Photo: Kyoto, Japan
 

We’re just days away from a brand new year, which means plenty new opportunities to see the world and experience destinations for the first time. But which destinations should be at the top of the list?

The options are endless for the 4.7 billion people who are expected to travel in 2024, reports IATA, an historic high that exceeds the 4.5 billion recorded pre-pandemic, in 2019. But according to tour operators, there are certain standout destinations that are expected to be hot-ticket items next year. Here’s what they recommend for a sun-soaked and adventure-filled year:

Japan

It’s been a little more than a year since Japan reopened its borders to international travellers, and since then the country has rebounded in a big way. It welcomed more than two million international visitors for a fourth consecutive month in September 2023, with visitor numbers improving to 96.1% of levels seen in 2019, before the outbreak of COVID-19.

“Visitors rushed back to Japan in droves in 2023, with a particularly rapid surge in travel from North America – and that momentum continues,” says Hiroshi Kawaguchi, General Manager at Oku Japan, a Kyoto-based adventure travel operator that runs self-guided and small-group guided walking tours in Japan. “There is high demand for accommodations, including along the Kumano Kodo and Nakasendo Trail. With visitor numbers being capped on accommodations in these regions as a way to preserve the natural environment and local culture, we are encouraging people to book as early as possible.”

Oku Japan has the 11-day Japan Hiking Highlights: The Kumano Kodo and the Nakasendo Trail, priced at $8,515 per person, based on two travellers sharing a room. Departing from March to November, it includes visits to Zen temples and bamboo groves in Kyoto, a special lunch with a geisha or maiko (apprentice geisha), lunch with an artisanal miso producer, a flat-bottomed boat ride along the Kumano River to Hayatama Taisha, and visits to all three Grand Shrines of pilgrimage on the Kumano Kodo, plus three days of hiking on this UNESCO World Heritage route.

Also seeing increased interest in Japan is Okushu Tours, which Managing Director Lisa Lau says is largely due to direct and indirect flights from Canada.

“It’s becoming more and more easy to book, and many international cruise companies are also now offering round-the-island cruise journeys or journeys that start and/or finish in Japan,” says Lau. “Travel agents should seize this as an opportunity to sell a high-value tour package by offering them pre- and post-cruise extensions, shore excursions as well as some unique experiences.”

To avoid the crowds, Lau recommends visiting lesser-known cities in Japan, like Shikoku, Chubu, Chugoku and Hokkaido, which offer many of the same experiences and culture as major hotspots. Okushu offers a variety of shorter trips such as a three-day pilgrimage wellness tour in Shikoku, and a three-day Ninja training tour with an overnight at a beer onsen resort in Mie.

Finally, Japan is Goway’s top destination of choice for 2024 due to the country’s “timeless tradition, cutting-edge innovation and mluti-gen appeal,” says Renee Stanton, Director of Sales. Stanton recommends Goway’s eight-day Classic Japan guided vacation, which is priced from $3,649 and begins in Kyoto before continuing on to Hiroshima, Tokyo and Mt. Fuji.

Peru

Rainbow Mountain, Vinicunca, Peru

Following political unrest in early 2023, which led to the temporary closure of Machu Picchu, Peru is now poised for a breakout year in tourism, says Tom Smith, VP of Sales and Marketing for North America at Intrepid Travel.

“Peru is finally seeing a strong comeback and is set to be a popular pick in 2024, with huge interest from Canadians looking to experience Machu Picchu for themselves,” says Smith. “While travel reopened to most in 2023, Peru’s unfortunate shutdown in January caused year-long cancellations. Now, Peru is finally having its moment.”

This year, Intrepid worked with local communities in the Sacred Valley to open a new section of the Quarry Trail, giving travellers a previously unseen experience as they journey to Machu Picchu. The company’s 12-day ‘Peru Expedition: Trek the Great Inca Road,’ priced from $4,445, journeys along little-visited trade routes connected to the Inca empire in the Andes. Beginning and ending in Lima, guests will join a local leader and traditional llama caravan to hike storied paths that few travellers have ever seen, visiting archaeological sites along the way.

Transat is also anticipating a big year for Peru, based on the trajectory of demand since it announced its program expansion earlier this year. Air Transat will start operating year-round, nonstop flights to Lima from both Toronto and Montreal in late December 2023, becoming the only carrier to operate nonstop service between Peru and Canada. This, coupled with an attractive selection of products in destination, gives Canadians even more reason to visit Peru in 2024.

“We have painstakingly crafted an array of meticulously curated packages and à la carte hotels in Lima, of course, but also Aguas Calientes, Cusco, Urubamba and Puno. In addition, we will soon offer a variety of excursions throughout different regions of Peru to cater to a variety of interests, from hiking in the Andes to delving into the country’s rich history and culture,” says Marie-Eve Vallières, Advisor, Public Relations and Content Marketing Strategy at Transat.

Portugal

Porto, Portugal

“The numbers don’t lie,” says David Green, managing director at G Adventures. “Portugal has seen standout growth, with traveller numbers tripling since 2019 and up 33% compared to 2022.”

