Is traveling more in 2024 one of your New Year’s Resolutions? 2022 and 2023 saw a post-pandemic travel boom as well as a shift in traveler’s priorities, but can we expect the same trends to persist in 2024? Industry experts agree that 2023 was big but they predict 2024 to be even bigger, and that means dates and destinations are already filling up. In this article we’ll look at what tendencies travelers are establishing, which trends are here to stay, how these trends pertain to Belize travel, and how you can stay ahead of the curve.
Being socially and environmentally responsible has become a significant consideration for today’s travelers. We have seen a huge rise in eco-tourism and travelers are increasingly social-led as opposed to product-led. Travelers don’t want to simply vacation, they want to make human connections and have authentic experiences while being mindful of their social and environmental impact. The small, young nation of Belize is a front runner regarding sustainable-travel initiatives and offers an extensive array of eco-tourism experiences. With one foot in the Caribbean Sea and one in the lush tropical jungles of Central America, it is a nature-lover’s paradise. Some 35% of its land is designated protected and the Belize Barrier Reef, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, spans the length of its coast. Belize boasts an enviable framework for conservation and is a global leader in environmental stewardship. It is safe to assume that Belize will pop up on more traveler’s radar as a potential vacation destination.
Luxury eco-resorts and small properties focused on neutral-impact stays will be in high demand. The Gecko Vacation properties and staff are committed to local green initiatives and sustainable practices such as utilizing renewable energy or phasing out single use plastic. All their private island retreats, for example, use solar energy. Meals are prepared with local ingredients such as farm-direct meat and dairy, tropical fruits and seasonal vegetables, and line-caught fish. Environmentally friendly daily practices are a Gecko’s ethos. In 2024 eco-activities such as birding, hiking, and snorkeling will continue to be popular, as will the trend of agrotourism. Belize boasts some unique agrotourism experiences such as touring exotic spice farms, making chocolate by hand from cacao pods, and learning about restorative aquaculture and seaweed farming.
Today’s travelers want to really experience a destination; they want to make human connections, engage in local customs, learn about the history of a place, and have authentic experiences. Where the vacationer of yesteryear was more likely to be loyal to a hotel brand, vacationers in 2024 will be more likely to choose a destination first and then look for accommodations, most often on OTAs (Online Travel Agency). Airbnb, Booking.com and Expedia will continue to be industry leaders in OTAs, but savvy travelers know that the best value and service can be had only through direct bookings with properties. Not only does booking directly with your accommodation save travelers money, but it cuts out the middleman and puts them in direct contact with their hosts in the destination. The Gecko Vacation’s team of concierges converse directly with guests to plan and arrange their perfect packages to make travel planning completely easy and hassle-free. Direct booking affords travelers the best value and allows them to customize their itinerary to their personal preferences not simply the packages an Online Travel Agency has put together.
The experts also expect to see an increase in multi-generational vacations in 2024. Families are feeling the pressures of modern life and report feeling more disconnected to one another than they were decades ago, so multi-generational vacations are increasingly becoming the solution for de-stressing and re-connecting with loved ones. Family vacations, extended family vacations, and family reunion trips will be big in 2024. Sharing an experience like international travel is an enriching, formative, and bonding event. Gecko’s private island retreats are a perfect paradise for multi-generational vacations where extended families can gather together yet have their own individual spaces.
Travelers are increasingly seeking opportunities for immersive experiences that allow them to connect with local culture and traditions. Touring historic sites, attending a cooking class, learning traditional dance styles, and participating in local festivities are of high value in this new ‘people-positive’ travel arena. Belize will hold a distinct allure for native English-speaking travelers as they’ll be able to navigate and communicate easily with no barriers of language. Along with social-led travel, we continue to see a trend in wellness and health-focused trips. Today’s travelers are prioritizing self-care and rejuvenation, wholesome cuisine, and holistic treatments. Belize’s natural beauty, serene atmosphere, and abundance of wellness offerings make it an attractive destination choice for health-minded travelers. The Gecko Vacation properties are tranquil refuges where guests can recharge their batteries in several different ways. Wholesome, organic meals, yoga or meditation spaces, fitness and recreation equipment, and on-call spa services are just a portion of the wellness offerings on a Gecko Vacation.
In the coming months, travel will increase overall and specific destinations that have historically been seen as off-the-beaten-path will gain popularity as people seek out fresh discoveries and authentic experiences. Destinations like Belize that offer small, eco-conscious accommodations, genuine culture and connects, raw nature, and adequate infrastructure will be at the top of travelers lists for the next few years. Book your Gecko getaway for 2024 before the secret is out and the best dates are gone.