Khaizuran RashidHappy New Year! While I know we’re all busy embracing 2025, it’s impossible to ignore the key moments that have shaped the travel scene in 2024. The year’s stories showcase the highs and lows in travel, from concerts to overtourism and climate change struggles. Let’s dive into the five biggest travel moments of 2024!
Also read: Where to Roam?: Top Destinations for Singaporeans in 2025 and Beyond
1. Taylor Swift Brings Her Eras Tour to Singapore
Image credit: Ronald Woan | Flickr
Taylor Swift’s much-anticipated stop in Singapore for her Eras Tour from 2–9 Mar 2024 was a game-changer for the city-state. As the only Southeast Asian destination on the tour, Swift’s six sold-out performances didn’t just light up the stage – They lit up the entire Singaporean economy. The numbers were astonishing: Tourism-related bookings soared by 275%, inbound flights jumped by 186%, and hotel bookings skyrocketed by an eye-watering 462%! Visitors flew in from all over the region – from Thailand to the Philippines – to catch the world’s biggest artist in action. Economists estimated the event boosted Singapore’s first-quarter GDP by a cool S$300 million to S$400 million.
Image credits (L-R): Khaizuran Rashid
But the impact wasn’t just financial. For many fans, attending Swift’s concert was the experience of a lifetime. This writer was lucky enough to be there myself, and I can tell you, the atmosphere was electric! The resale prices for tickets hit astronomical levels. Local businesses saw unprecedented sales, with everything from restaurants to retail stores benefiting from the influx of tourists. It was the perfect boost for Singapore’s tourism industry and set a new benchmark for major events in the region. Talk about a win-win!
Also read: 13 Destinations to Visit if You’re a Taylor Swift Fan
2. The 2024 Paris Olympics: A Summer Spectacle
Image credit: Ibex73 via Wikimedia Commons
Pop songstress Charli XCX may have christened summer 2024 as ‘Brat Summer,’ but the season had another defining moment that made an even bigger splash. The Summer Olympics returned to Paris in style, and this time, it wasn’t just the athletes in the spotlight. From 26 Jul to 11 Aug, the games not only brought international attention to the athletes but also turned global tourism into a major event of its own. The first week alone saw a 31% increase in international travel to the host cities. Paris welcomed the bulk of the crowd, but Lille and Bordeaux also enjoyed a healthy tourism boost. Visitors flocked from across the globe, spanning countries like the United States and Brazil, all eager to witness the athletes in action.
Image credit: Felix Wong
Meanwhile, before the Olympics, outbound French travel increased 13% as locals avoided the event’s global hubbub. The games didn’t just give a lift to tourism but also to air travel – International routes increased by 7%. However, France’s bold decision to ban short-haul domestic flights led to a 4% reduction in such routes, promoting more eco-friendly travel alternatives.
The Paris Olympics didn’t just show the world the best of sports. It revealed how major global events can (literally) bring people together from all corners of the world, fostering connections and shared experiences. Plus, the memes were iconic!
Also read: 15 Exciting Things to Do in Paris for First-Timers
3. Major Aviation Incidents Close Out 2024 in a Week of Turbulence
Image credit: Mehmet Mustafa Celik via Wikimedia Commons
As we neared the end of the year, the aviation world was rocked by a series of devastating incidents. Seven major crashes across several countries, from Kazakhstan to South Korea, shook travellers and aviation experts alike.
Image credit: FMT via AFP
On Christmas Day, the tragic crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 in Aktau, Kazakhstan, after a failed emergency landing, claimed 38 lives. Just days later on 29 Dec, South Korea experienced its deadliest aviation disaster in decades, when Jeju Air Flight 2216 crashed into a concrete wall at Muan International Airport, taking the lives of 179 passengers. There were also harrowing near-incidents like a fiery emergency landing by an Air Canada Express aircraft in Halifax and a hydraulic failure on a KLM flight in Norway, both occurring on 28 Dec.
These events have reignited global discussions about aviation safety. Experts and regulators are calling for stricter protocols and heightened safety measures to prevent future disasters.
4. Overtourism Woes Around the World
Image credit: Florian Fillonneau via Getty Images
Overtourism in 2024 caused popular destinations to struggle with overwhelming visitor numbers. However, many destinations introduced measures to balance tourism with protecting cultural and natural treasures.
In Rome, the iconic Trevi Fountain now requires visitors to make a reservation and pay a small symbolic fee to access the area, while Venice took a firm stand with stricter controls on group tours and short-term rentals. Greece made headlines by introducing a US$20 (S$27) fee for cruise passengers visiting Santorini and Mykonos. Meanwhile, Japan introduced climbing fees and daily caps for hikers attempting to scale Mount Fuji to protect its delicate ecosystem.
Image credit: Shalom Rufeisen via Canva Pro
Kyoto also jumped on the overtourism bandwagon, restricting access to parts of its historic Gion district. Barcelona also continued to push forward with plans to phase out short-term holiday rentals by 2029.
Also read: Japan’s Overtourism: Is It a Double-Edged Sword?
5. 2024 Set to Be the Warmest Year on Record
Image credit: Toa55 via Getty Images
2024 is set to be the warmest year on record. It’s evident that climate change continues to take a significant toll on global weather patterns. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, didn’t mince words when he declared, “This is climate breakdown, in real time.” Extreme heatwaves, intense rainfall, and devastating storms have become all too familiar, with climate change now a key driver of these global weather events.
Image credit: Markus Mainka via Canva Pro
Japan, for instance, faced its warmest autumn on record. The usual snowcap on Mount Fuji was delayed, and the autumn foliage, which usually dazzles with vibrant colours, arrived much later than expected. Meanwhile, in China, regions saw autumn temperatures exceeding previous records by up to 4°C, making it the hottest autumn on record for the country.
The climate crisis underscores the urgent need for sustainable travel and global action against its impacts.
Also read: Hot Weather Travel: 10 Tips to Stay Comfortable in the Sizzling Heat
Wrapping Up 2024: What’s Next for 2025?
Image credit: Danilo Andjus via Getty Images Signature
What a year it’s been! From Swiftie-filled concerts to Olympic excitement, the past 12 months have shown us just how powerful and transformative travel can be. However, it’s also been a year full of sobering reminders of the challenges that come with our love for exploration. As we enter 2025, there’s no doubt that the travel world will continue to evolve. 2024’s travel moments remind us of travel’s power to unite while emphasising the importance of sustainability and responsibility.
Also read: Singapore Public Holidays: A Guide to Long Weekends in 2025
Here’s to 2025: a year of adventure, mindfulness, and preserving the world for future generations. The future of travel is in our hands, and we can make it one to remember!
