use real-time data to offer special deals targeting last-minute bookers.
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• Flexible Cancellation Policies: Attract spontaneous travelers by offering flexible terms. Flexible cancellation policies can boost conversion rates by up to 20%.
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• Boost Visibility on OTAs: Ensure your hotel has optimized listings on platforms like Booking.com and Expedia. This will help to capture these last-minute searches.

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Rise of Beach Destinations and City Getaways

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Expedia’s 2024 travel trends report highlights growing interest in beach and city escapes. Top trending destinations include:

• Palma de Mallorca, Spain: Up five spots among EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) travelers.
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• Antalya, Turkey, and Cancún, Mexico: Popular among LATAM (Latin America) travelers.
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• San Diego, California: A new favorite for NORAM (North America) travelers.
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Revenue Management Insights:

• Seasonal Pricing: Adjust rates to capture peak demand, especially for beach resorts during summer.
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• Bundled Offers: Create packages that include dining, excursions, or wellness activities to attract travelers seeking comprehensive experiences.
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Event-Driven Travel Continues to Thrive in 2024

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Events like music festivals and sports tournaments are driving significant travel demand in 2024. For example:

• Coachella in California
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• Lollapalooza in Chicago
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• Taylor Swift’s tour in Toronto and Vancouver
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• EuroCup in Germany, which saw a 60% search increase during its lead-up.

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Revenue Strategies:

• Event-Aware Pricing: Use event calendars to forecast demand and adjust rates.
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• Event Packages: Offer deals that include transportation or event tickets.
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• Highlight Proximity: Promote your property’s closeness to event venues to attract event-goers.
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Growing Interest in Adventure and Outdoor Activities

Searches for adventure and outdoor travel experiences have surged nearly 70% year-over-year. Millennials and Gen Z travelers are prioritizing wellness and nature-focused trips.
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Revenue Tips:

• Adventure Packages: Partner with local guides for activities like hikes or water sports.
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• Outdoor Marketing Focus: Highlight nearby natural attractions in your listings to boost OTA rankings.
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• Invest in Outdoor Amenities: Offer features like bike rentals or hiking maps to attract this market.
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Conclusion: Navigating 2024 Travel Trends for Success

The travel industry in 2024 is all about spontaneity, beach getaways, city escapes, and experiential travel. Staying ahead of these 2024 travel trends and using data-driven strategies is crucial. It can help you boost occupancy and increase revenue.

Ready to take your property to the next level? Book a call with Otamiser to learn how our solutions can help you stay ahead in this competitive market!

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