As the world opened its doors in 2024, it ushered in a new era of travel free from the grip of Covid restrictions.
Numerous captivating stories emerged from the travel landscape, adding a touch of absurdity and excitement to holiday narratives.
This year, adventure seekers were not just planning their getaways; they also shared tales that blur the lines between reality and the extraordinary.
From the controversial Olympic cardboard beds, designed with caution in mind yet sparking debates about comfort and romance, to a celebrity conquering the Great Wall of China in stilettos, the travel landscape is brimming with quirky anecdotes that are sure to ignite conversations.
These stories reflect a broader trend in travel, where the unexpected has become the norm, and every journey is an opportunity for a memorable experience.
Whether it’s the thrill of navigating through bustling airports now buzzing with life or the joy of rediscovering beloved destinations, 2024 was a year filled with unique adventures.
Social media also amplified these narratives, inspiring others to embrace the absurd and adventurous spirit of travel.
As we dive into these tales, we find that each experience, no matter how bizarre, contributes to the rich tapestry of our collective travel history. So here are some of the most bizarre travel stories for 2024.
The return of the Olympic 'no sex' cardboard beds
France, was the host of the much-anticipated Paris Summer Olympics from July to August 2024. The country, crowned the most travelled destination for 2024, made headlines well before the athletes arrive.
2023 saw the country working over time and taking extraordinary measures to deal with a bed bug outbreak facing Paris and other cities ahead of the Olympics.
After successfully dealing with bed bugs, country looked forward to hosting the games.
The first thing most travellers look forward to when travelling is a comfortable bed to rest. However, France shocked many netizens with the announcement of the revival of the Olympic “no sex” cardboard beds for athletes.
Originally debuted during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, these rigid cardboard beds manufactured by Japanese company Airweave have elicited a plethora of reactions online.
While praised for their eco-friendliness and ease of transport, detractors have likened the bedding to a strategy for discouraging athletes from engaging in romantic escapades and bad hosting.
Naviphobia reignited by a cruise ship scare
Meanwhile, a recent incident at sea has reignited fears of naviphobia — the fear of boats and cruise ships.
On November 7, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Explorer of the Seas, encountered turbulence when a squall struck while traversing the Atlantic towards Miami after a stop in Tenerife.
The sudden jolt caused the ship to tilt dramatically, sending furniture and cutlery into tumult.
While the chaos made for alarming viewing, thankfully there were no injuries reported. The captain wisely decided to return to the Canary Islands to attend to a guest in need of medical care, following a rather stressful journey across the open water.
It's also good to know that though cruise ships have sunk in the past, the instances are very rare and modern safety protocols mean that most, if not all, passengers and crew will be perfectly safe.
A daring standoff with an elephant
In a truly wild encounter, South African tourists found themselves in a hair-raising stand-off with a bull elephant at Pilanesberg National Park in the Bojanala Platinum District of the North West.
While enjoying a safari drive, the group faced a male elephant that took a liking to their vehicle, ramming its head against it before lifting it off the ground.
The driver’s frantic attempts to placate the massive creature went viral on TikTok, leaving viewers both horrified and amused.
The guide and visitors received a dose of counselling post-incident. The guide demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of danger. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and the elephant eventually retreated, leaving a memorable story for all involved.
Media personality added to the 'no-fly' list
In an altogether different kind of travel story, controversial media personality Ngizwe Mchunu crossed into infamy after being placed on a “no-fly list” by domestic airline FlySafair.
The uproar stemmed from a heated altercation on flight FA196 between Durban and Cape Town, during which Mchunu was filmed arguing with a flight attendant.
The media personality and the group he was travelling were chanting Zulu slogans causing a disruption on the flight.
Mchunu described his actions on the flight as his way of paying homage to King Shaka, whom Durban’s airport is named after.
After the incident, FlySafair slapped Mchunu a letter notifying him of a travel ban and suspension from travelling with the airline for his actions.
Following the ban, Mchunu sought an apology from the airline, which left many questioning the boundaries between celebrity antics and passenger rights.
Mariah Carey’s record-breaking hike
Not one to shy away from an adventure, Grammy-winning artist Mariah Carey showcased her unique approach to travel by conquering the Great Wall of China — in 6-inch heels.
Sharing her experience on social media, Carey not only captured the attention of legions of fans but also demonstrated a tenacity seldom seen in the landscape of celebrity travel challenges.
Scaling the iconic structure, which spans approximately 21,196 kilometres, she certainly raised eyebrows, reminding us that adventures in style can be just as captivating as those in a more practical guise.
The recent peculiarities and extraordinary narratives that have emerged in the travel sector in 2024 remind us that every journey can come packed with surprises.
Whether you prefer charming escapades or heart-pounding encounters, there’s something to be highlighted in each story as the world welcomes back travellers with open arms.