Forget everything you know about revenge travel. The trend of going on a trip to “turn the tables” on the pandemic is no longer what we do. In 2024, travel is more of a dream than ever, so much so that you could say it looks like a movie.
Spoiler alert: it's because this year, travelers intentionally want their trips to resemble their favorite movie or TV show. Skyscanner, the travel search engine and booking tool, has just released the results of its latest study, which surveyed 2,000 Americans on what is shaping up to be one of the biggest travel trends of the year .
The survey clearly shows that 2024 is a big year for set-jetting – or the practice of choose a travel destination inspired by your favorite movies and TV shows. According to the survey, 29% of American travelers use cinema and television as travel inspiration, and no less than 86% of Americans said they wanted to visit a foreign destination after seeing it on screen. What's even more surprising is how many people are actually putting their inspiration into action: 49% of U.S. travelers have actually booked a trip to these destinations, according to the survey.
“Americans want to travel more than ever,” Laura Lindsay, global travel and destination trends expert at Skyscanner, said in a statement. “Cultural exploration and destinations to get excited about are on our minds this year. After binge-watching movies and watching shows from their couches during the pandemic, Americans are flipping the script and bringing those dreams to the big screen in reality.”
However, some “Oscar-worthy” destinations are more in demand than others. After analyzing the responses received in its survey, Skyscanner compiled a list of the top destinations that U.S. travelers were actually inspired to visit after seeing a particular movie or TV show. Check out them below, along with their vote percentage and the show or movie that inspired them. May they also inspire your next trip!
1. Castleton, Derbyshire, United Kingdom: 32% of votes, inspired by House of Dragons
2. Bowen Island, British Columbia—32% of votes, inspired by Virgin River
3. London: 31% of votes, inspired by The crown
4. New York – 30% of votes, inspired by Only murders in the building
5. Fiji: 29% of votes, inspired by Love Island, United States
6. Chicago—29% of votes, inspired by The bear
7. Sardinia, Italy—29% of votes, inspired by The little Mermaid
8. Mallorca, Spain: 28% of votes, inspired by Love Island United Kingdom
9. Barbados—28% of votes, inspired by Outer Banks
10. Playa del Carmen, Mexico—28% of votes, inspired by Love is blind
11. Copenhagen, Denmark—28% of votes, inspired by The bear
12. Rome, Italy—28% of votes, inspired by Fast
