Angus Kidman, travel expert from finder.com.au

Stop being so stingy with rewards seats
“I'm not expecting every seat in Business to be available, but on too many routes the economy seats still disappear a year in advance.”

Start communicating with passengers better
“Some delays are unavoidable, but putting a message in your app saying "Check with airport staff" while the staff are saying "Check the app" is not helping anybody.”

Chris Zeiher, Senior Marketing Director from Lonely Planet

Start embracing rest travel 
“Holidays are designed to switch off from the day-to-day to allow your mind and body a chance to reset.  And a critical part of that is experiencing quality sleep time. That's the premise of "rest travel" and I'm here for it. In 2024 I'll be using my holiday time to slow down and recharge, to experience how cultures in the places I visit wind down and, most importantly, getting some delicious shuteye.”

Stop flying when I don't have to!  

“It's virtually impossible to leave Australia without jumping on a plane but, once in destination there are alternatives to getting around that don't immediately require boarding another flight. Whether it's travelling via a train or ferry, hiring an EV, jumping on a bike, or car-pooling there's so much fun to be had on the journey.”  

Doug Skoog, Head of Marketing at Freely

Start seeking out unique cultural experiences wherever we go

“Whether we’re visiting popular destinations or getting off the beaten track, it’s always worth checking out what unique cultural experiences a place has to offer. Like grape picking for the rtveli harvest holiday in Kakheti, Georgia; watching a Ganga Aarti ceremony on the ghats of Varanasi, India or learning to dance tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina, can bring us closer to the place and the people we’re visiting, even if we have to step outside our comfortable zone a little.”

Stop riding motorcycles and mopeds without the right protection
“The road will be a safer place for everyone when tourists stop riding motorcycles and mopeds without a helmet, the proper equipment and the right travel insurance coverage. In countries where motorcycles and mopeds are popular and cheap to rent, it can be easy for some travellers to forget about the usual safety precautions they’d follow when driving at home.”

Vic Naughton, General Manager, Australia & New Zealand at Air Canada

Stop making it difficult for Australians to use points to fund their travel
More Australians are turning to points to help fund travel in 2024 – 48 per cent more compared to 2023, according to our recent research. We hope the travel industry can follow the lead of HSBC and Star Alliance by finding new ways to make accessing loyalty rewards simpler.

Start making loyalty benefits easier to understand

Our research also found that 23 per cent of Australians don’t understand the difference between points and status -- which means they're likely not making the most of them. Aussies are no stranger to long haul flights, which can be made more enjoyable with the addition of little luxuries like free wifi or complimentary seat selection, so as an industry we need to ensure that status and loyalty perks are better communicated to travellers, even before a seat is booked.

Brett Mitchell, General Manager ANZ of Intrepid Travel

Start getting more active on holiday

“As we enter the new year and set our resolutions, one that usually comes at the top of the list is to get fit. But this doesn't have to be a monotonous chore. Whether exploring scenic destinations like the Sacred Land of the Incas or taking on the iconic Everest Base Camp, these journeys promise a memorable and energy boosting experience.”

Stop following the crowd
“Many tourists prioritise visiting popular places solely to capture the perfect photo for social media. In 2024, travellers should ditch the stereotypes and look for more unique experiences, fully embracing the diversity of each destination and getting to know the local communities on a personal level.”