European destinations and emerging global hotspots are drawing affluent travellers and holidaymakers seeking quieter alternatives, cultural events, and off-the-beaten-path experiences for 2027, according to a flurry of new industry reports.
Expedia and Fora Identify Trending Travel Destinations
Online travel platform Expedia and travel agency Fora both released their hot lists and annual trend reports detailing where travellers are headed in the coming months. Expedia’s Unpack ’27 report identifies destinations seeing a surge in year-over-year search interest based on flight and lodging searches, topped by South Lake Tahoe, California, which registered a nearly 200% jump in searches.
Fora’s fifth annual Hot List introduces a Taste Index weighing booking growth, advisor feedback, luxury hotel openings, and new U.S. nonstop routes. China claimed the top spot on Fora’s list, with hotel reservations made by U.S.-based advisors nearly tripling year over year, rising 184%.
It combines ancient culture, futuristic cities, spectacular landscapes, and an increasingly impressive hotel scene
Flavia Bottura, Fora advisor
Other top trending destinations identified in Expedia’s ranking include Hyogo Prefecture in Japan, Punta del Este in Uruguay, Sedona in Arizona, and Busan in South Korea. Punta del Este saw a 65% increase in travel interest, while Busan experienced a 50% bump in year-over-year search interest.
Additional locations featured on Expedia’s list range from Holbox in Mexico and Perugia in Italy to The Tweed in Australia, Niagara-on-the-Lake in Canada, and Chichester in the United Kingdom.
Expedia representatives said that travelers are increasingly heading to locations where they can participate in multiple activities during a single getaway, comparing the behavior to sports tourism trends. Experts also highlighted concepts such as trip-snacking—involving quick weekend or special occasion one-night trips supported by accessible airlift—and set-jetting, which involves visiting locations where books, movies, or television shows are filmed or set.
European Destinations Gain Traction
Europe features heavily across predictions from Expedia and euronews Travel, with quieter alternatives gaining traction among affluent couples. Perugia in Italy saw searches rise 35% on Expedia, while Chichester in the UK recorded a 30% increase. Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel list features 25 destinations worldwide. Five locations are in Europe, including the Veneto region in Italy and the cross-border Öresund region anchored by Malmö in southern Sweden and Copenhagen across the bridge.
Fora’s booking data revealed significant growth for European nations on its list. Malta bookings rose 129%, Slovenia rose 152%, and Finland rose 138%. Malta’s tourism profile has been boosted by screen appearances, including Ridley Scott rebuilding ancient Rome there for Gladiator II and Christopher Nolan filming parts of The Odyssey.
Slovenia accessibility will expand in May when United Airlines launches its first nonstop flight from Newark Liberty International to Ljubljana, giving visitors convenient access to the capital, Julian Alps hiking, and Goriška Brda wine tasting. Meanwhile, booking trends indicate that affluent couples are increasingly seeking out quieter destinations such as Ischia, Puglia, Provence, Burgundy, and the Dolomites instead of traditional capitals.
Eclipse Shapes 2027 Itineraries
Major astronomical and cultural events are shaping 2027 itineraries well in advance. Egypt bookings rose 140% on Fora’s list, driven in part by a total solar eclipse crossing Luxor on August 2, 2027. Booking platforms and prediction reports also emphasize a consumer shift toward fantasy-inspired travel, paranormal experiences, and mystical places, with booking platforms reporting high interest in supernatural encounters and ethereal locations.
“Hobbies get us into our bodies and into flow states in a way that modern, commercialised wellness perhaps never could,” said Bina.
“Deepfake AI, bosses sending ChatGPT nonsense to their teams, misleading packaging – we are surrounded by the uncanny and the unreal. Connection is scarce, and in high demand,” said Bina.
The opportunity to experience a total solar eclipse in Luxor, alongside ancient temples and the Nile, adds an extraordinary reason to visit
Jelena Kaplan, Fora advisor
Specialist voyages will bring travellers and astronomers together for the celestial event. Mandarin Oriental plans to relaunch the Winter Palace in Luxor and the Old Cataract in Aswan in July ahead of the eclipse. In Spain, cities including Cádiz, Marbella, and Málaga are expected to see increased popularity due to the same total eclipse in August.
