When to plan a trip to Kyoto

As the sun sets on 2023, Trip.com Group, a global leader in online travel services, reflects on the dynamic landscape of travel over the past year, offering insights into the trends set to shape the journey in 2024. China’s border reopening sparks global travel surge

After some gentle winter sunshine to warm your skin and soothe your soul? Take a trip to Gozo, an island with wonderful coastal scenery a short ferry ride from Malta. Walk along the coastline; swim in untouched waters on secluded beaches and admire the neo-Romanesque architecture of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Ta’ Pinu. Spend the evenings eating freshly caught fish with a glass of Maltese wine, which rivals its Mediterranean neighbours in quality. Laura B

Hop a plane across several time zones, and you may end up with what scientists call circadian dysrhythmia (aka jet lag). It’s a temporary sleep disorder where your body’s internal clock isn’t in sync with the time cues in your destination—daylight, dark of night, mealtimes.

What a thrill to journey by train to St Moritz in the snowy Swiss Alps to see the work of Gerhard Richter (born in 1932), the German painter who critics describe as our “greatest living artist.” His works can be found in international collections and have been exhibited in numerous museums and galleries in Europe and the United States. He’s also the most expensive European living artist (his abstract painting Abstraktes Bild (599) sold for a record $46.3 million at Sotheby's in London). While Richter’s paintings are highly covetable, collectors visiting his new three-venue exhibition in the Swiss Alps must be content with simply viewing the works as none are for sale.

Tripla, which provides a booking engine to hotels in Japan and Southeast Asia, has acquired a hotel tech company in Taiwan.

Kyoto is a relatively compact city with a great public transport network, making traveling around a breeze. Its easily navigable streets and mostly flat ground also mean it's an enjoyable destination to explore by bike or on foot.

Travel from a remote snow-covered station high on a mountain plateau, through a lush valley packed with astonishing views, remarkable tunnels, and powerful waterfalls, down to a picturesque fjord-side village nestled beside classic Norwegian fjord landscape all in less than one hour. This is what awaits you on Norway’s incredible Flåm Railway.

Japan has a reputation as an etiquette-bound place that can be intimidating for first-time visitors. Don’t buy it. The traditions here are no more formal or constricting than in many other destinations around the world. Moreover, most locals are more than willing to help out or give foreign travelers a pass for any perceived faux pas.

There’s no place quite like Sweden, whether you travel there for Stockholm or all of the gorgeous places outside of Stockholm). It can, however, be pricey. For those in the market for a new car, you can get that plus a free trip to Sweden when you purchase a Volvo. The car brand has a new buying option called the Overseas Delivery Tourist Program, where you can visit Sweden as a perk of buying one of the vehicles. All you have to do is buy a car and pick it up in Gothenburg.

Once upon a time, you could only visit Saudi on a pilgrimage or a business sponsorship visa. But a few years ago, the country opened its doors to tourists from more than 60 countries, including the United States, by offering an eVisa. The eVisa is part of Saudi Vision 2030, the country’s plan to diversify its economy and emerge as a hub for tourism and entertainment — and there’s never been a better time to visit. With a blend of indulgent luxury and authentic charm, Saudi is rich in cultural experiences, breathtaking landscapes, extravagant accommodations, and futuristic visions.

Japan may be small, but with its captivating blend of tradition and modernity, and its bustling cities and stunning countryside, it offers a mighty experience to visitors. No matter when you choose to visit, a wealth of experiences await you.

The outbound travel recovery in China is stuck at just over half of 2019 levels, but there’s at least one promising sign of future demand: Domestic tourism is 90% above 2019 levels.