Aer Lingus’ new travel trend research revealed during the January sale over half (60%) of adults in Ireland took two or more holidays abroad in 2023 and that trend is expected to continue this year. 63% of those surveyed set resolutions, with travel being a key priority for 41%, alongside health and financial goals.
Spain leads the way as the top choice for 60% of travellers, followed by Portugal (30%), and France (26%) for most popular destinations for 2024 European travel, other favoured destinations include the Greek Islands, Turkey, and Sicily.
This growing interest in exploring new locales aligns with Aer Lingus’ introduction of new routes in Summer 2024 to Crete, Sicily, and Turkey, offering exciting opportunities for travellers seeking to indulge their cultural curiosity.
The most popular North American destinations for 2024 travel are New York (61%), followed by Florida (29%) and Boston (21%).
54% of those surveyed are finding inspiration for their travels through recommendations from friends and family. Instagram is the next most popular source at 30%, closely followed by review websites (28%). For Gen Z travelers, social media plays a more significant role, with inspiration from friends and family remaining strong at 52% and an increased preference for TikTok (39%), and Instagram (38%).
The majority of those surveyed are longing for a relaxing holiday this year, with 57% citing leisure as their main reason for travel. This is followed by 16% who plan to travel to visit friends or family, and 15% seeking adventure.
When it comes to deciding factors for travel, cost is the primary consideration for 36% of respondents, followed by the desire for sunshine (24%) and the appeal of the destination (17%).
For those aged 65 and older, cost is less of a concern, influencing only 13% of travellers in this age group, compared to over a third (35%) of younger demographics who cite cost as their primary consideration.
Irish Aviation Research Institute © 14 January 2024 All Rights Reserved
