In January, the Globus family of brands – consisting of Globus, Cosmos and Avalon Waterways – received new “Wish List” survey results from 31,600 past Globus and Cosmos travelers, revealing the latest touring trends for the new year and beyond.

Life is short, the world is wide 

But Europe reigns supreme for tour travelers. From Paris to Prague, Athens to Zagreb and Glasgow to Genoa, the storybook landscapes, castle-dotted cliffs and vineyard-clad hills of Europe continue to drive touring interest. According to the Globus family of brands’ “Wish List” survey results, the destinations topping traveler bucket lists for 2024 are:

1. Italy (21%)
2. Greece & Turkey (18%)
3. England, Ireland & Scotland (Tied at 15% each, respectively)
4. Portugal (11%)

Catering to travelers interested in milder temperatures, thinner crowds and thicker wallets – thanks to the best deals – Globus also offers off-season Escapes by Globus in Greece and Turkey for as little as $1,219.

Finally, with its sunny disposition, sloping vineyards and sleepy villages, Portugal presents a treasure trove of experiences. And Globus’ new survey results show that wayfarers are taking notice with Portugal, rounding out the top six most popular European destinations for tour travelers.

Off the beaten cobblestones

While culture, history and must-see landmarks are the top motivators for travelers on a tour, the new “Wish List” Survey pointed to an important new trend: Forty-five percent (45%) of travelers are interested in getting off-the-beaten-path on their touring vacation.

Beyond the traditional tour

Another myth-buster found in this survey, according to Born, is that tour travelers are passive – interested only in following a perfectly planned itinerary.

That’s where Choice Touring by Globus comes into play. From Scotland and Spain to the Southern United States, Choice Touring by Globus’ 12 tours – including NEW, refreshed itineraries for 2024 – provide all the
wonder of the world with wonderful ways to experience it. 

The ideal travel squad

The final standout statistic Globus found with its latest survey is a growing interest in solo travel. More than one-fourth of travelers (27%) said they plan to go solo on their next trip – that’s double previous years.