Your Year in Travel, Wrapped

19.12.2024 - 07:55 / cntraveler.com

It is a truth almost universally acknowledged that we fear what we do not know. Yet even as the world looks a little unpredictable these days, our intrepid and passionate readers—that’s you!—are criss-crossing the globe with open minds and hearts, seeking adventures and new experiences, hoping to get a little closer to their loved ones, and connect with newfound friends they meet on the road. Sure, when put that way, life and travel may not feel totally different from last year; experiencing new places is always a good idea. But it’s safe to say this kind of openness to the unfamiliar is now more important than ever.

So, how exactly did you travel in 2024?

Consider this your year in travel, wrapped. The results below, pulled from Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 survey, and submitted by our readers around the globe—spanning our editions in the United States, Spain, India, the Middle East, and the United Kingdom.

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Nothing, it seems, will stop you all from achieving your travel dreams: You’re traveling to learn about new-to-you cultures. The way to your heart is through experiencing exciting cuisines. Your definition of “luxury” is evolving (and it doesn’t just mean business class flights anymore), while “wellness” still means as much about going outside and touching grass as it does the quality of the spa. But above all, you’re traveling to be with loved ones—which is as good a reason as any to book a ticket somewhere. Bask in good company, have a tasty meal, and take care of yourselves. That’s what travel—and life on our one green Earth—is all about.

For more of the highlights and takeaways of how you traveled this year, read on. May they invite you to reflect on some of your favorite experiences—and get excited for what’s to come next.

As much as solo travel has been on the rise, there’s really nothing that beats getting the entire friend group to finally book that trip to Bali. When you shared the primary motivations influencing your decision to book a trip, more than half of you said you traveled to spend time with your loved ones: 38% said the top factor was to take a family vacation; 21% said it was to share experiences with friends.

We’ve long believed at Traveler that time is one of the ultimate luxuries, and a fair number of you agree. When asked about the aspects of luxury most important to you while traveling, 7% of you identified time—by treating yourselves to extended stays (two-week trips!) or more time off from work (use your vacation days!)—as an important consideration. You’re granting yourself more time to immerse yourself and get lost somewhere exciting, relaxing, or both. Now more than ever,