A report from eDreams Odigeo has revealed the most-booked cities around the world for 2024, plus top growth destinations and insights for 2025.
Paris has emerged as the most-booked destination globally in 2024, according to new data released by eDreams Odigeo.
The Year in Travel report, analysing customer data across European markets and the US, reveals Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca secured second and third positions respectively for bookings. London maintained a strong presence, ranking fifth among globally booked destinations.
The data shows Germans led the charge for UK-bound travel, accounting for 20% of bookings, followed by Spanish (17%), French (15%) and Italian (9%) visitors.
Within the UK, London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham proved most attractive to international travellers.
British holidaymakers showed different preferences, favouring Amsterdam, Paris and Barcelona as their top three destinations.
The report indicates a strong German connection for UK travellers in 2024, with significant growth in visits to Munich (+53%), Cologne (+47%) and Stuttgart (+30%), likely influenced by Germany hosting the UEFA European Football Championship.
Several emerging destinations saw remarkable growth in 2024, with Kuala Lumpur experiencing a 49% increase in bookings, followed by Egypt’s Hurghada (+38%) and Santiago de Chile (+36%).
For British travellers, three destinations – Bilbao, Stuttgart and Jersey – entered the top 50 for the first time.
The report highlights changing travel habits, with quick getaways dominating booking patterns. Globally, 32% of travellers opted for 3-4 day trips, while 24% chose longer 7-13 day stays. Last-minute bookings remained popular, with 37% of UK travellers booking just two weeks before departure.
Looking ahead to 2025, Bangkok leads both global searches and bookings, followed by Tokyo, Paris and London in search rankings.
British travellers are showing interest in long-haul destinations, with Bangkok, Tokyo and New York City topping their search lists for 2025, though current bookings favour closer destinations like Amsterdam, Barcelona and Malaga.
Dana Dunne, CEO of eDreams Odigeo, says: “Looking ahead to 2025, with a continued focus on new experiences and discovery, global travel interest is already taking shape with a spotlight on significant cultural, sporting and musical events around the world.
“While Bangkok, London and Paris claim the top spots for 2025 bookings so far, we’re seeing customers search for a mix of locations across America, Europe, Asia and Australia. As we step into a new year of global travel, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation to deliver fresh, dynamic experiences that meet the evolving needs of today’s travellers.”
Sports tourism emerged as a significant trend, contributing to 10% of global tourism. Paris saw a 62% increase in bookings compared to 2023, while Germany experienced a 60% rise due to the Euros.
The report also revealed the impact of cultural events on 2025 travel plans. Searches for Osaka during The World Expo have increased by 85%, while Rome has seen a 16% rise in searches ahead of the Catholic Church’s Holy Year.
Music events continue to drive travel interest, with the announcement of Oasis’ reunion triggering substantial search increases for 2025 tour destinations: Manchester (+700%), Dublin (+635%), Edinburgh (+557%) and London (+212%).
Top 10 most-booked cities 2024
- Paris
- Barcelona
- Palma de Mallorca
- Madrid
- London
- Rome
- Lisbon
- Amsterdam
- Istanbul
- Malaga
by Olivia Palamountain | GLOBETRENDER