5 Trends for Traveling in 2024
2023 was an absolutely epic year for Explorer X — in fact, it was our best year ever in terms of revenue, number of travel experiences planned, community engagement, and more. The following 5 trends emerged in 2023 – and we expect them to continue to grow in 2024 and beyond!
Trend #1:
Destination: Unknown has officially arrived.
What: In 2022, we designed and delivered 5 total Destination: Unknown Adventures. In 2023, that number jumped up to 10 – and we already have 4 D:Us planned for 2024! And several travelers loved their experience so much that they have already gone on or (or planned) their 2nd and even 3rd D: U Adventure!
Note: Explorer X has also been featured in Forbes, the New York Times, Seattle Met, and other online publications as a leader in these ‘mystery trips’ or ‘surprise experiences.’
Why: The thrill of not knowing where you are going and/or what you are going to do is, in the words of one of our travelers, “intoxicating.” So much of our daily lives is planned days, months, even years in advance; having a travel experience planned for you but not knowing where you are going offers travelers that sense of adventure and the ‘feeling of being alive’ that many are missing in their day-to-day lives.
Trend #2: Traveling to Celebrate Special Occasions
What: In 2023, we saw a sharp spike in the number of people traveling for special occasions, specifically big birthdays (often those ending in a zero) and anniversaries. Of course, we also had the honor of planning some pretty epic honeymoons, and even got to plan an engagement proposal on one of our trips!
Why: The ‘Experience Economy’ is inspiring people to focus more on doing things as the best way to spend their time and money instead of having things. Travel experiences are more meaningful, create lifelong memories, and are enjoyed by both giver and recipient more than getting someone a watch or a necklace for a birthday or anniversary. You know that trip you’ve been dreaming of for years? Maybe now is the time to start planning!
Note: Check out The Experience Economy by Joseph Pine and Time and How to Spend It by James Wallman for more on these topics!
Trend #3: Traveling with Friends & Family
What: Historically, the majority of people who booked a travel experience with Explorer X were couples. But in 2023, the percentage of people traveling with siblings, extended family, and/or friends in small groups (4–8 people) rose dramatically, and that trend looks to be continuing into 2024.
Why: What we’ve heard from many of these groups is that since more and more people can live/work anywhere, people are more spread out around the world. That makes getting together regularly harder to do, so instead, they coordinate schedules and plan an epic travel experience together!
Trend #4: More People are Embracing Mindful Travel
What: While Explorer X has always been based on the concepts of mindful or transformative travel, the number of people who have meaningfully engaged in the conversations and content we offer has traditionally been modest. But in 2023, we saw more and more people actively engage with the resources and the tools we offer; better yet, we had more people seek out a trip with Explorer X because of our passion for mindful travel.
Why: Globally, the concept of mindful or transformative travel is becoming more mainstream and less niche. Travelers are embracing the idea that you can simultaneously have fun and have an impactful and profound experience while out exploring. In fact, those we spoke to this year that had the most powerful travel experiences with us said that the two are often intertwined: The most impactful experiences were the ones that were also the most fun and engaging.
Trend #5: We’re Building a Community of Travelers
What: As a younger business, the past 6+ years have been spent building a brand identity and connecting with like-minded people who love exploring the world mindfully. In 2023, we saw more and more of those people come back to Explorer X for the 2nd, 3rd, even 4th trip. And just as importantly, they referred friends and family to us. In other words, we’re building a supportive community of travelers dedicated to traveling better and living better.
Why: We think of our travelers as friends, not clients, and do our best to get to know them as people and as travelers. Our high-touch approach to travel design and the way we invite people to get more out of their adventures by diving into some of the mindful travel concepts resonates with our travelers. And, honestly, we are just good at what we do: We design epic travel experiences, people love them, they come back for more, and they want their friends and family to have the oportunity to travel with us as well.