Expedia has revealed its 2027 Destinations of the Year as part of its annual Unpack ’27 travel trends report. The ranking is based on the biggest year-over-year increases in flight and hotel searches on Expedia, so it highlights places where interest is growing fastest rather than the world’s usual hot spots. From a California lake town to a car-free Mexican island, here are the 10 destinations to watch.
South Lake Tahoe, California
South Lake Tahoe tops the list after searches jumped 195%, nearly three times the growth of the next destination. The resort town on the lake’s southern shore offers skiing and snowboarding in winter, plus kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking and camping in the warmer months.
Hyogo, Japan
The second is in western Japan, in the prefecture of Hyogo with 95% increases in searches. It is home to Himeji Castle which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the port city of Kobe, renowned for beef and Arima Onsen, one of the oldest hot spring towns in Japan.
Punta del Este, Uruguay
Searches for Punta del Este rose 65%, placing it third. Uruguay’s best-known beach resort draws crowds during the South American summer with its sandy beaches, lively nightlife and famous hand sculpture rising out of the sand at Playa Brava.
Sedona, Arizona
Sedona ranks fourth with a 55% increase in searches. The town is encircled by spectacular red rock formations like Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock, and has quite a few hiking trails. It is also a dark sky community so it’s a wonderful place to stargaze.
Busan, South Korea
South Korea’s second-largest city ranks fifth, with a 50% rise in searches. Visitors come for Haeundae Beach, the colorful hillside homes of Gamcheon Culture Village and the bustling Jagalchi Fish Market, one of the country’s largest seafood markets.
Holbox, Mexico
Searches increased 45% on the island of Holbox, which is located on the northern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula. The island is car-free, with golf carts and bicycles used to get around. It’s famous for white sand beaches, turquoise water and seasonal whale shark swimming.
Perugia, Italy
Perugia, the capital of Umbria, is the top European pick at No. 7, with searches up 35%. The hilltop university city offers medieval streets and a quieter alternative to Italy’s busiest destinations. It also hosts the famous Umbria Jazz festival and the Eurochocolate festival.
The Tweed, Australia
Searches in the Tweed region (north NSW) also grew by 35%. Sitting just south of the Gold Coast in Queensland, it is a mixture of laid back seaside towns and a beautiful hinterland, rainforest and the dramatic Mount Warning (Wollumbin).
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada
In Ontario, the number of searches in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, rose 35% to be the number nine. The quaint town is the center of one of the finest Canadian wine producing areas, and is famous for its icewine. It also houses the Shaw Festival theater, and is only a short distance from Niagara Falls.
Chichester, England
Chichester in West Sussex rounds off the top of the list with a rise of 30% in searches. The cathedral, which was built in the 11th century, is a highlight of the historic market town. The Festival of Speed and Revival motorsport events take place at nearby Goodwood while the coast is also nearby.
