TORONTO — We’re just days away from a brand new year, which means plenty new opportunities to see the world and experience destinations for the first time. But which destinations should be at the top of the list?
The features are endless for the 4. 7 billion people expected to arrive in 2024, IATA reports, an all-time high that surpasses the 4. 5 billion recorded before the pandemic in 2019. But according to tour operators, some notable destinations are expected to be the highlights. sensible stories next year. Here’s what they propose for a sunny and adventurous year:
JAPAN
It’s been just over a year since Japan reopened its borders to foreign travelers, and since then, the country has bounced back considerably. In September 2023, it welcomed more than two million foreign guests for the fourth consecutive month, with guest numbers at 96. 1% of pre-COVID-19 degrees observed in 2019.
“Visitors returned to Japan in droves in 2023, with an immediate increase from North America, and this momentum continues,” says Hiroshi Kawaguchi, general manager of Oku Japan, a Kyoto-based adventure operator that offers self-guided adventures. -Guided group walking tours in Japan. ” There is a high demand for hotels, especially along the Kumano Kodo and Nakasendo trails. As the number of visitors is limited to hotels in those spaces to maintain the herbaceous environment and local culture, we inspire others to book electronically as soon as possible.
Oku Japan has the 11-day Japan Hiking Highlights: The Kumano Kodo and the Nakasendo Trail, priced at $8,515 per person, based on two travellers sharing a room. Departing from March to November, it includes visits to Zen temples and bamboo groves in Kyoto, a special lunch with a geisha or maiko (apprentice geisha), lunch with an artisanal miso producer, a flat-bottomed boat ride along the Kumano River to Hayatama Taisha, and visits to all three Grand Shrines of pilgrimage on the Kumano Kodo, plus three days of hiking on this UNESCO World Heritage route.
Okushu Tours is also seeing increased interest in Japan, which general manager Lisa Lau says is largely due to direct and oblique flights from Canada.
“It’s becoming less and less difficult to book, and many foreign cruise lines now offer cruises around the island or trips that start and/or end in Japan,” Lau says. “Travel agents take advantage of this opportunity to sell a high-value excursion package by offering pre- and post-cruise extensions, shore excursions and exclusive experiences. “
To avoid the crowds, Lau recommends visiting lesser-known cities in Japan, like Shikoku, Chubu, Chugoku and Hokkaido, which offer many of the same experiences and culture as major hotspots. Okushu offers a variety of shorter trips such as a three-day pilgrimage wellness tour in Shikoku, and a three-day Ninja training tour with an overnight at a beer onsen resort in Mie.
Finally, Japan is Goway’s top destination of choice for 2024 due to the country’s “timeless tradition, cutting-edge innovation and mluti-gen appeal,” says Renee Stanton, Director of Sales. Stanton recommends Goway’s eight-day Classic Japan guided vacation, which is priced from $3,649 and begins in Kyoto before continuing on to Hiroshima, Tokyo and Mt. Fuji.
PERU
After the political turmoil of early 2023, which led to the closure of Machu Picchu, Peru is now gearing up for a pivotal year in tourism, says Tom Smith, vice president of sales and marketing for North America at Intrepid Travel.
“Peru is finally making a comeback and is expected to become a popular choice in 2024, with strong interest from Canadians eager to enjoy Machu Picchu for themselves,” Smith says. The unfortunate January shutdown led to cancellations for a year. Today, in spite of everything, Peru is living its moment.
This year, Intrepid worked with local communities in the Sacred Valley to open a new segment of the Quarry Trail, giving visitors an exclusive experience on their Machu Picchu adventure. The company’s 12-day expedition, “Peru Expedition: Travel the Great Inca Highway,” priced at $4,445, are little-visited industrial routes connected to the Inca Empire in the Andes. Starting and ending in Lima, visitors will sign up for a local chef and a classic llama caravan along historic trails few have. never seen, visiting archaeological sites along the way.
Transat also expects a significant year for Peru, depending on the trajectory of demand since it announced the expansion of its program earlier this year. Air Transat will begin operating year-round nonstop flights to Lima from Toronto and Montreal by the end of the year. December 2023, becoming the only carrier to offer nonstop service between Peru and Canada. This, along with a wide variety of destination products, gives Canadians even more reasons to travel to Peru in 2024.
“We have carefully combined a variety of packages and à la carte hotels in Lima, of course, but also in Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Urubamba and Puno. In addition, we will soon offer a variety of tours to other regions of Peru to cater to a variety of interests, from the Andes to immersing ourselves in the country’s rich history and culture,” says Marie-Eve Vallières, Public Resources Angelestions and Content Marketing Strategy Advisor at Transat.
PORTUGAL
“The numbers don’t lie,” says David Green, CEO of G Adventures. “Portugal has experienced remarkable growth: the number of travellers has tripled since 2019 and increased by 33% compared to 2022. “
Green notes that new direct flights to Porto from New York, Boston and Toronto with Azores Airlines will increase the number of visitors to the destination next summer, so he suggests going there before it becomes even more popular.
