Amadeus published Travel Patterns for 2024

No traveler stays motionless for very long. This is a dynamically changing industry that is constantly changing to keep up with the newest inventions, trends, and cultural shifts. Even though it is impossible to predict the future precisely, Amadeus’ central place in the travel ecosystem provides unmatched insight.

In its annual Travel Trends research, Amadeus here investigates potential future developments using the most recent proprietary data, industry-leading insight, and expert analysis from across the organization. Five innovations that seek to improve travel experiences for tourists, the economy, and the environment have been identified.

Vice President of Global Corporate Marketing & Communications at Amadeus, Daniel Batchelor, states:

“After a period of recalibration and reassessment over the past few years, we are beginning to see a host of new ideas bear fruit across our industry. Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) will continue to exert a growing influence across the sector during 2024, while electric taxis are finally poised for take-off. Doing what we love, be it traveling to see our favorite music acts or using new tools to follow in the footsteps of digital influencers, will also drive bookings next year, while airlines continue to reshape their offering to respond to changing tastes. There is much to look forward to, and Amadeus will be working alongside our partners from across the travel ecosystem to drive change for the traveler, wherever we can.”

Knowledgeable Concierge

Customers’ online travel planning experiences are being greatly enhanced by generative artificial intelligence (GAI), as search and advice become increasingly hyper-personalized and intuitive. To fine-tune a search on an online travel agency (OTA) or metasearch website, travelers can send a brief to a chatbot, just like they would to a human advisor, rather than selecting filters. For instance, Expedia’s new ChatGPT plug-in functions as a virtual travel assistant by learning about the needs of the user and providing immediate hotel and itinerary recommendations along with links to make reservations.

More empathy and patience will be shown in the delivery of the next generation of GAI-powered customer service, which will free up employees’ time to handle more specialized issues and less after-sales servicing and customer review management.

Influential People

Social media has developed into a potent tool for trip inspiration.

According to Morning Consult research, younger consumers (Gen Z and Millennials) are becoming more trusting of influencers while becoming less trusting of friends, family, and review websites. Google’s own data indicates that TikTok and Instagram are competing with it for Gen Z users’ search market share.

According to Morning Consult research, younger consumers (Gen Z and Millennials) are becoming more trusting of influencers while becoming less trusting of friends, family, and review websites. Google’s own data indicates that TikTok and Instagram are competing with it for Gen Z users’ search market share.

A new trend is emerging at the same time, where influencers are now acting as brokers of direct bookings through their channels rather than just providing inspiration for travel. Influencers planning and facilitating their own group travels include Ana Hernández Sárria, Rafael Fernandez Caballero, the Blonde Abroad, Sjana Elise, a yoga and movement coach, and Alyssa Ramos, a full-time traveler and content creator.

E-commerce sites like Thatch and Luxury Travel are contributing to the rise of so-called “Agents of Influence.”

Business Elegance

Offering more accessible and reasonably priced “unbundled” business class fares is a possibility, as more and more passengers express a desire to board the front of the aircraft.

One of the first airlines to introduce “special” business class tickets in 2019 was Emirates. These tickets had limited seat options, no lounge access, and no upgrade options. Following suit, Qatar Airlines introduced a Business Class Lite fare. Travelers must pay an additional fee to access lounges and to change their itinerary or dates, and they will also receive fewer Avios/Qmiles.

On the other end of the spectrum, some airlines are also setting up larger, exclusive “luxe” business class seats in row one. The new Upper Class Retreat Suite and JetBlue’s Studio on the A321LR are two examples.

On the other end of the spectrum, some airlines are also setting up larger, exclusive “luxe” business class seats in row one. Examples are the new Upper Class Retreat Suite from Virgin Atlantic and JetBlue’s Studio on the A321LR.

Traveling with Music

This year’s explosion of concerts and festivals has catered to a yearning for connection following the social disconnection caused by the pandemic, which grounded bands and musicians for months. It is anticipated that the trend will pick up speed as we approach 2024.

Half a million people attended Coachella in California in the summer of 2023, bringing in $1.5 billion for the local economy. In 2024, festival general admission passes will begin at $499.

Half a million people attended Coachella in California in the summer of 2023, bringing in $1.5 billion for the local economy. In 2024, festival general admission passes will begin at $499.

In 2024, Taylor Swift will still be touring and influencing travel throughout the world. There is a relationship between bookings and the dates of her concerts, per a recent media alert from Amadeus, which examined flight searches around performance dates in the Asia Pacific area. According to Amadeus research, Australia is preparing for a tourism boom as the number of live concerts returning to pre-pandemic levels approaches. With an average week-over-week growth of 446%, the February 2024 shows in Sydney and Melbourne had a “very significant impact” on booking volumes to Australia.

Skyways that  powered

The rise of skyways, which enable flying taxis, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and other types of electric aircraft to provide lower emission air travel options, both within urban areas, to satellite airports, cross-country, and between islands, is a potential solution to fossil fuel-powered transportation as cities get more congested and air pollution increases.

Though it may sound very futuristic, Joby Aviation plans to begin commercial eVTOL flights in the US in 2025. To that end, the airline has agreements in place to work with both Delta Air Lines and ANA, a Japanese carrier that wants to run e-taxi flights for Expo 2025 in Osaka. Volocopter has also announced plans to launch air taxi services in the state of Florida and recently partnered with Tampa International Airport to conduct the first urban air mobility test of an eVTOL at a major U.S. airport.