It used to be that when people planned their vacations they headed to warm, sunny beaches. But has global warming changed all that?
A survey from booking.com suggests that 2024 is the year of the
coolcation. The digital travel platform surveyed more than 27,000 travelers across 33 countries. The majority (51%) report that climate change will impact the way they plan their vacation in 2024, while over half (56%) say that as temperatures soar close to home, they will use their vacation to cool down elsewhere.
Although many want their travels to be “cool,” they also don’t want to give up on being close to the water. Three-quarters (75%) agree that being close to water instantly makes them feel more relaxed, with more than one-third (36%) interested in water-centric vacations this year.
“As people dive headfirst into aquatic escapes, mindful water immersion will quickly become the next mainstream version of meditation, where the wild-swimming craze meets the ice-therapy movement,” the company stated in a news release.
In addition to cool spots, vacationers say they want an element of surprise with trips off the beaten path. A large number are interested in sustainable travel apps where they can unlock rewards (60%), such as experiences with locals in off-the-beaten-path areas (47%) or visits to remote locations that tourists otherwise have limited access to (44%).
Visit booking.com