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In the aftermath of the pandemic, the desire to travel the planet has skyrocketed to unsuspected levels. So far, so good. But from there to many planning their next getaway while they are traveling... "The desire to go out is so great that we even look for a cheap flight for our next trip while we are on vacation," explains Lore Treviño, spokesperson in Spain for Skycanner, a leading global travel company that helps plan and book the most affordable flight options. hotels and car rentals. To this end, it has 1,200 partners around the world.

This was said by the expert during the presentation of the report Travel Trends 2024: Redefining Value through Experience, carried out by the portal during August 2023 with 18,000 respondents worldwide (it connects travelers in 52 countries and in 32 languages), a thousand of them Spanish. Among the conclusions regarding the latter, the main destinations to which we will want to escape next year stand out.

The first place is occupied by the Italian island of Corsica. And one corner in particular, Olbia, famous for its seafaring atmosphere, its turquoise beaches, its typical gastronomy, its monuments and its archaeological remains. It tops the Skycanner list, as it has multiplied the number of searches on the portal the most in the last year, at a rate of more than 340% compared to 2022.

Postcard image of Osaka, Japan.

It is followed by Osaka, in Japan, with a 328% increase in online searches, followed by Tokyo (with a 264% increase in interest). Ho Chi Minh City, in Vietnam (up 215%), Taipei, the capital of Taiwan (up 188%), Zadar, in Croatia (up 187%), Kutaisi, Georgia (up 180%), . Ponta Delgada, in the Portuguese Azores Islands (178%), Boston, in the United States (175%) and Faro, also in Portugal (173%).

The most desired destinations for 2024

1. Olbia (Sardinia, Italy)

2. Osaka, Japan

3. Tokyo, Japan

4. Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)

5. Taipei (Taiwan)

6. Zadar, Croatia

7. Kutaisi (Georgia)

8. Ponta Delgada (I. Azores, Portugal)

9. Boston (USA)

10. Faro (Portugal)

Skyscanner goes further and examines the quality/price ratio in travel, which is key for domestic tourists, as the cost of accommodation and flight are still the main factors that most determine the choice of one destination or another, 28% and 36% respectively. Of course, four out of 10 Spaniards plan to spend more money on travel in 2024 than they did in 2023, while 34% say they will spend the same.

'Skyline' of Taipei, the capital of Taiwan.

The report also details which are our favourite destinations taking into account the biggest drop in prices on airline tickets departing from Spain in the last year. Olbia is once again at the top of the ranking, with a 33% cheaper price. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (in second place with 23% cheaper) and Boston (15%) also repeat. Other cities such as Germany's Düsseldorf, with 6%, and Havana, with 4%, sneak in.

Naomi Hahn, Skyscanner's Vice President of Strategy, said the Explore Anywhere search option, which sorts destinations by price, is the most repeated search for globetrotters around the world this year. "We think it's proof that cost is still a priority issue when it comes to putting dirt on the line. Of our tools, those aimed at saving are the most popular," he adds.

Movie Destinations

Still, price isn't the only factor cited by respondents. The local culture, the monuments, the history... they are always there, but there is more and more interest in "seeing a concert, enjoying unique gastronomic experiences at a good price or even getting to know the settings of series and films that we have liked," says Treviño. And he says more: "For example, 18% of Spaniards want to go to London to feel like they are in The Crown."

In terms of music, 61% of Spaniards surveyed say they are considering going abroad in 2024 to see their favourite artist live. In addition to these travel trends for 2024, according to the report, are the "(in)dream destinations", i.e. turning holidays into a retreat to sleep. What's more, 41% of Spanish travellers say they travel better when they're away.

London Bridge over the Thames.

The conclusions do not end here. Another: analogue adventurers are more in vogue than ever despite living in the digital age. In other words, turn off and disconnect. 19% of respondents between the ages of 18 and 24 take a Polaroid camera on vacation; Another 19% are betting on a disposable one and 14% are still using 35mm film that they will later develop. On the other side of the scale, despite the fact that 91% consider it essential to disconnect on vacation, 41% admit that they check their social networks, 37% plan their next vacation (as we advanced at the start) and "29% do their shopping online for when they return home," adds Treviño to the surprise of those attending the presentation.

There are more reasons to travel, such as celebrating a birthday or anniversary in a group. And what are our favorite destinations to do it in 2024? Italy, France and the United Kingdom. What won't change next year is looking for the greatest luxury at the lowest cost. Despite the fact that the cost of living continues to rise, more and more travelers are opting for luxury experiences that do not go over budget. In figures, 15% plan to travel in business class or first class sometime in 2024, while 10% plan to buy access to an airport lounge. At least the intention is already there...

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