From carefree escapes to bite-sized breaks and hobby-inspired travel, travelers in 2027 are choosing trips that feel more personal and purposeful

Today, Expedia Group unveiled Unpack ’27: The Trends in Travel™, the annual global travel trends report from Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo that details the destinations and travel behaviors expected to shape the year ahead. Powered by a combination of first-party data, insights from a survey of 26,000 travelers, and social listening, Unpack ’27 reveals seven trends — from reclaiming child-like joy and embracing dramatic stays to making vacation all about hobbies and squeezing in one-night getaways.

“Travel is about creating memories, and Unpack ’27 uncovers the destinations and experiences shaping those moments,” said Ariane Gorin, CEO of Expedia Group. “In 2027, travelers are being more intentional in choosing their next adventure, seeking experiences that are more personal and purposeful to them. We’re making it easier to discover, plan, and book the right trip, so travelers can spend less time managing the details and more time enjoying the moments that matter.”

Expedia – 2027 Destinations of the Year

Expedia’s 2027 Destinations of the Year list spotlights some of the fastest-growing travel destinations, based on real search data that identifies where traveler interest is surging.

To help encourage travel with care, six destinations also earned Expedia’s Smart Travel Health Check for managing tourism responsibly while offering rich experiences. This Expedia framework was introduced with last year’s Unpack ’26 report and inspired by principles from the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) report on actions for sustainable tourism management.

2027 Destinations of the Year3
Destination	% Search Increase	Activities
South Lake Tahoe, California, U.S.	+195%	Alpine adventure, crystal-clear waters, year-round mountain escape
Hyogo, Japan ✓	+95%	Centuries-old heritage, healing hot springs, unforgettable coastal cuisine
Punta del Este, Uruguay	+65%	Chic coastal escape, golden beaches, laid-back glamor
Sedona, Arizona, U.S. ✓	+55%	Red-rock vistas, spiritual calm, adventure under endless blue skies
Busan, South Korea ✓	+50%	Vibrant seaside city, buzzing markets, big-city energy
Holbox, Mexico	+45%	Barefoot beaches, bioluminescent waters, laid-back island ease
Perugia, Italy ✓	+35%	Medieval streets, storied art, unforgettable food
The Tweed, New South Wales, Australia ✓	+35%	Golden beaches, lush hinterland, relaxed coastal charm
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada	+35%	Storybook streets, scenic vineyards, lakeside charm
Chichester, U.K. ✓	+30%	History, creative culture, scenic countryside near the coast

Explore the 2027 Destinations of the Year here.

Expedia – Un-Adulting

Un-Adulting is grownup getaways full of kid-like activity. In 2027, Expedia data shows travelers are embracing Un-Adulting by swapping adult responsibilities for playful getaways that reawaken childlike joy. From theme parks to nostalgic activities, Un-Adulting trips are about wanting a carefree day (69%), quality time with loved ones (64%), and a genuine break from responsibilities (56%).¹

Demand for adults-only trips is growing:

• 57% of travelers say they’re likely to book an Un-Adulting trip in 2027, rising to 71% of Gen Z and Millennials.¹
• Social media mentions of carefree, adult-only trips are up 41% year-over-year.⁴

Across the travel industry, more adults-only experiences are now available, from Walt Disney World’s kid-free GEO-82 lounge at EPCOT and its late-night After-Hours events to Universal Studios Japan’s adults-only Halloween Horror Nights overnight experience.

2027 Un-Adulting Experiences to Try
Activity/Destination	Location	Activity/Destination	Location
Tokyo Disneyland	Tokyo, Japan	Universal Studios Hollywood	Los Angeles, U.S.
Color Factory Chicago	Chicago, U.S.	Niagara Falls Zipline	Niagara Falls, Canada
Park Xcaret	Cancun, Mexico	Princess Senses The Mangrove Resort	Green Island, Jamaica
Virgin Voyages	Miami, U.S.	Walt Disney World Resort	Orlando, U.S.
Gold Coast: Dreamworld	Gold Coast, Australia	Museum of Ice Cream	New York, U.S.

