From Solo To Sober Trips: Experts Weigh In On 7 Travel Trends We Can Expect In 2024
Many Americans are set to travel more than they did in 2023. These are the trips they're planning, centering everything from destination dupes to sobriety.
Americans are looking to travel more in 2024 — or at least do the same amount of travel they did in 2023 based on the latest trend reports from experts. According to Skyscanner, 39% of U.S. travelers have budgeted to spend more on travel in 2024 compared to 2023. In a poll conducted by platform Intrepid Travel, most U.S. adults (57%) say they plan to take the same number of trips in 2024 as they did in 2023, and about one in four plan to travel more. From gig tripping to channeling the main character of popular TV shows, here’s how people want to explore this year.
Gig Tripping
Attending concerts and music festivals is a trending pastime for music lovers. If seeing your favorite artist is at the top of your list this year, you are not alone. Skyscanner reports that 44% of U.S. travelers would fly short haul to see their faves live, and 60% are open to traveling abroad to see artists perform. Some travelers have their sights set on local happenings. If that’s you, consider music events like Dreamville hosted by J. Cole in North Carolina, or The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The latter welcomes local and national recording artists across multiple genres throughout two weekends.
Alcohol-Free Travel
Although many hotels offer complimentary wine or champagne at check-in and fully stocked mini-bars, Expedia found that younger travelers are decentering alcoholic experiences. This phenomenon can be attributed to the growing wellness trend and an increase in visitors to destinations like Dubai, where drinking is not a part of the everyday culture. Expedia reported that half of travelers would be interested in staying at a hotel that offers easily accessible alcohol-free options like mocktails or nonalcoholic beer. One such place is the Ette Hotel in Orlando. With a focus on wellness, they are an alcohol-free establishment, crafting drinks that are good for mind and body.
Travel for Wellness
Speaking of a focus on wellness, the Global Wellness Institute predicts this kind of tourism will hit 1.3 trillion dollars by next year. From winter retreats to detoxing from devices, there are many ways travelers can have a wellness focused vacation based on their specific goals. Sleep tourism continues to be the number one for wellness, but other categories include sexual wellness, multi-generational retreats, and grief focused wellness. Another wellness component we can expect to see in tourism is menopause retreats and hotels (like Longfellow Hotel opening in Portland, Maine, this spring) that will have programs centered around women’s health.
Beautiful black women having fun at the beach. Wearing red matching swimsuits.
Celebration Vacationers
Celebratory vacations are not a new concept and still are a popular way to see the world. Travelers look for unique ways to mark momentous occasions like birthdays or anniversaries. Skyscanner shares that 79% of U.S. travelers participate in commemorative group trips amongst peers and loved ones. This year, Skyscanner searchers are looking for destinations within Canada, Spain and Mexico for their big moment.
Travel can have a hefty price tag. Global inflation isn’t making it any better. The price of flights, transportation, lodging, and meals can make some destinations unattainable for the average person. While people are searching for cheap places to visit, they are also searching for destination dupes, a trend started on TikTok by travel influencers. Destination dupes are cities with the same vibe as a popular area but at a fraction of the cost and with fewer crowds. Think of hidden gem cities. According to Expedia, some 2024 dupes are Paros for Santorini, Taipei for Seoul, and Memphis for Nashville.
Travel Based on Film and TV
With the number of reality shows and trending movies, it comes as no surprise that travelers want to tap into that main character energy. From breathtaking destinations to mouth-watering food and once-in-a-lifetime adventures, Skyscanner reports that 29% of U.S. travelers use film and TV as a source of travel inspiration when it comes to finding their next destination. Ultimately, travelers want to recreate iconic moments for Instaworthy posts. (Personally, everything from Queen Latifah’s iconic film, Last Holiday, is on my bucket list.) Similarly, Skyscanner says that 47% of U.S. travelers have booked a destination based on a specific restaurant they want to visit.
Solo Travel
Planning group trips can be a chore, often leading to friends backing out. After months of planning or saving, it can be a huge letdown. But, according to travel insurance company Allianz, 42% of younger Americans ages 18-34 are embracing the solo travel life. Travelers are keen on destinations that are diverse in culture, have a great food scene, bustling nightlife, and are easy to get around in terms of walkability or public transportation. One of my favorite solo travel destinations is Bellevue, Washington, about 30 minutes from Seattle. It encompasses all the traits that make a destination ideal for solo travel, adding a unique art scene at the hem of nature.
