24 reasons to travel in 2024

Looking forward to a new year of adventures but lacking inspiration? We’ve curated a list of the most anticipated travel highlights of 2024. From the Olympics and a snow festival to art events and new hotels, there’s something for everyone. 

1. Get swept up in the Olympic spirit in Paris (26 July–11 August) 

The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics will be a global sports spectacle like no other, starting with the first-ever opening ceremony held outside a stadium. Join the athletes as they travel down the Seine, compete across the city and celebrate with fans at the Champions Park.  

2. Immerse yourself in art and action in Tokyo 

It’s all about the immersive experience these days. And nowhere is doing it better than Tokyo, where this year pioneering digital art museum TeamLab Borderless will reopen in a brand-new space in Azabudai Hills. Meanwhile, Immersive Fort Tokyo will debut as the world’s first immersive theme park.  

3. Check out a solar eclipse in North America (8 April) 

Get your viewing glasses ready for the first total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States since 2017 – and the last until 2044. With a path of totality spanning Mexico to Canada, millions are expected to witness this spectacular astronomical event. 

4. Escape to a new city  

There’s no shortage of new urban hotels opening in 2024, which means you’ll have plenty of excuses to plan a quick escape – or three – to your favourite cities.  

Aman Nai Lert Bangkok is set to become Thailand’s first urban Aman hotel, nestled inside a verdant park preserved by famed local developer Nai Lert and his family since 1915. 

Cinnamon Life Integrated Resort in Colombo is a ground-breaking waterfront complex that will be home to 800 guestrooms and suites, 15 restaurants and bars, two wellness centres and much more.

The Tokyo Edition, Ginza will be the brand’s second outpost in Japan, occupying a prime location in one of Tokyo’s most sought-after entertainment and shopping destinations. 

Six Senses London will showcase the brand’s passion for wellness and sustainability with a British twist, including an expansive spa modelled on an old-fashioned London Underground station. 

Also offering a unique taste of urban luxury in the heart of London, Mandarin Oriental Mayfair will feature sophisticated rooms and suites alongside cutting-edge cuisine and a state-of-the-art wellness sanctuary. 

5. Step inside a winter wonderland in Sapporo (4-11 February)

For the first time in four years, the International Snow Sculpture Competition returns to the Sapporo Snow Festival . Don’t miss the incredible works of snow and ice, and a range of wintry activities for the whole family throughout the eight-day event.  

6. Delve into the city’s art in Hong Kong (22 February–24 March) 

The annual Hong Kong Arts Festival returns to full scale from next month, with 150 performances by local and international artists – and another 350 outreach and educational events – taking over the city. From Chinese opera to ballet and theatre, there’s something for everyone.  

7. Celebrate the best of the beautiful game in Germany (14 June–14 July)

This isn’t just an Olympic year: it’s also a football year, with the UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany. Matches will take place at 10 stadiums across the nation, including the Frankfurt Arena and Olympiastadion Berlin, the latter of which will host the final.

8. Explore Chinese wine in Beijing

Thanks to its ever-growing appetite for wine, the Chinese Mainland will soon be home to the world’s second-largest wine museum. The Universal Wine Museum in Beijing is a joint project with Bordeaux’s Cité du Vin and a must-visit for oenophiles from East and West. 

9. Walk among the dinosaurs in Los Angeles 

This year, Los Angeles’ Natural History Museum will finally unveil the results of its US$75 million renovation and expansion project – including the debut of Gnatalie, the 21-metre-long fossilised skeleton of a long-necked dinosaur. 

10. Live the resort life  

Combining the best of modern hospitality with local culture and traditions, these new resorts are prime spots for relaxation and rejuvenation.  

Anantara Ubud Bali Resort is nestled amidst tropical jungle and verdant rice fields, with a mix of guest rooms and pool villas as well as a spa, kids’ club and pool bar. 

Rising from the shores of the famed surf town, Regent Bali Canggu will feature luxe accommodation as well as world-class dining and spa treatments inspired by its surroundings. 

The ultra-luxury Raffles Sentosa Resort & Spa is poised to become one of the most exclusive resorts in Asia, with 62 spacious pool villas on a beachfront location.  

Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra , on the island of Mallorca, will occupy three hectares of landscaped cliff tops and gardens with extensive facilities, including one indoor and three outdoor pools.  