Green notes that new direct flights to Porto from New York, Boston and Toronto with Azores Airlines will give the destination a bigger bump in visitation next summer, which is why he suggests going before it gets even more popular.

G Adventures’ seven-day Highlights of Portugal itinerary, priced from $1,749 per person, journeys from Lisbon to Porto and includes an array of authentic local experiences, including a traditional meal with a Fado performance in one of Lisbon’s oldest neighbourhoods, and visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Monastery of Batalha, Coimbra University and the beautiful town of Sintra.

Uzbekistan

Green is also expecting big numbers for Uzbekistan in 2024, and the ‘Stans’ in general, which he says have been hugely popular among travellers looking to check off big bucket-list destinations. Uzbekistan in particular has seen a 53% increase in bookings year over year, surpassing 2019 numbers by 16%. Among the many reasons to book the destination are the Center for Islamic Civilization in Tashkent, opening in April 2024, and the Center for Contemporary Arts, which opened in 2019, both of which are “two new cultural hubs set to attract the attention of travellers,” says Green.

G Adventures’ 10-day Highlights of Uzbekistan, priced from $2,179 per person, begins and ends in Tashkent and includes a visit to the Chashma Complex, a pilgrimage site in the territory of Nurata featuring ruins of Alexander the Great’s fortress, swimming in the remote Aydarkul Lake, and an overnight stay in a local yurt camp complete with an authentic Uzbekistan dinner and Kasakh singing show.

Thailand

Porto, Portugal

With an “increased interest in Southeast Asia in 2023,” Collette is expecting this momentum to grow in 2024, says Public Relations Specialist Sam LaFrance. The company’s 16-day ‘Essence of Thailand’ tour has no shortage of experiences that allow travellers to delve into the local culture, from visits to an endangered elephant sanctuary and the Marble Temple, to tuk tuk rides and spending time with local monks. Travellers can book their spot on this tour, with a departure date as early as Jan. 25, 2024, at prices starting at $4,449 per person. Dates are available throughout 2024 and 2025.

Italy

Though certainly not an emerging destination, Italy will continue to be at the top of Canadians’ travel lists in 2024, says Globus family of brands. Based on recent sales figures, plus the 10,000 travellers that responded to the company’s ‘Wish List’ survey, Italy ranked first (22%) over all other destinations among Globus clients next year.

“It’s no surprise that Italy enjoys top honours here – Italy awes,” says Steve Born, Chief Marketing Officer, Globus family of brands. “From Michelangelo’s art to the artful cuisine throughout the country, Italy invites them to enjoy ‘la dolce vita’ in every way. And Globus is an Italy specialist with an unmatched range of regions, touring styles and seasons.”

New for 2024 is Globus’ seven-day That’s Amore!: Italy by Design, priced from $2,669 with highlights like truffle hunting, bicycling in Florence, exploring the storied streets of Trastevere in Rome, and complimentary YourChoice Excursions.

Iceland

Ask On the Go Tours’ Stephanie Roles, Industry Sales Manager, North America, and she’ll tell you Iceland will be a breakout destination in 2024, with new volcanic activity driving interest and inquiries. She recommends the company’s five-day ‘Land of the Northern Lights’ tour, which guests can extend by one night with a pre- or post-stay to keep the trip to under a week. And while Iceland’s famed  Blue Lagoon is currently closed due to an increase in seismic activity, Roles notes that the itinerary includes an alternative thermal bath that’s just as spectacular. ‘Land of the Northern Lights’ is priced from $1,600 to $2,500, depending on the time of year, with a current discount of 30%.

Greece

Greece ranks among Air Canada Vacations’ top destinations for 2024. Travellers can choose from several best-selling tours, including: the eight-night ‘Best of Greece,’ which visits Athens, Mykonos and Santorini and priced from $3,099; the 11-night ‘Island Delights,’ with stops in Athens, Mykonos, Heraklion/Crete and Santorini; and the 10-night ‘Island Discovery,’ featuring Athens, Mykonos, Paros and Santorini. All packages include flight, hotel, must-sees and more. Go to vacations.aircanada.com for more information.

Cuba

A tried and true favourite among Canadian travellers, Cuba will be even more popular in 2024, says Sunwing Vacations Group’s Melanie Anne Filipp, Senior Director, Corporate Communications & Media Relations. This will largely be due to the fact that Sunwing has added two new destinations for the 2023-2024 winter season: Cienfuegos along Cuba’s southern coast, and Manzanillo de Cuba on the island’s northeastern coast.

“Plus, last year’s reintroduction of Cayo Largo’s boutique destination to Sunwing’s vast portfolio will continue to be popular among Canadians looking for a quiet spot to disconnect from the everyday and reconnect with themselves in nature,” says Filipp. “Cayo Largo boasts a low-key lifestyle with some of the best diving sites in the Caribbean, pristine snorkelling conditions and protected marine reserves. Flights and vacation packages are available from Toronto and Montreal this season exclusively through Sunwing.”

Filipp also notes that Sunwing offers multi-destination vacation packages that allow travellers to experience the best of both worlds in Cuba – beach life in Varadero and city life in Havana – in one easy package.