It’s hard to believe we’re already talking about travel in 2027, but two of the world’s largest online travel companies have just released their annual predictions, and some of the findings are pretty surprising. Expedia has revealed its annual Unpack ’27 report, highlighting the destinations seeing the biggest increases in traveler interest. Meanwhile, Booking.com surveyed more than 28,000 travelers across 32 countries and territories to find out how people plan to travel next year.
What’s interesting is that the two reports complement each other. Expedia tells us where travelers are looking to go, while Booking.com offers insight into why they’re traveling and what they’re hoping to get out of their vacations. From South Lake Tahoe topping the list of trending destinations to travelers wanting haunted vacations, kid-free flights and artificial intelligence to handle their work while they’re away, there’s plenty to unpack.
South Lake Tahoe tops Expedia’s list of trending destinations for 2027
This one surprised me the most. According to Expedia, searches for South Lake Tahoe, California, have jumped an incredible 195% year-over-year, making it the company’s No. 1 trending destination for 2027. Of course, Lake Tahoe has always been a popular vacation spot, especially for skiing in the winter and enjoying the lake during the summer. But a 195% increase in searches is pretty remarkable, especially considering how many incredible destinations there are around the world.
Expedia’s rankings reflect increases in traveler searches, not necessarily confirmed bookings, so they don’t mean all these places will see a corresponding jump in actual visitors. Still, they’re a useful indicator of where traveler interest is growing.
Here are Expedia’s top 10 trending destinations for 2027:
- South Lake Tahoe, California: Searches up 195%
- Hyogo, Japan: Up 95%
- Punta del Este, Uruguay: Up 65%
- Sedona, Arizona: Up 55%
- Busan, South Korea: Up 50%
- Holbox, Mexico: Up 45%
- Perugia, Italy: Up 35%
- The Tweed, New South Wales, Australia: Up 35%
- Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada: Up 35%
- Chichester, United Kingdom: Up 30%
I love seeing some lesser-known destinations on this list. Hyogo, Japan, for example, offers everything from historic castles to hot springs and incredible food. Perugia, Italy, is another great choice for travelers who want to experience Italian culture without spending their entire vacation in Rome, Florence or Venice. And Niagara-on-the-Lake is a beautiful Canadian town that’s worth visiting, especially if you enjoy wineries, charming streets and a more relaxed atmosphere than nearby Niagara Falls.
One thing I’d caution travelers about is booking a destination simply because it’s trending. Popularity doesn’t always translate into a better vacation, and sometimes the best places are the ones that aren’t generating headlines.
Travelers want to have fun and feel like kids again
Another interesting finding from Expedia’s report is the rise of something the company calls “Un-Adulting.” According to its research, 57% of travelers say they’re likely to book a trip focused on carefree, childlike fun in 2027. That number jumps to 71% among Gen Z and Millennials.
I can understand the appeal. Between work, bills, family responsibilities and everything else life throws at us, sometimes it’s nice to go somewhere and just have fun. Whether that means visiting a theme park, spending a day at a water park or trying an activity you loved as a kid, I think there’s something to be said for taking a vacation that doesn’t revolve around checking famous landmarks off a list.
Of course, I don’t think this is really a new trend. People have been traveling to Disney parks, ski resorts and beach destinations for generations to have fun. But perhaps more adults are now embracing those experiences without feeling like they need an excuse.
Haunted vacations and paranormal experiences are gaining interest
Here’s where Booking.com’s predictions get really interesting. According to the company’s U.S. survey findings, 72% of American travelers expressed interest in paranormal travel experiences, while 57% said they would consider an experience in the hope of communicating with someone on the other side. That’s a surprisingly high number!
Booking.com calls this trend “Trip to the Beyond,” and it includes everything from haunted hotels and ghost tours to visiting places associated with mysterious events and supernatural stories. I can see why this appeals to some travelers. Ghost tours can be a fun way to learn about a destination’s history, especially in cities with centuries of fascinating stories.
I wouldn’t plan an vacation around trying to communicate with ghosts but everyone has different interests, and what sounds strange to one person might be someone else’s dream vacation.
Travelers are choosing destinations based on their mood
Booking.com also found that 82% of U.S. travelers would choose a vacation destination primarily based on how they want to feel rather than where they want to go. The company calls this “Vibe Check(In),” which is a catchy way of saying that people are thinking more about the emotional experience of travel.
For example, instead of deciding to visit Paris because it’s Paris, someone might look for a destination where they can relax, disconnect from technology or spend more quality time with family. Booking.com also found that 76% of American travelers would use a search tool that recommends destinations based on their mood.
I actually think this makes sense. When I plan a trip, I don’t always start with a specific destination. Sometimes I’m looking for warm weather, a relaxing beach, outdoor adventures or somewhere the kids will have a great time. The technology may be changing, but the idea of planning a vacation around how you want to feel isn’t exactly new.
Money is influencing who gets invited on vacation
Here’s another finding that probably won’t surprise anyone who has ever organized a group trip. Booking.com reports that 53% of travelers surveyed have reconsidered inviting someone on vacation because of differences in spending habits. Another 52% have experienced disagreements during trips because people had different expectations about money.
Think about it. One person wants to stay at a five-star resort and eat at expensive restaurants every night, while someone else is trying to keep costs down by staying at a budget hotel and grabbing inexpensive meals. Neither approach is wrong, but putting those travelers together without discussing expectations beforehand can be a recipe for disaster.