Discover more about Un-Adulting here.

Hotels.com – Trip Snacking

Travelers are satiating their travel appetite by Trip Snacking in 2027 — booking one-night stays that can be squeezed into busy schedules and tighter budgets to get away more often. Searches on Hotels.com for one-night stays are up nearly 10% year-over-year,⁵ as travelers increasingly turn to quick, spontaneous getaways in between longer, less frequent trips. In addition, 79% of travelers say they’re planning to book a one-night stay in the coming year, with that figure climbing to 83% among Gen Z and Millennials — evidence that Trip Snacking is fast becoming the default way younger travelers get away.¹

Key reasons for Trip Snacking include:

• Celebrating life milestones (34%)
• Attending concerts, shows and sporting events (32%)
• Needing a quick reset between longer, more traditional vacations (28%)1

Social media conversation mentioning 24-hour getaways is up 12% YoY.³ For Trip Snackers, the most important consideration when planning a one-night getaway is finding a good deal, and 71% agree that a Trip Snack holds them over until the next longer trip.⁷

2027 Top Spots for Trip Snacking
Most Searched Locations3	Recommended Hotels	Most Searched Locations3	Recommended Hotels
Las Vegas, U.S.	Wynn Las Vegas	Paris, France	Hotel Montalembert
Montreal, Canada	Hotel Birks Montreal	Copenhagen, Denmark	Hotel Sanders
London, U.K.	The Zetter Bloomsbury	Stockholm, Sweden	Stockholm Stadshotell
New York, U.S.	Public, Ian Schrager Hotel	Seoul, South Korea	The Grand Lotte Seoul
Tokyo, Japan	The Tokyo Station Hotel	Sao Paulo, Brazil	Palacio Tangara, Oetker Hotels

Find more Trip Snacking options here.

Hotels.com – Gothic Getaways

Gothic Getaways are the moody and dramatic stays trending on Hotels.com for 2027. From neo-Gothic architecture and candlelit corridors to castle hotels and dark color-drenched rooms, travelers are choosing where to stay based on how the space makes them feel.

Over half of travelers (56%) have booked hotels specifically for the atmosphere or aesthetic, and 65% are specifically interested in booking a Gothic-style hotel. Gothic Getaways are especially popular among Gen Z and Millennials, with 71% reporting a desire to stay in Gothic-style property.¹

Fueled by the rising popularity of dark fantasy and Gothic storytelling in pop culture, Gothic Getaways have grown into a year-round travel trend. Among travelers interested in booking a Gothic-style hotel, the leading motivations are historic properties with a storied past (46%) and destinations steeped in folklore, legend, or the supernatural (35%).¹ 

Social media mentions of Gothic architecture and travel have increased by 38%, and demand for castle properties on Hotels.com also increased 20% globally year-over-year.⁶

2027 Gothic Getaway Hotels
Hotel	Location
The Bowery Hotel	New York, U.S.
L’oscar London	London, U.K.
Maison Métier – The Unbound Collection by Hyatt	New Orleans, U.S.
L’Escape	Seoul, South Korea
Grand Hôtel Stockholm	Stockholm, Sweden
Hotel Grad Otočec Relais & Châteaux	Otočec, Slovenia
Sina Brufani	Perugia, Italy
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac	Québec City, Canada
Santa Teresa Hotel	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Hotel de la Cité Carcassonne	Carcassonne, France

See more Gothic Getaways here.

Vrbo – Hobby Hubs

Vacations in 2027 are increasingly being fueled by hobbies, making Hobby Hubs — Vrbo vacation rentals booked specifically for everything from crafting weekends and photography retreats to mahjong game nights and antiquing escapes — the perfect way to get away.

•  68% of travelers say they’re likely to take a hobby-focused trip in 2027, climbing to 79% of Gen Z and Millennials.
• 38% of travelers say hobbies play a bigger role in how they travel compared to five years ago.²

Connection is key for those looking to engage in hobby holidays. The leading motivations for booking a Hobby Hub are:

• Enjoying a hobby in a new setting (41%)
• Spending time with people who share similar interests (41%)
• Disconnecting from day-to-day distractions (34%)²

Puzzles and board games are the most popular hobbies travelers want to do on vacation with family or friends, followed by photography, antiquing or thrifting, and crafting.

