Travel distribution and technology company Amadeus have released five key travel trends they see for 2024:
- Influencers become agents: Influencers are not just inspiring people to travel through their social media platforms but are also acting as facilitators by offering direct booking options for group trips. They work with e-commerce marketplaces that enable them to share booking links and process payments directly on their profiles.
- Business class fares unbundle: Airlines are offering more affordable and accessible business class fares by unbundling the services typically associated with business class, such as lounge access and flexibility in seat selection and upgrades. Passengers have the option to pay for these extra services separately.
- Artificial intelligence matures: Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) is enhancing the online travel planning experience by providing hyper-personalised and intuitive search and advice. Chatbots and virtual travel assistants powered by GAI can understand customer needs, deliver instant recommendations, and even provide links for booking.
- Musical tourism drives demand: After the social isolation of the pandemic, there has been a surge in demand for concerts and festivals. Music tourism is expected to grow as people seek out live performances by their favourite artists. Concert announcements have been found to significantly impact flight searches and booking volumes to the destination where the event will take place.
- eVTOLs prepare for take-off: Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, including flying taxis, are emerging as a potential solution for lower emission air travel. Electric skyways are being developed to provide air travel options within urban areas, between satellite airports, cross-country, and even between islands. Several companies worldwide are working on electric aircraft projects and have plans to launch commercial services in the near future.
