Fora’s 2024 Hot List reveals destinations and new hotel openings in demand: Travel trends white paper to be released in Jan. 2024
NEW YORK — In celebration of hitting $150 million in travel bookings, the modern travel agency Fora is unveiling data-backed insight on next year’s travel trends in its 2024 Hot List.
The second annual edition of the Hot List, the thought piece is based on historical data as well as an analysis of early 2024 bookings data — advisors have already booked nearly 10,000 vacations for next year — and industry intel on the buzziest new hotel openings and airline routes, and more.
“Looking at travel trends through data — and combining it with the expertise of our Fora Advisors and travel experts from around the world — is a big part of what sets Fora’s business model apart,” Fora Co-Founder Henley Vazquez said. “Combining the scale of a big booking site with the expertise of a real person is how our advisors plan memorable trips near and far for travelers.”
While the full Hot List will be released in January, the Fora team could not wait to share a few trending destinations;
1) Small U.S. cities: Move over Los Angeles and New York City, cities like New Orleans and Austin are in Fora’s top five most-booked destinations in the U.S. for the first time. Virgin Hotels New Orleans is Fora’s #1 top-booked domestic hotel for 2024. And with Nobu Hotel New Orleans slated to open late next year – along with the recently opened Arrive New Orleans in the trendy Bywater neighborhood – the city is as in-demand as ever.
“What’s fun about these cities is even if you only have a long weekend, you can get a grasp on the cultural, culinary, and shopping scenes, prompting the eternal question ‘Could I actually live here?’” Vazquez said.
2) San Sebastián, Spain: This northern city in the mountainous Basque country is rising in the ranks as one of the top five Spanish destinations for the very first time in 2024. This new status is in part thanks to a trendy new hotel opening: Nobu Hotel San Sebastián opened in August. Fora travelers also love the city’s sophisticated AKELARRE Hotel, with its three-Michelin-starred restaurant.
“Calling all foodies. It is no exaggeration to say San Sebastián has the most incredible food scene I’ve ever experienced in my life,” Fora Advisor Anny Chen said.
3) Panama: Panama has already garnered more bookings than Aruba, Saint Lucia, Puerto Rico and even Belize (which were far more popular in Fora’s bookings than Panama in 2023). Stay at Isla Palenque, or for a splurge, Isla Secas.
Fora Advisor Aubrey Jackson said: “I consider Panama the Miami of Latin America. It seamlessly blends breathtaking natural beauty, the awe-inspiring Panama Canal, a rich tapestry of cultural influences and luxurious accommodations.”
4) Bucket-list Asia: Japan was among the top 10 most-booked countries in 2023 and is again in 2024. Top-booked hotels by Fora Advisors for 2024 include the modern Zentis Osaka, which opened in July 2020, and the stunning HOSHINOYA Tokyo, a stunning ryokan. Bhutan is also a rising star; the U.S. became the top market for the Six Senses Bhutan for the first time in Sept. and Oct. 2023.
“I’ve been all over the world, and Japan is easily my favorite country I’ve ever visited,” said Fora Advisor Bria Rosenberg. “From the most delicious foods to the rich culture, and the gorgeous architecture and nature, Japan is a must-visit destination.”
5) The Land Down Under: Fora is already seeing an uptick in Australia travel, especially in Feb. 2024, when this country is in mid-summer. In 2022, The Langham, Gold Coast opened its doors, and later this year, The Standard, Melbourne is expected to bring the brand’s edgy, cheeky charm to Victoria’s capital.
“The thing about Australia is you can’t attempt to see it all in one trip. Take your time and explore a few cities or regions at a time, but prioritize if you want to dive along the Great Barrier Reef, spend time on the beaches, seek out local wildlife, learn about Indigenous culture or road trip into the Outback,” Vazquez said. Vazquez’s own mother is exploring Australia right now via a cruise booked by one of Fora’s top cruise advisors, Amy Lagrow-Rogers.
The entire 2024 Hot List will be available in January at ForaTravel.com.
“There’s a place on the Hot List for every kind of traveler,” Vazquez said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re taking a long weekend or a two-week dream vacation. We use data to help our advisors keep their fingers on the pulse of what’s trending so they can help travelers get the most out of their vacation days.”
About Fora
Launched in 2021, Fora is a new kind of travel agency, with a modern, tech-forward, and inclusive approach. Built for the next generation of entrepreneurs, Fora empowers anyone with a passion for travel to earn flexible income booking trips – with expert training and marketing tools, an intuitive technology platform and global community hub. By overhauling industry pain points and removing barriers to entry, Fora is redefining and revitalizing the travel agent industry (one awesome trip at a time).
Fora is one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2023, a Travel Tech Titans 2023 winner, PhocusWire’s Hot 25 Travel Startups for 2023 and one of Condé Nast Traveler’s “Bright Ideas in Travel.” Learn more at www.foratravel.com.