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Beyond having Visited Every Country in the world, I have spent the last 10 years working in and with the travel industry. This may be a little gutsy, but I feel pretty confident in spotting travel trends!
As 2024 kicks off, our world seems to be in a bit of a crazy place. Western travellers have been reluctant to return to China, while fragile peace deals in Yemen have not resulted in the opening of borders. It will sadly be some time before travelers are back at the forgotten Nubian pyramids of Sudan or enjoying the new Tel Aviv metro.
But in other corners of our planet there are indications of new travel frontiers opening, while epoch-defining celebrations transform major world cities into the experience of a lifetime (the Paris Olympics are coming up).
In my opinion, these are the best places to travel in 2024.
5. North Korea
Only one country remains closed for COVID-19 and that’s the Hermit Kingdom. The big question on everyone’s mind is Will The Last Country Closed for COVID Reopen in 2024?
Recent months have seen a number of new exciting signs that North Korea is preparing to reopen to travellers. The first flights from Pyongyang to Beijing, Russian tourists making the journey, Kim Jong Un being seen without a mask and tour companies sending semi-regular blast outs that the time is soon approaching.
As with everything North Korea, the honest truth is: I have no idea. And even if North Korea does open, nobody has any idea what a post-COVID North Korea looks like. From tours to the Kims and everything you need to know about traveling to North Korea, we have you covered.
I know my fingers are crossed that 2024 is the year we can finally return to North Korea. Sorry, I mean Korea.
4. Morocco
In September 2023, Morocco was struck by a horrific earthquake which heavily damaged parts of Marrakech and the beautiful small towns of the Atlas Mountains. As we think about the ethics of travel in 2024, we think Morocco is one of the best places to travel in 2024.
For many travellers, Morocco holds a special place. The first country you visited outside of Europe or your first experience of North African culture. The sweet teas and winding casbahs, the silky couscous or camel rides in the Sahara. For many of us in the travel community, it hurt deeply to see Morocco enter disaster recovery mode.
Whether you take a longer trip or pop down from London for the weekend, in 2024 it’s time to return the love to Morocco.
For British and European travelers, I have good news. Ryanair has just announced they are investing in a huge $1.4 billion Morocco expansion throughout 2024. This means you can expect rock bottom airfare prices from major British and European cities to Morocco this year!
I would encourage everyone to go to Morocco with the intention of giving back to this wonderful tourism industry: book in that luxurious hamam experience, buy that Moroccan hand-blown glass tea set you’ve been mulling over since your first walk around Marrakech medina.
For first-timers, don’t miss our ultimate guide to planning the ideal 3 days in Marrakech itinerary.
3. Argentina
It’s no secret that Argentina’s economy has been in free fall. In recent months, the Argentinian peso has dropped to new historic lows.
From Egypt to Lebanon to Argentina, financial crises hurt both local populations and often already-fragile tourism industries. Hotels, restaurants and tour operators struggle to maintain quotes and prices, as inflation becomes the guiding force in everyday life.
For travelers, this means certain destinations are often very ‘cheap’. I don’t take joy in writing this because, ultimately, we all want our world to prosper – for both the safety and dignity of ordinary citizens.
The recent Argentinian elections sent shockwaves across South America. I’ll let you do your own research on Argentina’s new quirky President, but my gut says any new administration will immediately get to work on restoring inflation and the economy.
What does that mean for travellers? Some have whispered about Argentina moving to the U.S. Dollar – although I think that’s unlikely. Others suggest huge cuts on public spending or the privatization of the national airline, Aerolineas Argentinas.
From the overwhelming beauty of Iguazu Falls to the raw landscapes of Patagonia and Salta, Argentina is a country of endless superlatives. To top it all off, Buenos Aires, the home of tango, offers some of Latin America‘s greatest cultural and culinary experiences – and not to mention, excellent coffee, chocolate, gelato and alfajores!
I think it’s safe to say that 2024 will see some huge changes for Argentina. Whether you’re keen to visit while it’s still ‘cheap’ or want to avoid some potential future instability – my gut says, get to Argentina this year. And luckily for you, we’ve prepared the ultimate 2 week Argentina itinerary for this year.
2. France
Clichés aside, 2024 is the year to visit France.
The 2024 Olympics are being held in Paris between July 26 and August 11 this year.
2024 marks 100 years since Paris last hosted the Olympics. There’s nothing I love more than electric energy, and we all know major sporting events can often take over a city or country.
If you’re lucky enough to get Olympics tickets, you’re in for a treat. If not, I would recommend visiting soon after the Olympics. The new infrastructure will still be in place, prices will likely have dropped a little and there should still be Olympic fever in the air.
And at one point, the government will need to reassemble the famous bouquinistes which line the Seine and give Paris its special charm.
Paris may always be a good idea, but with the Olympics, France is easily one of the best places to travel in 2024.
1. And the Best Place to Travel in 2024 is…
I have said it before and I’ll say it again: get to Saudi Arabia as soon as you can.
Saudi Arabia is probably more than one of the best places to travel in 2024. In my opinion, Saudi Arabia is the best place to travel for the entire 2020s. The Saudi government is currently investing enormous sums into developing their tourism industry. The goal? 100 million tourists by 2030!
The good news for you is that those 100 million tourists haven’t arrived yet. But the infrastructure to welcome them is slowly being rolled out. New easy visa procedures, subsidised flight routes and glitzy Red Sea resorts. 2024 will see even more openings in Saudi Arabia: a new Red Sea Airport and, hopefully, the Jeddah metro line!
I know people always have a million questions about visiting Saudi Arabia – from safety to headscarves, don’t miss my guide on everything you need to know before visiting Saudi Arabia in 2024.
Saudi Arabia is changing at a rapid pace. A few years ago, music with lyrics was illegal in the Kingdom and today everyone from Mariah Carey to Enrique Iglesias is performing in Riyadh. From magnificent sand-hewn Nabatean ruins to the unique architecture of Jeddah’s Al-Balad district, Saudi Arabia has some of the most underrated and beautiful sites on our planet.
In 2024, get to Saudi Arabia before the crowds do.
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