Unconventional Travel Trends of 2024: From “Rawdogging” Flights to Sleep Tourism
This year, travelers ventured beyond traditional tourism, embracing unique and sometimes bizarre trends that redefined the way we explore the world. Here’s a look at some of the quirkiest travel movements of 2024 and what made them so intriguing.
Disconnecting at 30,000 Feet: The Rise of “Rawdogging”
In an era where screens dominate our lives, a new trend called “rawdogging” encouraged travelers to ditch all forms of in-flight entertainment. Participants chose to forgo headphones, movies, music, and even in-flight amenities like blankets and snacks. The only exception? Watching the in-flight map.
This minimalist approach aimed to help travelers experience flights in their purest form, fostering moments of introspection and a break from digital dependency. While unconventional, it offered a surprising sense of mindfulness for those willing to try it.
Dark Tourism: Seeking Stories in Tragedy
Dark tourism continued to gain momentum in 2024, drawing travelers to destinations marked by tragedy, death, and disaster. Popularized by shows like Chernobyl and The Dark Tourist, this trend focused on visiting sites such as concentration camps, battlegrounds, and natural disaster zones like Wayanad in India.
These sobering locations provided a deeper understanding of history and humanity’s darker moments, sparking both fascination and ethical debates about the growing interest in such destinations.
Sleep Divorce: Better Rest for Couples on Vacation
Couples looking for better rest while traveling embraced the idea of “sleep divorce,” opting for separate beds—or even separate rooms—during vacations. According to Hilton’s 2025 Trends study, 63% of travelers reported sleeping better solo, with 37% considering separate sleeping arrangements on trips.
Parents, in particular, found this trend appealing, with 75% willing to escape noisy kids for a peaceful night’s rest. This unconventional approach prioritized relaxation, ensuring couples returned home more refreshed than ever.
Sleep Tourism: Rest as the Ultimate Luxury
In 2024, sleep tourism emerged as a leading trend, where travelers sought vacations centered entirely around rest and rejuvenation. Hotels worldwide catered to this demand with noise-proof rooms, lavender-scented pillows, and personalized services like “sleep concierges.”
Luxury properties like Six Senses, Ananda in the Himalayas, and SwaSwara in Gokarna elevated the trend with wellness programs, Ayurvedic therapies, and yoga sessions designed to optimize sleep and improve overall well-being. Forget sightseeing—these trips were all about prioritizing rest.
A Year of Bold and Unconventional Travel Choices
The travel trends of 2024 showcased a shift toward experiences that were as unique as they were meaningful. From minimalist flying to exploring humanity’s darker history, and from prioritizing restful sleep to redefining couple’s travel, these movements reflected a deeper desire for connection, self-care, and one-of-a-kind adventures.
Travel in 2024 was anything but ordinary, proving that stepping outside the box often leads to the most memorable journeys.