2027 Vacation Rentals Built for Hobby Hub Trips
Property	Location	Property	Location
The Puzzler’s Retreat	Tucson, Arizona, U.S.	The Crafting Cottage	St. Peter’s Harbour, PEI, Canada
The Antiquing Villa	Palm Springs, California, U.S.	The Play House	Calgary, Alberta, Canada
The Birding Nest	Telluride, Colorado, U.S.	The Bushwalker’s Basecamp	Winchelsea South, Victoria, Australia
The Stargazing Lodge	Big Bend, Texas, U.S.	The Photography Maison	New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.

Check out more Hobby Hubs here.

Vrbo – Heartland Hideouts

Some of the most exciting hidden gem destinations for 2027 are landlocked. Heartland Hideouts, Vrbo’s hottest emerging vacation spots, may lack ocean views but make up for it with plenty of local culture and charm. Interest is strong for these lesser-known getaways, made up of college towns, burgeoning foodie cities, and lakeside escapes from Bentonville, Arkansas, to Deadwood, South Dakota.

Nearly 65% of travelers have gone on vacation to non-coastal destinations in the past 12 months. The top driver for visiting landlocked locales is interest in the local culture, food, and art scenes, followed by a desire for exploration, fewer crowds, and affordability.² 

2027 Heartland Hideout Destinations7
Destination	% Search Increase	Activities
Bentonville, Arkansas, U.S.	+140%	Mountain biking, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, college sports
Deadwood, South Dakota, U.S.	+120%	Historic Wild West, Gold Rush history, scenic Black Hills
Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.	+120%	College-town energy, volleyball, International Quilt Museum
Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.	+90%	College-town culture, new baseball stadium, Big Ears Music Festival
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.	+60%	Amish Country, antique shopping, one of America’s oldest inland cities
Canmore, Alberta, Canada	+55%	Mountain hiking, alpine lakes, Banff access
Broken Bow, Oklahoma, U.S.	+50%	Beavers Bend State Park, fishing, horseback riding
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, U.S.	+50%	Lakefront boating, golf, waterfront dining
Asheville, North Carolina, U.S.	+35%	Celebrated arts scene, acclaimed restaurants, breweries
Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.	+30%	Ann Arbor Art Fair, outdoor markets, the Huron River
Lafayette, Louisiana, U.S.	+25%	Cajun and Creole cuisine, Zydeco music, bayou landscapes
Bloomington, Indiana, U.S.	+20%	Griffy Lake, caves, 10+ downtown art galleries
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada	+20%	The Forks, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, arts scene

Read more about Heartland Hideouts here.

Expedia Group – The 2027 Set-Jetting Forecast

Set-Jetting, travel inspired by TV shows and movies, is now an established travel behavior. Five years after Expedia first named Set-Jetting as a travel trend, nearly 1 in 5 travelers now report having booked a trip to a destination after seeing it featured in a TV show or movie.¹

In 2027, the films and shows that will drive the Set-Jetting trend are highly anticipated new seasons, sequels, and extensions of franchises and fandoms travelers love. The anticipation effect is real:

• Nearly half of the travelers surveyed reported proactively researching or booking trips to destinations from upcoming TV shows and movies that haven’t even been released yet, rising to 58% among Gen Z and Millennials. ¹
• Searches for Monaco spiked by over 120% in the 30 days after Emily in Paris season 6 was confirmed to be filming there. ⁸
• On social media, mentions of traveling to Miami increased by 64% year-over-year driven by the upcoming Miami Vice reboot. ⁸

From famous movie settings to TV show filming locations, the rise in film tourism and movie-inspired vacations is turning on-screen backdrops into next year’s must-visit spot.