Bridal Bliss: Ozioma And Obi Tied The Knot In Stunning Fashion At A Castle In Barcelona
Four years after their wedding celebration was postponed due to COVID-19, the couple went big, in planning and opulence, with their destination wedding in Spain.
Ten years before Ozioma and Obi said, “I do,” they were just young pre-med students preparing to work hard to make their dreams come true. They didn’t expect to find love in the process.
Introduced in 2014 by a mutual friend and classmate, Ozioma, from Baltimore, and Obi, from New York, felt an instant attraction and even became study partners. Shortly after, the two began dating, and while they’d find themselves separated as they started medical school, the distance couldn’t keep them apart. Love began to grow, and after completing their programs, they did their clinical rotations in Miami, living together and solidifying their bond.
“Obi has consistently brought a sense of peace to my life,” Ozioma tells ESSENCE. “He makes me feel safe, and I never have to worry about anything when he is around. My friends and family always say, ‘Obi does not play about Ozy,’ which is very accurate.”
And she doesn’t play about him, either. Obi notes that her care for him and those around her, even her pups, let him know she was someone he needed. “Her consistency sealed the deal for me,” he shares. “Despite the ups and downs, she was always there—making sure I ate, was taken care of, and stayed connected with her friends. She genuinely took care of those around her — especially her dogs. She did not feel the need to go out all the time, but when she did, it was always joyful and a good time.”
By 2018, he was ready to propose. And while a grandiose proposal is nice, sometimes the more simple gestures can be just as impactful. According to Obi, he asked for her hand while they road-tripped from her native Baltimore to Georgia, where they would complete the same residency program together.
“As I navigated to Baltimore, memories flooded my mind, but it was a heartfelt conversation with my mother that truly encouraged me to take this leap,” he recalls. “I chose to seize the moment and popped the question during our drive to Georgia, which marked the start of our lives together.”
In the summer of 2019, they had their traditional Nigerian wedding and planned to have their white wedding in October 2020. But, of course, COVID-19 made that impossible. The couple canceled their original plans and opted for a courthouse ceremony, hopeful that they’d have their big celebration soon enough. But a postponed wedding didn’t stop them from starting their lives together. The pair welcomed their first child, a daughter named Zara, and during their babymoon to Barcelona prior to her birth in 2022, they fell head over heels for the locale.
“During that trip, I instantly fell in love with Barcelona because of its beauty, the beaches, shopping and nightlife, and of course, the food!” Ozioma says. After stumbling upon a stunning venue on Instagram, the Castillo de Sant Marçal, a restored castle dating back to the 12th century, they locked it down and prepared to tie the knot in Spain. On October 22, 2024, four years from their original white wedding date, they did just that. From the extravagant aisle Ozioma journeyed down with her father to marry her soulmate to the incredible decor, including flowers from the floor to the ceiling, and a combination of sparklers inside and fireworks outside, after the pandemic tried to put a damper on their efforts to celebrate their love, they joyously went all out with their young daughter by their side. The day was a dream come true.
“My planner and her team perfectly executed my vision,” Ozioma says. “I couldn’t have been happier after planning for this day for such a long time. It was truly a day filled with joy and love.”
This is evident when you take a look at the couple’s gorgeous wedding album, shot by star wedding photographer Stanley Babb. Learn more about their love story, how their day came together, and what their future holds in this week’s Bridal Bliss and the relaunched video series “Behind Bridal Bliss” — just in time for Valentine’s Day!
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Sitting Pretty
“Over the past 11 years, Obi has demonstrated intentionality and unwavering care for me from the big to the small moments,” says Ozioma, captured on a bed of white roses during wedding prep. “I have no doubt he is my person.”
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A Dapper Dude
Obi puts the finishing touches on his look, with a little help from his friends. When asked how he knew Ozioma was his soulmate, he says, “I tend to be logical, so I knew early on she was my person, during our prep class for medical school. Her discipline and priorities were clear—she cooked twice a day, stayed very connected with her family, had a close-knit group of friends, and maintained a strong sense of faith, all while managing her classes and daily studies.”
