Top holiday trends for 2024

Experts have predicted the top holiday trends for 2024, including “picklecore”, “sportcations”, “boomerang tourism” – and “relactive” breaks. Going away to learn a new sport – dubbed the “sportcation” – is predicted to boom, as are “relactive” getaways, during which keeping active is seen as a good way to help you relax. Meanwhile, “boomerang tourism” will see grown-up children rejoin their parents for multi-generational holidays.

Other trends include the “solo-moon”, with 52 per cent of travellers considering going away by themselves to do whatever they want (57 per cent), and to meet new people (28 per cent). The trends have been forecasted by the overseas active holiday company, Neilson Beach Clubs, after conducting survey research and analysing its customer holiday data from summer 2023 booking data. This included 91 per cent of holidaymakers participating in a combination of different activities while on holiday in 2023 – an increase of four per cent.

The company saw paddleboarding, fitness classes, and water skiing, named as the activities guests are currently enjoying most – followed by wakeboarding, wake-surfing, and mountain biking. Furthermore, it has seen seven in 10 customers returning for another holiday the following year – creating the trend “repeat retreats”, where holidaymakers book their next trip to the same place.

Four in 10 are keen to learn a new sport on holiday – with Pickleball rising in popularity (Image: Neilson Beach Clubs/SWNS)

The report comes after research, of 2,000 UK adults, found 36 per cent would rather go on an activity-filled holiday than simply to relax. And yoga, paddleboarding, and cycling were among the top activities people like to get involved in while on vacation.

David Taylor, CEO at Neilson Beach Clubs, said: “We found these trends by looking closely at our customer data, so we can understand what is driving booking habits. “People are increasingly using their time away from work to not only recharge their batteries mentally, but stay in shape physically. We call this switching off by switching on.

“For those who exercise regularly at home, the thought of going two weeks without maintaining their fitness can actually be quite stressful, which would help explain this.” Another top trend picked out is “picklecore”, which reflects the rise in interest for the sport Pickleball – a mix of tennis, table tennis, and badminton, played with short bats over a net, and using a perforated plastic ball. Over a third would be interested in playing this on their travels, while 42 per cent would generally like to learn a new sport on holiday, as 72 per cent feel it would be fun.

Half believe it’s important to learn new skills, and nine per cent would do so because a celebrity had tried it. As a result, Neilson Beach Clubs will be quadrupling their courts across their overseas Beach Club resorts for 2024. Furthermore, 35 per cent feel the need to be active on their holidays, as they can’t fully relax when they are sunbathing – inspiring the “relactive break” trend.

It also emerged that just over half (54 per cent) would go abroad with their parents in 2024 – but only if mums and dads were happy to pick up the whole bill.

And one in three book their next holiday as soon as they get back from a trip – with four in ten of these looking to banish the post-holiday blues (Image: Neilson Beach Clubs/SWNS)

Others would go away with their folks to make memories for life (57 per cent), or simply to spend quality time with them (73 per cent), according to the OnePoll figures. Around two-thirds (65 per cent), however, said it’s important to them that any holiday destination has activities that match the passions of every generation, if they go on a family trip. For instance, the “fami-e-rides” trend is on the rise, seeing multi-generational holidaymakers taking trips on e-bikes increasingly more often.

It also emerged that one in three (34 per cent) would be likely to book a holiday as soon as they get back from their last one – with 38 per cent of those claiming it’s because they want to banish the holiday blues. David Taylor, from Neilson Beach Clubs, added: “We all know that a holiday provides that opportunity to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. “For most people, a holiday is not seen as a luxury – it’s a necessity for our well-being, a chance to recharge and spend time doing what we love.

“If an active holiday is your way of relaxing, taking the time to research destinations with activities everyone can enjoy is really vital – and so, for us, it’s important to stay on top of travel trends like the ones we’ve identified, to continue offering our customers great new experiences every year.”

Fred Sirieix, who has taken on the role of “Good Energy Officer” at Neilson Beach Clubs after his return from the I’m A Celebrity… jungle, added: “As GEO, going on active holidays with my family is something I get extremely excited about.

“Health and fitness has always been a passion of mine, and I fully embraced the Good Energy lifestyle over the past summer when I went to Greece – and can’t wait to do it all again next year.”