'Un-adulting' holidays and 'Trip Snacking' among the travel trends set to take over in 2027
Forget waiting for your social media feed to inform you of the trendiest ways to travel, as we've got the lowdown on what is set to take off in 2027.
Expedia Group has just revealed its annual trends report, Unpack 27', which offers an inside scoop on the adventures which are set to become super popular next year.
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Using a combination of real search data, social listening and the results of a survey answered by 26,000 globetrotters, the travel giant has predicted what the most hype-worthy holiday destinations will be.
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Unpack 27', which was revealed for the first time on Wednesday (14 October), provides an insight into the minds of contemporary travellers - and it appears as though most people are prioritising fun, character-filled trips.
Expedia Group reckons that people will be going rogue next year, opting to explore up-and-coming regions rather than typical tourist traps.
Different styles of travel are also set to blow up in 2027, as trends such as 'Un-Adulting', 'Trip Snacking', 'Gothic Getaways' and 'Set-Jetting' are gaining a lot of traction.
What travel destinations will be popular in 2027?
Expedia Group has just released its 'Destinations of the Year' list for 2027, detailing which budding locations are catching the attention of those planning their next trips.
Although you might not see these future holiday hotspots all over your Instagram feed just yet, the travel agency believes these ten spots will be the next big thing.
- South Lake Tahoe, California, US - searches are up 195% year-over-year
- Hyogo, Japan - there's been a 95% increase in search interest compared to last year
- Punta del Este, Uruguay - interest has soared 65% year-over-year
- Sedona, Arizona, US - there has been a 55% uptick in interest
- Busan, South Korea - climbing 50% year-over-year in searches
- Holbox, Mexico - interest has increased 45% year-over-year
- Perugia, Italy - searches for the destination are up 35% compared to last year
- The Tweed, New South Wales, Australia - there's been a 35% rise in interest over the last year
- Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada - year-on-year, there's been a 35% boost
- Chichester, UK - searches have increased 30% compared to last year
Ariane Gorin, CEO of Expedia Group, explained what its data uncovered in regards to the hottest travel trends for 2027.
"In 2027, travellers are being more intentional in choosing their next adventure, seeking experiences that are more personal and purposeful to them," she explained.
"We’re making it easier to discover, plan, and book the right trip, so travellers can spend less time managing the details and more time enjoying the moments that matter."
So, let's dig into what sort of experiences that travellers are in the market for.
What is Un-Adulting?
Holidaymakers are hoping to run away from responsibility - albeit with a return ticket - when jetting off in 2027.
According to Expedia, the majority of people are planning getaways for next year that bring about a sense of child-like freedom.
After sticking their out-of-office on, they're also hoping to opt out of the stresses of adulthood while they are away, as part of a trend that has been dubbed 'Un-Adulting'.
Research conducted by the online travel agency found that 57% of people heading abroad are interested in this sort of trip, while this soars to 71% among Gen Z and Millennials.
Anyone over the age of 18 is probably well aware of why folks fancy 'Un-Adulting', but let's take a look at what Expedia found out.
The leading reason was simply wanting a carefree getaway, while 64% of respondents said it would be a great opportunity for them to spend some leisurely quality time with their loved ones.
As well as this, 56% said they simply wanted to take a genuine break from their everyday responsibilities, which is surely a reason we can all relate to.
Trip Snacking travel trend explained
Just like a snack will keep you satiated throughout the day, so will a one-night stay at a relaxing hotel.
To tide themselves over between longer, more expensive holidays, 79% of travellers are planning to book a 24-hour getaway in 2027, according to Hotels.com.
This trend that is known as 'Trip Snacking' is even more popular among the younger generations, as 83% are intending on taking one.
Searches for these bite-sized breaks have increased almost 10% year-over-year on Hotels.com, while the chatter surrounding these short and sweet escapes is up 12% on social media in comparison to last year.
The report found that 34% of people think this trip style is the perfect way to celebrate a milestone, while 34% think it's a great way to make the most of attending a concert, show or sporting event.
28% reckon it's the best way to recharge between longer trips and 71% agree that it bridges the gap for them.
Gothic Getaways could provide some escapism
If you fancy adding an element of escapism to your next jaunt on a jet plane, a Gothic Getaway might be for you.
It's one of the prominent travel trends of 2027, Hotels.com said, as apparently the 'sense of mystery and heritage' they have is very appealing to those who are currently planning their future trips.
In a generation where the hotel decor is vital for a good Instagram dump, these character-filled establishments are the ideal place to stay, according to 65% of travellers.
When it comes to Gen Z and Millenials, 71% are interested in booking gothic-style accommodation next year.
More than half of holidaymakers are already selecting their digs based on the atmosphere or aesthetic.
According to Hotels.com, there has been a 20% spike in the demand for castles each year, which you can probably blame The Traitors for.
The chatter surrounding Gothic Getaways online has increased by 38%, while nearly half of respondents said they want to book historic hotels with a rich past and 35% are intrigued by destinations tied to folklore, legends or the supernatural.
Set-Jetting
Screen-inspired travel is set to be a leading contender in 2027 once again, as it seems people can't get enough of seeing where there favourite scenes were shot in real life.
TV series and films are continuing to influence the choices of holidaymakers, as nearly one in five folks worldwide have booked a trip to visit a set for themselves.
It seems that people are going to take 'Set-Jetting' even more seriously next year, as almost half of those surveyed said they were proactively researching or booking trips to destinations featured in productions that haven't even been released yet. Now that's what I call organisation.
For example, searches for Monaco also spiked by over 120% in the 30 days after it was confirmed that the sixth season of Netflix hit Emily in Paris was filming there.
Social mentions of heading to Miami have also spiked 64% year-over-year since the announcement of Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler's Miami Vice ’85 reboot was announced,
There's also been a growing appetite for Toronto and Montreal thanks to the hockey series Heated Rivalry, as well as Wellington in New Zealand ahead of next year's release of The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.
Topics: Travel, World News, Holiday
Olivia Burke