2027 Set-Jetting Forecast
Destination	Inspired By	Destination	Inspired By
Greece	Emily in Paris Season 6	Wellington, New Zealand	The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum
Monaco	Emily in Paris Season 6 & Ocean’s Eleven prequel	Miami, U.S.	Miami Vice ’85
Cannes and Saint-Tropez, France	The White Lotus Season 4	Seoul, South Korea	K-Pop: The Debut
Lake Michigan, U.S.	Beach Read	Tenerife, Spain	Day Drinker
Toronto and Montreal, Canada	Heated Rivalry Season 2

View the latest Set-Jetting destinations here.

To learn more about the travel trends in Unpack ’27, visit the report.

Visit http://www.expedia.com/newsroom for Unpack ’27 assets and more news from Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo.

Notes to Editor

Data Sources:

About Unpack ’27

Q: What is Unpack ’27? 
A: Unpack ’27 is Expedia Group’s annual global travel insights report, built on years of trend forecasting and traveler behavior analysis. It draws on first-party data from Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo, along with insights from 26,000 travelers globally across 16 countries, making it one of the most comprehensive travel trend reports in the industry. 

Q: What makes Unpack ’27 a credible source for travel trends? 
A: The report combines real-time platform data from millions of users with third-party research conducted by OnePoll, following the Market Research Society’s Code of Conduct. Its findings are backed by behavioral insights, booking patterns, and cultural signals, making it a trusted resource for media, industry leaders, and travelers alike. 

Q: What is the Smart Travel Health Check and how is it used in Unpack ’27? 
A: Expedia’s Smart Travel Health Check assesses destinations based on the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) six principles for sustainable tourism management. Destinations that meet these criteria are better equipped to manage tourism sustainably, protect local environments, and support communities. Destinations without a check mark may not yet meet or have measurable data for all six principles; however, they still offer rich travel experiences. Their inclusion reflects Expedia’s commitment to showcasing a diverse range of destinations while encouraging progress toward sustainable tourism.  

Q: How are destinations evaluated for the Smart Travel Health Check? 

A: The Smart Travel Health Check indicates that a destination has been assessed against six key principles to ensure responsible and resilient tourism. These include having stewardship bodies with legitimacy and funding, a shared vision with local communities, data-driven planning, smart monitoring systems, transparent reinvestment of tourism revenue, and meaningful empowerment of residents. Destinations that meet these criteria are better equipped to manage tourism sustainably, protect local environments, and support communities. To read more about WTTC’s research, visit reasearchhub.wttc.org.

Q: What are the latest travel trends for 2027? 
A: The Unpack ’27 report spotlights several major trends shaping travel in 2027: 

• 2027 Destinations of the Year: destinations with the fastest-growing search interest
• Set-Jetting: travel inspired by television shows and films
• Un-Adulting: playful, carefree getaways for adults
• Trip Snacking: frequent one-night stays and short getaways
• Gothic Getaways: stays chosen for a moody or dramatic atmosphere
• Hobby Hubs: vacation rentals organized around shared interests
• Heartland Hideouts: inland destinations with local culture and charm

Q: What destinations are trending for 2027?
A: The 2027 Destinations of the Year are Expedia’s list of the fastest-growing travel locations based on flight and accommodation search interest from the millions of daily visits to the Expedia site and app.The 2027 Destinations of the Year are:

• South Lake Tahoe, California, U.S.
• Holbox, Mexico
• Hyogo, Japan
• Perugia, Italy
• Punta del Este, Uruguay
• The Tweed, New South Wales, Australia
• Sedona, Arizona, U.S.
• Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada
• Busan, South Korea
• Chichester, U.K.

Q: What are the best adult-only vacations?
A: Adult-only vacations, or Un-Adulting as Expedia calls it, are trips built around playful getaways, like adults-only cruises and theme parks, that reawaken childlike joy, with one rule: zero obligations. The top Un-Adulting activities and destinations are:

• Tokyo Disneyland — Tokyo, Japan
• Universal Studios Hollywood — Los Angeles, U.S.
• Color Factory Chicago — Chicago, U.S.
• Park Xcaret — Cancun, Mexico
• Princess Senses The Mangrove Resort — Green Island, Jamaica
• Virgin Voyages — Miami, U.S.
• Walt Disney World Resort — Orlando, U.S.
• Gold Coast: Dreamworld — Gold Coast, Australia
• Museum of Ice Cream — New York, U.S.

