In 2024, the possibilities for family-friendly adventures are unprecedented. With an increasing number of families putting travel at the top of their priority list, let’s dive into the trends and predictions that will shape the year ahead.
Micro-education on Vacation
2024 will be the year where family travel and worldschooling intersect. Worldschooling, where families ditch conventional schooling in favor of travel-based experiential learning, might not be in the cards for everyone, but the principles of this approach will be applied broadly to family travel this year and beyond.
Julie Frieder, Angela Heisten, and Annika Paradise, the co-authors of “Wonder Year: A Guide to Long-Term Family Travel and Worldschooling,” hone in on the value of integrating education into family travel. “We know that young brains are heavily impacted by the experiences they have,” they note. “So why not share with them the art, architecture, history, food, culture, and texture of societies besides the one in which they were raised?”
In 2024, families will incorporate the worldschool philosophy into their vacations through micro-educational experiences. Parents will create their own mini curriculum for trips, reading books about the destination and local culture with their kids before the trip and learning through museums and local workshops while traveling.
To build these learning opportunities into the travel experience, the “Wonder Year” co-authors recommend posing a few questions during the planning process, such as, “Do you have family goals, such as exploring your heritage or maximizing your time in nature?” or “Where is your comfort zone, and what experiences might reasonably push the edge for your family?”
Families can leverage the growing library of resources online—including worldschooling Facebook groups and blogs written by worldschooling families like Anna Everywhere, Where’s Sharon, and World Travel Family—to customize educational experiences that will broaden the entire family’s understanding of a place.
Family Trips Become Multi-Generational
The best thing to bring when traveling with kids? The grandparents.
Beyond providing help with childcare (a boon when traveling with young children), more parents will opt to bring the grandparents along on vacation to create long-lasting bonds that transcend generations.
A recent study from the Family Travel Associate (FTA) and NYU discovered that more than 50 percent of parents surveyed said they are planning to travel with grandparents and children. With this uptick in multi-generational travel, we’ll likely see families choosing relaxing destinations (think beaches and resorts) over big-city trips in 2024.
Safaris are another type of multi-generational trip that will get a popularity boost in 2024, and Kruger Gate Hotel CEO Anton Gillis has already noticed an influx of families booking them. “Parents, little ones, elders, and teens should find that a chance to unwind in nature, disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and marvel at breathtaking Kruger Park sightings—particularly the Big Five—is enjoyed by all,” he says.
Instead of taking trips that are heavy on logistical planning or involve multiple stops, multigenerational families will focus on destinations where they can stay put and go deep with local experiences that bring them together—like game drives, cooking classes, walking tours, dance lessons or simply relaxing by the pool.
“Second Cities” Will Be Big
With over-tourism affecting major travel destinations, families will elect to visit the “second cities” of the world for trips that have fewer crowds and more positive impact.
Fodor’s 2024 No List highlights popular destinations that have been damaged by tourism impact, and major European cities like Athens and Venice are on the list of destinations that should be reconsidered.
Instead, Thessaloniki is a great option for families visiting Greece, as is Verona in Italy. Rick Steves refers to second cities as “back doors” and describes them as “undiscovered corners and untrampled towns that [have], for various reasons, missed the modern parade.”
For families, second cities can provide an outstanding cultural experience without the consequences and inconveniences associated with visiting a major tourist destination. After all, waiting in long lines, fighting for restaurant reservations, and braving crowds with kids in tow aren’t exactly fun moments of a family trip. By selecting a second city instead of a main hub, families may have to make more of an effort to get there, but the experience at the destination will be more relaxed and help them maximize their precious time together.
Sustainability and Responsibility Will Drive Family Travel Decisions
Eco-friendly lodging—whether vacation rentals, camping accommodations, or hotels with sustainable practices—will gain favor among families in 2024. According to Booking.com’s 2024 Travel Predictions, 53 percent of global travelers are looking for accommodations with “wow-factor sustainability innovation.” Parents will use the intentional choice of lodging to educate children on the benefits of traveling in a manner that supports the environment around them.
Finally, the slow-travel trend will pick up traction with families. According to Pinterest Predicts 2024, the search term “slow living” has increased significantly heading into 2024. The platform predicts that Gen Z and Millennials will retreat to “laid-back locales that offer the opposite of a jam-packed itinerary.”
One bonus? A slower, more mindful approach to travel might make the planning process a bit more manageable for busy parents.
For more predictions, check out our full list of 2024 travel trends.
