Q.

Wait a minute. Nobody knows us here. Our social media accounts are private; search engines don’t give us the time of day.  Let’s assume new identities – we’re minor aristocracy, we’re high-flying art detectives in search of that masterpiece, we’re world-changing philanthropists.

Do people embellish or flat out lie about who they are whilst travelling?

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A.

Yes, according to a 2024 Travel Trends study from booking.com. In surveying 27,730 respondents from 33 countries and territories, these researchers find that:

• 62% revel in the anonymity of travel, and the opportunity to reinvent themselves
• 37% admit to fabricating stories about their lives back home.

Hoodwinking aside, what else do respondents say about their hopes and plans for travelling in 2024?

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Planning
• 48% are open to letting AI plan their vacations. “I prepared a flight plan. This was the location.”
• 69% like to keep vacation plans loose so they can change details on the fly.

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Narrowing Things Down
• Destination unknown. 52% of respondents say they’re open to taking a magical mystery trip.
• 50% are keen to find destinations with cheaper prices than they experience at home.
• 43% are looking to save money by vacationing closer to home.

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Atmosphere
• Bring on the water. 75% say that vacationing near water is particularly relaxing.
• 60% are looking for evidence of sustainable living in their destination spots.
• 65% appreciate indoor plants and green spaces.

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+ Action
• When am I my best self? On vacation, say 68%.
• 78% report that they feel invigorated when they are on vacation.
• And, finally, 68% admit that they would like to adopt more aspects of their vacation personalities when they return home. Ideally, in a castle.

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www.justcurious.ca

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Header Art: Caravaggio. The Musicians. 1597