Q: What are the best weekend getaways?
A: Trip Snacking is the Hotels.com-identified trend of taking frequent one-night stays and weekend getaways instead of saving up for one big annual vacation. The top locations for Trip Snacking are:

• Las Vegas, U.S. — Wynn Las Vegas
• Paris, France — Hotel Montalembert
• Montreal, Canada — Hotel Birks Montreal
• Copenhagen, Denmark — Hotel Sanders
• London, U.K. — The Zetter Bloomsbury
• Stockholm, Sweden — Stockholm Stadshotell
• New York, U.S. — Public, Ian Schrager Hotel
• Seoul, South Korea — The Grand Lotte Seoul
• Tokyo, Japan — The Tokyo Station Hotel
• Sao Paulo, Brazil — Palacio Tangara, Oetker Hotels

Q: What are Gothic Getaways?
A: Gothic Getaways are Hotels.com’s chosen stays for moodier, more dramatic atmosphere — think castle hotels, candlelit corridors, and dark color-drenched rooms.The top hotels for Gothic Getaways are:

• The Bowery Hotel — New York, U.S.
• L’oscar London — London, U.K.
• Maison Métier – The Unbound Collection by Hyatt — New Orleans, U.S.
• L’Escape — Seoul, South Korea
• Grand Hôtel Stockholm — Stockholm, Sweden
• Hotel Grad Otočec Relais & Châteaux — Otočec, Slovenia
• Sina Brufani — Perugia, Italy
• Fairmont Le Château Frontenac — Québec City, Canada
• Santa Teresa Hotel — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
• Hotel de la Cité Carcassonne — Carcassonne, France

Q: What are the best travel destinations for engaging in hobbies?
A: Vrbo’s Hobby Hubs are vacation rentals booked around a specific hobby, like crafting, photography, mahjong, or antiquing, so travelers can connect with others who share their interests. The top vacation rentals for enjoying hobbies are:

• The Puzzler’s Retreat — Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
• The Crafting Cottage — St. Peter’s Harbour, PEI, Canada
• The Antiquing Villa — Palm Springs, California, U.S.
• The Play House — Calgary, Alberta, Canada
• The Birding Nest — Telluride, Colorado, U.S.
• The Bushwalker’s Basecamp — Winchelsea South, Victoria, Australia
• The Stargazing Lodge — Big Bend, Texas, U.S.
• The Photography Maison — New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.

Q: What are the best rural or small-town getaways?
A: Vrbo’s Heartland Hideouts are inland, landlocked destinations, like college towns and lakeside escapes that offer emerging local culture and charm away from crowded coastal spots.The top small-town getaways are:

• Bentonville, Arkansas, U.S.
• Deadwood, South Dakota, U.S.
• Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
• Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S.
• Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.
• Canmore, Alberta, Canada
• Broken Bow, Oklahoma, U.S.
• Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, U.S.
• Asheville, North Carolina, U.S.
• Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.
• Lafayette, Louisiana, U.S.
• Bloomington, Indiana, U.S.
• Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Q: What is Set-Jetting?
A: Set-Jetting is travel inspired by TV shows and movies in which travelers visit destinations after seeing them on screen. Nearly 1 in 5 travelers globally have booked a trip this way. The top Set-Jetting locations are:

• Greece — Emily in Paris Season 6
• Monaco — Emily in Paris Season 6 & Ocean’s Eleven prequel
• Cannes and Saint-Tropez, France — The White Lotus Season 4
• Toronto and Montreal, Canada — Heated Rivalry Season 2
• Wellington, New Zealand — The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum
• Miami, U.S. — Miami Vice ’85
• Seoul, South Korea — K-Pop: The Debut
• Lake Michigan, U.S. — Beach Read
• Tenerife, Spain — Day Drinker

Q: Where can I access the full Unpack ’27 report and assets? 
A: Visit www.expedia.com/newsroom for the full Unpack ’27 report, downloadable assets, and brand-specific insights from Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo.