Where you should go in 2024 depends on which hot list you trust

“The luxury side of the travel industry is still alive and well,” Expedia Group managing director Daniel Finch said while launching Expedia’s 2024 Travel Trends report.

“This year, it felt like every Australian who could, went to Europe. Next year, we’re predicting a slowdown on long-haul; my hunch is people will make shorter trips closer to home.”

Mr Finch said “destination duping” – the practice of swapping overcrowded, too popular and expensive cities and regions for slightly lesser-known and often cheaper spots with similar scenery or experiences – would continue as people looked to drive their holiday dollar further.

Another strong trend is “set jetting”, whereby popular location-based shows like Emily in Paris, Outlander and White Lotus drive consumer behaviour. Expedia found that more than 40 per cent of travellers surveyed said they had researched or booked a trip to a destination after seeing it on a television show or in a movie.

National Geographic Traveller has just anointed the Albanian Alps as its pick of the world for the next 12 months. The tiny Balkan nation of 2.83 million citizens is revered for its wild landscapes, proud cultural heritage, and high-adrenalin activities – from hiking to whitewater rafting and skiing.

From wild adventure to urban trails: London-based global publishing juggernaut Time Out took a different tack, looking at the “world’s coolest neighbourhoods”, which Laureles in Medellín, Colombia, topped.

“Laureles took the top spot this year for its authentic balance of laid-back vibes alongside some of the best nightlife in the city, while maintaining a traditional Colombian feel,” says Time Out, adding travellers should head to the “renowned nightlife strip La 70 and Estadio Atanasio Girardot”, plus enjoy the many parks and coffee shops.

Dublin’s Smithfield neighbourhood came in second, followed by Carabanchel in Madrid.

American Forbes magazine secured itself a forever spot in the hearts of Sardinians after naming the island its number one of 24 global destinations – due to the beauty of its beaches, the gourmet food, and the archaeology, plus other tourism activities on offer.

As one local luxury hotel site noted online, Forbes placed Sardinia “above esteemed destinations in Japan, Mexico, Greece, and French Polynesia”. But actually, you could argue that Forbes was catching up with Condé Nast Traveller’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards – which nominated Sardinia as Europe’s number one island, ahead of Mykonos and Ibiza.

CN Traveler’s “24 best places to go in 2024” – one of countless lists CN will roll out on the topic in coming months – is led by Hungary’s Budapest, the Cyclades in Greece, then Yorkshire in the United Kingdom.

So many lists, so little time. Forget the actual travel. Just stay home, trying to figure out where on earth you should go.

For The Australian Financial Review’s take on travel in 2024, see our Top 50 Hot List of what is new in the Life & Leisure supplement.