My advice is to have an honest conversation about budgets before booking anything. Discuss hotels, meals, activities and transportation so everyone knows what they’re getting into. And don’t assume everyone has the same definition of an affordable vacation.
Interestingly, Booking.com also found that 67% of parents surveyed were interested in traveling without their children so they could spend more on themselves. As much as I love traveling with my family, I can certainly understand why parents occasionally want a getaway of their own.
Travelers want more flexibility with all-inclusive vacations
One of Booking.com’s more practical findings involves all-inclusive resorts. According to the research, 73% of travelers surveyed want vacation packages that allow them to remove services they don’t plan to use.
My family doesn’t drink alcohol, so paying extra for a package that includes unlimited alcoholic beverages isn’t particularly appealing. The same goes for travelers who don’t want elaborate buffets, certain activities or other services bundled into their vacation price.
I’ve always believed that travelers should carefully compare what’s included in a package before purchasing it. Just because something is advertised as all-inclusive doesn’t automatically mean it’s a good deal for everyone. If hotels and resorts begin offering more customizable packages, that could be a welcome change for travelers who don’t want to pay for things they’ll never use.
Could artificial intelligence make vacations more relaxing?
Booking.com also predicts that artificial intelligence will play a bigger role in helping travelers disconnect from work. According to the survey, 65% of travelers expressed interest in having AI handle work responsibilities while they’re away, while 48% said they would be comfortable allowing it to manage emails and administrative tasks.
I can definitely see the appeal of having technology sort through emails, flag urgent messages and help organize everything waiting for you when you return. However, I would be cautious about giving an AI system permission to respond to important work emails without reviewing them first. Technology can be incredibly useful, but it can also make mistakes.
My advice would be to start with lower-risk tasks, such as summarizing messages and identifying what needs attention. And make sure any system you use complies with your employer’s privacy and security policies. The ultimate goal of a vacation should be to enjoy your time away, not spend every afternoon checking your inbox.
Travelers want to arrive feeling refreshed, not exhausted
This might be my favorite prediction from Booking.com because it involves something I’ve written about for years: making air travel more comfortable. The company found that 88% of travelers surveyed would be interested in taking a long-haul flight if they could be guaranteed they’d arrive rested and refreshed. Wouldn’t that be nice?
Travelers expressed interest in things like food and beverage options designed to promote better sleep, cabin lighting that helps reduce jet lag and skincare products for long flights. Another interesting finding: 24% said they would consider choosing a designated quiet zone without children.
That last one will certainly create a debate. Airlines have experimented with different seating arrangements over the years, and I can understand why some travelers would appreciate a quieter cabin. But I also know from traveling extensively with my own children that families have just as much right to fly as anyone else and kids are usually better mannered than the adults.
Regardless of where you stand on that issue, I think most passengers would agree that better sleep, more comfortable seats and a less stressful flying experience would be welcome improvements.
Travelers are looking beyond traditional tourist destinations
Expedia’s research also suggests that more travelers are interested in destinations away from the usual coastal vacation spots. Nearly 65% of travelers surveyed said they had vacationed in a non-coastal destination during the previous year. On Vrbo, searches for Bentonville, Arkansas, increased 140%, while Deadwood, South Dakota, saw a 120% jump.
I think this is one of the more encouraging trends. There are so many interesting places to visit that don’t get nearly as much attention as major cities and beach resorts. Smaller destinations can offer wonderful experiences, from local restaurants and museums to hiking trails, historic sites and unique accommodations.
Of course, smaller doesn’t always mean cheaper or less crowded, especially when a destination suddenly becomes popular. But expanding your search beyond the usual vacation hotspots can open the door to some memorable trips.
TV shows are still influencing where people travel
Expedia also found that entertainment continues to influence vacation planning. For example, accommodation searches for Monaco increased more than 120% in the 30 days after Emily in Paris confirmed that its sixth season would film there.
This is often called “set-jetting,” and it’s something we’ve seen for years as travelers visit destinations featured in popular movies and television shows. I think it’s a fun way to discover somewhere new, but I’d always recommend researching a destination beyond what you see on screen. Television and movies can make places look incredibly glamorous, but the actual experience may be very different.
What these 2027 travel predictions really mean
After reading both reports, my biggest takeaway is that travelers increasingly want vacations that feel personal. Some want to escape everyday responsibilities and have fun like kids again. Others want to explore unusual destinations, reconnect with loved ones, challenge themselves physically or simply return home feeling rested.
And while technology will undoubtedly play a bigger role in planning and managing trips, I don’t think an algorithm will ever completely replace the excitement of discovering somewhere unexpected.
One important point to remember is that these reports measure different things. Expedia’s destination rankings reflect increases in searches, while Booking.com’s predictions are based largely on what survey respondents say they’re interested in doing. Interest doesn’t always translate into actual bookings.
My advice for 2027? Don’t choose a destination just because it’s trending. Think about what you really want out of your vacation, compare prices, do your research and book the trip that’s right for you. Sometimes that might mean visiting one of the world’s most famous cities. Other times, it could mean discovering a small town you’ve never heard of.
And if you happen to encounter a ghost along the way, well, that’s certainly one way to make your vacation memorable.
Sources: Expedia Unpack ’27 and Booking.com Newsroom.
