2024 Travel: My Top 5 Destinations

12/30/23

American travelers proved they are hungry for travel in 2023, setting multiple records. At the same time, airlines did a better job -- cancelation rates down about 50% year over year. So, with all signs pointing to more robust travel volume in 2024, here are my top 5 destinations to consider in the new year!

The Wailea sunset, Dec '23

Maui

I visited this beautiful Hawaiian island earlier this month -- my first visit since the Lahaina firestorm. (Read my Maui travel update here.) And while that historic town will remain off limits for awhile, as the healing continues, the rest of Maui is wide open and needy of travel dollars. Keep in mind: most Maui jobs are linked to tourism, so respectful, mindful visitation will go a long way to help Maui rebound. Hotel rates have not necessarily dropped, as they continue to house displaced residents and groups like FEMA, the Navy and the Red Cross. But airfare and rental car rates will remain competitive. And, thanks to a ton of reinvestment in resort communities like Wailea, there's plenty that's new to experience. Visit the Maui Visitors Bureau for updates and trip ideas.

Las Vegas

I'm hearing that 2024 is being touted as the official post-pandemic bounce-back year for Las Vegas -- and there's plenty that's new. For one, that famous skyline has a whole new look, thanks to the opening of eye-popping landmark attractions like The Sphere and the brand-new Fontainebleau Las Vegas hotel. The new year will also help establish Las Vegas as a legit sports town! The Super Bowl in February will only be the beginning, as the town formerly defined by gaming and shows will draw football and hockey fans in earnest. Check out Visit Las Vegas for events calendars and inspiration.

• Watch my "Top 5 Destinations for 2024" segment on KTVU Fox 2!

Talking wellness in Indian Wells, Nov '23

Greater Palm Springs

Want wellness? In 2024, the nine communities that make up Greater Palm Springs will be top of mind for travelers looking to recharge, reconnect and relax. The spa scene in places like Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and Indian Wells has been totally reinvented, with spa menus reflecting new, upgraded self-care options. The outdoor adventure scene is booming, with more than 100 trails throughout the area. And the regional airport in Palm Springs, with new direct flights from throughout the U.S., is making it that much easier the get there. Visit the Greater Palm Springs website for all the info.

Ireland

Ashford Castle, on the Wild Atlantic Way, July '23

The Emerald Isle is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the designation of The Wild Atlantic Way in 2024. One of the longest driving routes in the world, at 1500 miles, the west coast of Ireland is a road tripper's dream, offering spectacular vistas and amazing destinations like Ashford Castle and the Cliffs of Moher, and famous spots like Limerick, Galway and Donegal. Hospitality reigns supreme here, and with airlines like United and Aer Lingus ramping up flight offerings to the west's Shannon Airport from cities like Boston, New York and Chicago, getting to the Wild Atlantic Way will be easier and more affordable in 2024, especially off-season. Get updates and inspiration from Tourism Ireland.

Finding wellness in Los Cabos

Mexico

Some of our favorite south-of-the-border destinations are aiming to attract U.S. travelers in 2024 with two key hooks: wellness and luxury. Destinations like Los Cabos are focusing on natural attributes -- crystal clue water, sweeping desert landscapes -- to appeal to people seeking wide open spaces and ways to rejuvenate and relax; a slew of new luxury resorts are also enhancing the appeal of Los Cabos. In Nayarit, luxe brands like St. Regis and Rosewood are opening their doors in 2024, and the traveler focus will be on gastronomy and nature. And in Valle del Guadalupe, robust investments are creating a unique adventure and foodie destination. Look for continued airfare competition to Mexico in 2024.

Here's to new adventures in 2024 -- follow along with me at #gabethetravelguy!

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Four Months After the Lahaina Fire, Maui is Calling All Travelers

It's been just over four months since the August firestorm that destroyed the historic town of Lahaina, on Maui's northeastern shores. The Lahaina area, and the entire island, are healing. But as re-openings continue, and as other parts of the island still feel the pinch of the inevitable travel slowdown that followed, the call is out for visitors to come back.

Visiting just-reopened Leoda's

Lahaina accounted for 15% of Maui's travel-related economic activity. Tourism is also responsible for 40% of Maui's economy and jobs, though when you consider the ancillary industries that dovetail from the hospitality industry -- ranchers, farmers, fishermen, artists, cab drivers -- that figure is likely double that. The year-over-year inbound numbers show the fire's devastating impact: down 11% from the U.S. west coast, down 55% from Japan, down 24% from Canada.

While the downtown Lahaina core remains off-limits, except for local residents and businesses with limited day passes, the surrounding area, and the totality of Maui, is open for business. Artists and shopkeepers who lost their Lahaina storefronts are hosting street fairs, and the popular Leoda's Bakery and Pie Shop, a short drive south of downtown Lahaina, reopened just last week. 

In Wailea, the luxe destination about 45 minutes south of Lahaina, resorts, restaurants and shops are hoping that brand new offerings and experiences will lure travelers in 2024. At the Fairmont Kea Lani, Hawaii's only all-suite resort, set on 22 oceanfront acres, all 413 rooms and 37 two-story oceanfront villas have been totally renovated. A new 2000-sq.ft. cultural center, which will be open to the public, will premiere on Dec. 21. And a new bar, Pilina, featuring 100% sustainably- and locally-sourced cocktails and 52 ocean-facing seats, will open in January.

Enjoying the Wailea views from the Fairmont Kea Lani

At the AAA 5-Diamond Four Seasons Resort Maui next door, the popular Ferraro's Restaurant, totally reimagined, just reopened. The neighboring Grand Wailea has just reopened all its eateries after renovations. And the Wailea Beach Resort has launched a brand-new category of rooms at their ground floor tower building, focusing on outdoor living and featuring outdoor soaking tubs and fireplaces.

The Wailea Golf Club, home to three ocean view, award-winning courses, just took delivery of a new fleet of energy efficient golf carts that lower electricity needs and reduce wear on the natural turf.

The west-facing positioning of Wailea makes it an idyllic sport for sunset-viewing and for enjoying whale-watching season, which runs from Dec. 15 through May 15.

Find out more at wailearesortassociation.com.

The call for tourists comes with a clear caveat: visit Maui mindfully and carefully and with respect for the local culture and population. The payback will be a relaxing, enriching travel experience in one of the most beautiful spots on the planet. Airfare deals, especially from the west coast, will offer plenty of incentive over the next several months.

For visitors who want to take their giving back further, there's a slew of volunteer opportunities, from food and donation sorting and distribution with services like the Maui Humane Society to coastal cleanup and shoreline restoration projects through various groups. Donations can also have a significant impact. Find out more at mauinuistrong.com.

Aloha, and see you on Maui!

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