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Gorgeous Girls
“In practice, I knew she was the one during our second year living together in Miami during med school rotations. That’s when I truly got to really know her. I met most of her friends, and they were all solid, decent people,” Obi says. Ozioma is pictured here with a few of her closest friends, her bridesmaids.
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The Groom and His Men
Obi shares a light moment with his groomsmen during pre-wedding portraits.
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The Bride’s Tribe
The ladies served looks during their last pre-wedding portraits together. The bridesmaids’ gowns were made by image consultant and bridal stylist King Aiyéh, who helped Ozioma obtain her own Matopeda Atelier gown.
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Ready for Love
A gleeful Obi is captured in his ensemble, a look by Uomo Migliore. He would wear two suits from the designer, and the groomsmen wore the designer as well.
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The First Look
We love the excitement both parties expressed when they saw each other for the sweet first look moment. “I envisioned a gown that would shimmer with crystals but was still elegant and timeless,” Ozioma says of her look. “Also, given that our wedding was set in a castle, I wanted my gown to reflect a fairytale ambiance. Matope brought my dream to life. I was very happy with my wedding gown.”
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The Road to the Altar
The aisle leads to the altar, which was placed in front of the steps of the stunning Castillo de Sant Marçal.
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Obi the Father
“The little girl Obi helped walk down the aisle is our 23-month-old daughter, Zara Adaora,” says Ozioma. “It was a surprising moment because during the wedding rehearsal she was shy and would not walk down the aisle.”
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Here Comes the Bride
Escorted down the aisle by her father, Ozioma looked good — and more importantly, she looked overjoyed to be making her way to her soon-to-be husband. She says it’s one of her favorite moments from the day.
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Reading of the Vows
Ozioma and Obi exchanged vows as the ceremony commenced. They, along with the castle, were lit up in a lovely way as the sun set while the event was underway.
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An Extra Special Kiss
Obi kissed his bride as sparklers and colorful smoke were let off behind them.
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A Family Affair
The couple took portraits with many important guests, including their parents. We love this image of Ozioma and Obi with a VIP, their daughter Zara.
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The Reception
While the wedding was outside, the reception was inside the castle. The hall space was elaborately decorated, with stunning chandeliers sitting among beautiful florals. Elisa Bertrán was responsible for all the flowers, and the wedding planner, Priscilla Llorens Corbellini, made the couple’s vision a reality.
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Happy Campers
“My favorite moment was watching my wife’s reaction when she saw the inside of the wedding venue,” Obi says. “She had put so much effort into bringing her vision to life, and seeing it all come together was truly special.”
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Spray Me
As the lovebirds made their entrance for the reception, they had to make a beeline to the dance floor, where they were met by their guests, ready to spray them with money and dance with them.
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The First Dance
After being welcomed in, Ozioma and Obi took to the dance floor again to two-step together for the first time as husband and wife. Cold sparklers went off to mark the moment.
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Daddy-Daughter Dance
Obi shared a special dance with all of the women in his life, including Ozioma, his mom, and as you can see here, the littlest lady he loves.
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This Calls for a Spray
Of course, it was only right that father and daughter were sprayed by loved ones, including the proud bride who hit the dance floor with a large stack of dollars.
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Let Them Eat Cake
The couple cut the towering creation that was their wedding cake during the reception fun. Clearly, a regular knife couldn’t do it justice, so they utilized a sword.
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Baby, You’re a Firework
Everyone stepped outside to enjoy a firework show, and the couple were in their element as the sky sparkled.
“Khris designed and created my silver after-party dress, inspired by Tina Turner,” says Ozioma. “It embodied a carefree, celebratory vibe as the wedding came to an end.” Obi was in another look by Uomo Migliore, whom he lauds for creating elegant, charming and fashion-forward looks that felt in step with Barcelona style.
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It’s a Circus in Here
During the reception, in addition to dancing the night away, guests enjoyed performances from a stilt walker and juggler.
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What the Future Holds
“We are excited to spend the rest of our lives together, and to experience all that life has to offer,” the bride says. “We both share a love for traveling, and we cannot wait for many more adventures and exploring new cultures along the way. Above all, we are truly each other’s best friends, and we are thrilled to see what the future holds for us.”