Younger travelers, Gen Zers and Millennials, are driving many of the travel trends forecast for 2024. One company, FTLO Travel—which caters specifically to solo travelers in their 20s and 30s with slow travel-style itineraries—has formed an unusually deep understanding of the evolving preferences of today’s young travelers and how they choose to explore the world.
Digital Detox
Findings from Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2024 report indicate a growing interest in “Analog Travel” among younger travelers, with a notable 31 percent of 18-to-24-year-old Americans opting for non-digital cameras on their journeys. User searches for “digital detox” are also on the rise, up 80 percent on Pinterest.Banishing Loneliness
Loneliness has become a prevalent issue in the U.S., with the Surgeon General even going as far as to label it an epidemic. This is particularly true among young adults under the age of 30, with approximately 25 percent reporting significant feelings of loneliness, according to a recent Gallup poll. Remote and hybrid work setups have further exacerbated feelings of isolation, with over half (53 percent) of Americans who work hybrid hours struggling to connect with their coworkers, Pew Research Center found.It’s unsurprising, then, that Skift’s Megatrends 2024 report predicts a surge in itineraries that facilitate more, and more authentic and meaningful, connections with both fellow travelers and destination locals this year. And while searches for solo travel are up an astonishing 145 percent, according to Pinterest, traveling solo does not always mean traveling alone, especially when guests join a group tour with like-minded participants.
Slow, Responsible Travel
Supporting Pinterest’s prediction of a rise in slow travel, Skift has also forecast the increased popularity of unique itineraries that encourage travelers to engage with locals in their destinations.FTLO has found that its most sought-after trip activities include exploring local cuisines and participating in local cultural experiences. Therefore, with a focus on slow, responsible tourism, FTLO’s trips prioritize free time for participants to immerse themselves in and explore local communities, and partake in one-of-a-kind adventures.