G Adventures’ seven-day Portugal Highlights itinerary, priced at $1,749 per person, connects Lisbon to Porto and includes a variety of original local experiences, adding a classic meal with a fado display in one of Lisbon’s oldest neighborhoods and UNESCO visits. . World Heritage Sites such as the Monastery of Batalha, the University of Coimbra and the charming town of Sintra.
UZBEKISTAN
Green is also expecting big numbers for Uzbekistan in 2024, and for the “Stans” in general, which he says are incredibly popular with travelers to tick the big destinations off their bucket list. Uzbekistan, in particular, recorded 53% year-over-year. increasing e-bookings, exceeding 2019 figures by 16%. Among the many reasons to book this destination via email are the Tashkent Center for Islamic Civilization, opened in April 2024, and the Center for Contemporary Art, opened in 2019, either of which are “two new cultural centers meant to attract the attention of travelers,” Green says. “
G Adventures’ 10-day Highlights of Uzbekistan, priced from $2,179 per person, begins and ends in Tashkent and includes a visit to the Chashma Complex, a pilgrimage site in the territory of Nurata featuring ruins of Alexander the Great’s fortress, swimming in the remote Aydarkul Lake, and an overnight stay in a local yurt camp complete with an authentic Uzbekistan dinner and Kasakh singing show.
THAILAND
With “increased interest in Southeast Asia in 2023,” Collette expects that momentum to continue in 2024, says PR specialist Sam LaFrance. The company’s 16-day “Essence of Thailand” tour is not short of consistent experiences that allow travelers to immerse themselves in local culture, from visiting an endangered elephant sanctuary and marble temple, to tuk tuk rides and spending time with local monks. Travelers can reserve their spot on this tour, with a departure date as early as January 25, 2024, with costs starting at $4,449 depending on the child. The dates are planned for 2024 and 2025.
ITALY
Although it is not an emerging destination, Italy will still be on the list of the most sensible Canadians in 2024, says the Globus brand family circle. Based on recent sales figures and the 10,000 users who responded to the company’s “Wish List. ” In the survey, Italy ranked first (22%) among all other destinations among Globus consumers next year.
“It’s no wonder that Italy has the highest honors here: Italy is awesome,” says Steve Born, chief marketing officer for the Globus family of brands. “From the art of Michelangelo to the excellent gastronomy of the whole country, Italy invites you to enjoy the ‘dolce vita’ in each and every aspect. And Globus is a specialist in Italy with an unrivalled diversity of regions, tour styles and seasons.
New for 2024 is Globus’ seven-day That’s Amore!: Italy by Design, priced from $2,669 with highlights like truffle hunting, bicycling in Florence, exploring the storied streets of Trastevere in Rome, and complimentary YourChoice Excursions.
ICELAND
Ask Stephanie Roles of On the Go Tours, commercial sales manager for North America, and she’ll tell you that Iceland will be a trendy destination in 2024, with new volcanic activity generating interest and queries. She recommends the company’s five-day “Land of the Northern Lights” tour, which visitors can extend overnight with a pre- or post-stay to restrict vacations to less than a week. And Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon is currently closed due to increased seismic activity. Roles notes that the itinerary includes an equally impressive thermal bath. “Land of the Northern Lights” costs between $1,600 and $2,500, depending on the time of year, with a 30% discount.
GREECE
Greece is among Air Canada Vacations’ most sensible destinations for 2024. Travelers can choose from several of the best-selling tours, including: the eight-night “Best of Greece,” which visits Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini for $3099; the 11-night “Island Delights” with most of the senses in Athens, Mykonos, Heraklion/Crete and Santorini; and the 10-night “Island Discovery,” which includes Athens, Mykonos, Paros and Santorini. All packages include flight, hotel, must-sees, and more. Go to https://vacations. aircanada. com/en/all-destinations/europe/greece for more information.
CUBA
Cuba, a true favorite among Canadian travelers, will be even more popular in 2024,” says Melanie Anne Filipp, Senior Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at Sunwing Vacations Group. This is largely due to the fact that Sunwing has added two new destinations for the 2023-2024 winter season: Cienfuegos, on Cuba’s southern coast, and Cuba’s Manzanillo, on the island’s northeast coast.
“In addition, last year’s reintroduction of the Key Largo boutique destination into Sunwing’s expansive portfolio will continue to be popular with Canadians looking for a quiet place to disconnect from everyday life and reconnect with themselves in nature,” said Filipp. enjoy a low-key lifestyle with some of the Caribbean’s most productive dive sites, pristine snorkeling conditions, and marine reserves. This season, flights and vacation packages will be offered from Toronto and Montreal exclusively through Sunwing.
Filipp also notes that Sunwing offers multi-destination vacation packages that allow travelers to revel in both worlds in Cuba (beach life in Varadero and city life in Havana) in one undeniable package.
Cindy is an associate editor at Travelweek and has been with the company since 2007. He has traveled to more than 50 countries and counts Kenya, Morocco, Thailand and Turkey among his favorite destinations.
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