‘Tis the season. No, not that season – there are still 11 weeks until Christmas. Not Halloween, either, or even Gilmore Girls-rewatch time.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
We’re of course referring to the glorious season when all the industry trends reports are released, and the latest travel company to share its predictions is Expedia Group.
Pulling on insights from Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo, as well as a survey of 26,000 travellers across 16 countries, plus social media data, Unpack ’27 has identified five key travel trends.
“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, travellers are being more intentional in choosing their next adventure, seeking experiences that are more personal and purposeful to them.”
According to Expedia Group, indulging your inner child will be the move in 2027, with travellers swapping the mundane facets of day-to-day life for playful getaways involving theme parks, water parks or other nostalgic activities.
Some 57% of travellers say they will book a so-called “un-adulting” trip in 2027, rising to 71% among Gen Z and Millennials.
Top options for embracing the trend? Disneyland Tokyo, Colour Factory Chicago and Park Xcaret in Mexico.
This year was all about “snackpacking”, aka trying crisps, chocolate and other supermarket treats, but in 2027, we’ll be embracing “trip snacking”.
Meant to satisfy a different type of appetite, trip snacking involves quick, spontaneous getaways that can ease the break between longer, less-frequent trips.
Some 79% of travellers are planning to book a one-night stay in the next year, with searches for one-night stays up 10% on Hotels.com.
Wuthering Heights hit screens in 2026, bringing with it a revival in appreciation for all things Gothic.
Some 56% of travellers have booked hotels specifically for the atmosphere or aesthetic, with 65% of these interested in booking a Gothic-style hotel, whether that be a historic castle or a destination steeped in folklore or the supernatural.
The numbers speak for themselves: The “Gothic Getaways” trend has seen a 20% increase year-on-year in demand for castles, according to Hotels.com.
“Skillcations” were a big trend in 2026, and that is set to continue in 2027 with “hobby hubs” – travellers specifically booking holiday homes for crafting weekends, photography retreats, mahjong game nights and antique-hunting breaks.
Last but not least, “heartland hideouts”, aka hidden gem destinations that are landlocked, are on the rise, too.