11. Celebrate the end of an era in Vancouver (6-8 December) 

There are concert tours… and then there’s Taylor Swift. The Eras Tour , the biggest in music history, makes its final stop in Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium at the end of the year. Lucky Swifties might also catch the singer dining on Main Street or shaking it off in Stanley Park.  

12. Expand your art horizons in Singapore (19-21 January) 

Get inspired by South East Asia’s blossoming art scene at the region’s largest and most prominent art fair, Art SG . Featuring world-class galleries, young artists and a dazzling range of artworks spanning multiple mediums, the three-day event returns for its second edition at the Marina Bay Sands.  

13. Get your groove on in New York (5-14 January) 

After years of planning, a new performing arts venue has finally arrived in Lower Manhattan. The Perelman Performing Arts Center kicks off 2024 with Motion/Matter, a multi-day festival that celebrates street dance movements from the Big Apple and beyond with dance battles, DJ performances and more.  

14. Get up close and personal with a national treasure in the UK (10 May) 

Botticelli, Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Vermeer – these are just some of the artists whose paintings are being unveiled simultaneously in 12 venues across the UK this May to mark the bicentenary of The National Gallery . Don’t miss your chance to see these masterpieces in a whole new light.  

15. Hit the track in Shanghai (19-21 April) 

The Chinese Grand Prix returns to the Formula 1 calendar for the first time since 2019. Witness the prowess of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton trackside at the Shanghai International Circuit, as well as Zhou Guanyu’s first race in his hometown since his F1 career began in 2022.  

16. Witness the rebirth of Notre-Dame in Paris 

Five years after a devastating fire forced the closure of Notre Dame de Paris , the iconic cathedral will reopen on 8 December following a painstaking renovation. Be among the first to view the restorations of its soaring vaulted ceilings, magnificent stained-glass windows and 10-metre-tall Grand Organ. 

17. Roll with the good times in Zurich (21-29 September) 

The world’s top cyclists will descend upon the Swiss financial capital to compete in the UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships this September. Watch the race in spectacular scenery – and cheer on the riders as they cross the finish line at Sechseläutenplatz by Lake Zurich.  

18. Shine a light on humanity in Sydney (24 May–15 June) 

With “humanity” as its theme, this year’s Vivid Sydney festival will feature a 23-day programme of awe-inspiring art and light installations, live music, immersive cultural experiences and thought-provoking discussions on how imagination and creativity can make us better humans.  

19. Behold nature’s bounty in Chengdu (26 April–28 October) 

This year, the sports world has Paris and the horticultural industry has Chengdu. Join plant and garden enthusiasts from around the globe at the 2024 Chengdu International Horticultural Exhibition , held in a series of futuristic pavilions along the Jiangxi River. 

20. Let dreams take flight in Hong Kong 

Set the kids loose at Greater China’s first KidZania at 11 Skies , where children can roleplay adult jobs. KidZania is one of eight world-class indoor entertainment attractions launching at 11 Skies, an expansive retailtainment destination near Hong Kong International Airport which is opening in phases throughout the year. 

21. Hit the rails in South East Asia 

Slow travel is trending, and few things capture its bygone charm like a luxury train. Journey back in time and into the heart of Malaysia with a three-night voyage on the Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train , which resumes service in February 2024 after a four-year hiatus. 

22. Party like it’s 1624 in Tainan 

It’s not every day that a city turns 400, so Tainan is making the most of it. Join the city for Tainan 400 , a year-long celebration campaign featuring a series of major cultural events and exhibitions, including the Taiwan Design Exhibition, Taiwan Cultural Expo, Taiwan Lantern Festival and much more. 

23. Get reel in Ho Chi Minh City (6-13 April)

Vietnamese cinema is booming, with local hits snapping up awards and driving box-office sales. Discover what the buzz is about at the inaugural Ho Chi Minh City International Film Festival . You can even trade your usual popcorn for a delicious banh mi.  

24. Explore the best new hotels in Greater China

A slate of new hotels is breathing fresh life into cities across Greater China.

Kimpton Hong Kong will bring its boutique vibes to lively Tsim Sha Tsui this July. 

Banyan Tree Dongguan Songshan Lake will offer 141 spacious rooms and suites, as well as 18 villas and the brand’s world-renowned spa, amidst a unique and secluded lakeside paradise.

Hotel Nikko Kaohsiung will cater to business and leisure travellers within a conveniently located tower overlooking Kaohsiung harbour.