According to Booking.com, vacationers will be searching for surprises as we enter the new year. That’s the conclusion the brand came to in its 2027 Travel Predictions report where it surveyed 28,000 people across 32 countries and territories to determine the trending behaviors shaping the way people plan to travel next year. Representing the 11th edition of the company’s “Travel Predictions,” Booking.com says the 2027 report points to a shared desire among respondents to go “off script,” something that may result in more trips inspired by mood, budget and welcoming the unexpected.
“Reimagine your usual travel style,” said Booking.com. “That’s our takeaway after hearing from thousands of travelers around the world. While last year’s predictions prioritized hyper-personalized travel plans, next year jet-setters are looking to take a more genuine approach to their travel habits.”
The online travel platform says vacationers are prepared to “ditch tradition and embrace change,” a sentiment that’s certainly reflected in the types of trips they’re planning, the most popular of which Booking.com has identified via nine unique trends (with quirky names to match): “Plot Twist Trip”; “Social Currency”; “Vibe Check(In)”; “The All-Exclusive”; “Trip to the Beyond”; “PTO: Powered by AI”; “Hotel in the Sky”; “Sweat Synergy”; and “Trailside Therapy.”
Booking.com’s 2027 Travel Predictions
Want to learn more? Let’s take a closer look at each trend below.
Plot Twist Trip
Described by Booking.com as “channel self-disruption,” the Plot Twist Trip is all about breaking free from one’s typical travel style to lean into the unknown. These types of vacationers are ditching algorithms and social conversations in favor of trying something new. Two-thirds (67%) of survey respondents said they were interested in this style of trip, stating they want their next getaway to surprise them, or their travel companions, in some way.
Recommended Destination: Booking.com recommends Christchurch, New Zealand, for the Plot Twist Trip traveler as the destination’s hiking itineraries and remote landscapes make it easy to get away from the grind.
Social Currency
If you’re keen to avoid butting heads with fellow travelers due to unmatched spending habits, you’re not alone. According to Booking.com, more vacationers are leaving big spenders off the travel guest list, instead opting to invite “that frugal friend who knows all the affordable spots or traveling without family members who you’d normally feel obligated to invite, to save some extra money.” Survey results found this trend is especially prominent among Gen Z, with 62% of respondents in the demographic saying they’ve had disagreements about finances while on vacation. 27% of Boomers also agreed.
Recommended Destination: Booking.com recommends Bratislava, Slovakia, for the Social Currency traveler as the destination has something to offer visitors of every budget.
Vibe Check(In)
Sometimes it’s all about the vibe, and travelers are preparing to tap into their feelings in the new year with 81% of respondents saying they’d “rather pick a vacation destination based on how they want to feel, rather than where they want to go,” said Booking.com. What’s more, 76% of travelers said they’re open to experimenting with search tools and filters to curate a personalized “mood-cation,” and 61% of respondents said they’d share data about their feelings to help a travel advisor or provider plan a trip.
Recommended Destination: Booking.com recommends Monterey, California, for the Vibe Check(In) traveler, as its coastal location allows for slow days by the sea one moment and trailside adventures the next.
The All-Exclusive
67% of travelers told Booking.com that at least one health or lifestyle change is influencing their choice of vacation destination and how they travel. That’s where The All-Exclusive trend comes in, the term Booking.com is using as a catch-all to define people’s increased interest in finding food and drink offerings that align with their personal fitness goals wherever they go. The study indicated 23% of respondents are seeking low- or no-alcohol drink alternatives, while 35% are on the hunt for high-protein meals that align with their health-conscious lifestyle.
Recommended Destination: Booking.com recommends Pescara, Italy, for The All-Exclusive traveler for its simple, yet delicious culinary offerings that can be tailored to fit most dietary preferences.
Trip To the Beyond
Travel can be transformative, and Booking.com’s “Trip to the Beyond” trend encapsulates the triumphant feeling of overcoming something that previously held you back. According to the 2027 Travel Predictions report, 65% of global travelers said they’re open to trips that evoke fear with 23% saying they’re interested in admiring Gothic architecture, 22% saying they want to visit horror movie locations and 20% saying they’re interested in destinations connected to true crime cases.
Recommended Destination: Booking.com recommends Rosario, Argentina, to Trip to the Beyond travelers for its abundance of Gothic architecture and haunted locales.
PTO: Powered by AI
Love it or hate it, it seems you can’t get away from conversations centered around artificial intelligence (AI). The tech has changed the way some people perform day-to-day tasks, and Booking.com found this bled into the way some respondents are choosing to vacation, as 24% of employed travelers said they’d use AI to cover tasks like keeping up with emails and to-do lists while away from home.
Recommended Destination: Booking.com recommends Sendi, Japan, for PTO: Powered by AI travelers, as the destination is a leader in all things technology while also offering a nice balance of natural landscapes when visitors want to unplug.
Hotel In the Sky
Vacation begins at the airport, and, in 2027, many travelers are looking to feel more relaxed starting the moment they board the plane. From opting “yes” to upgraded seating and in-flight amenities to selecting simple add-ons that make a difference like pre-ordered meals on board and on-flight information and entertainment, Booking.com found travelers are seeking easy ways to improve their flying experience in the new year.
Recommended Destination: Booking.com recommends Puri, India, for Hotel In the Sky travelers, as the destination boasts no shortage of opportunities for wellness with its rich spiritual traditions and sacred sites.
Sweat Synergy
If you’ve hiked, biked, ran, swam or participated in literally any other type of physical activity while on vacation, you’re in good company as Booking.com found 81% of travelers have taken an active trip of some form. And while the simple task of staying active may seem innocuous, 66% of respondents said they found community through things like marathon running, spin classes and jogging in a new destination, forming a lasting connection with others. Looking forward, 31% of survey takers said they plan to enjoy nature on their next trip, while 23% said they plan to keep up with their fitness routine in some shape or form.
Recommended Destination: Booking.com recommends Goiânia, Brazil, for Sweat Synergy travelers, as its striking balance of abundant green spaces and vibrant city life make for the perfect backdrop for active days.
Trailside Therapy
For couples, vacation can be a way to reconnect, and Booking.com says people will turn to travel to tackle “tricky conversations, audit their relationship, and return home stronger than they left” in 2027. 47% of survey respondents who travel with their partner said they’re considering planning a trip to resolve conflicts, and 38% said they enjoy spending time in nature, making The Great Outdoors an ideal backdrop for important conversations as, “the physical journey is just as important as the emotional one,” according to Booking.com.
Recommended Destination: Booking.com says Asunción, Paraguay, is great for reconnecting with loved ones, as its “alluring mix of bustling city life with natural landscapes and unhurried charm” make it easy to drop your guard and speak from the heart.
Want even more deets? Click here to read Booking.com’s full 2027 Travel Predictions report.
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