Traveling to buy an unobtainable tote bag, booking a hotel based on the gym, or flying to the other side of the world for a concert inside a cave. No, this isn’t a new TikTok challenge, but some of Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2027, revealing the destinations that will land on wish lists and how travel will change.
But what are the travel trends of 2027 according to Skyscanner? Let’s find out together.
Digital Detox
No more notifications, emails, and doomscrolling under the umbrella. In 2027 the real flex could be to disappear from the radar, at least for a few days. 29% of Gen Z wants to disconnect as much as possible during holidays, rediscovering the joy of living without a screen that is always on. And even searches for destinations confirm this trend: Sal, in Cape Verde, records a +339%, while Mersa Matruh, in Egypt, grows by 182%. Beaches, slow rhythms and zero Instagram anxiety. And because not everything needs to end up on Instagram to be memorable.
Merch Hunting
According to Skyscanner, 43% of Italians travel specifically to purchase hard-to-find products online, including local garments, cult accessories, and limited editions. TikTok fuels the fever: views of the hashtag #TraderJoesTote have increased by 1,928% in a year. The new travel obsession? Returning home with something that no one else has.
Group Travel
The classic weekend among close friends or significant others is losing appeal. Couples increasingly prefer to celebrate together, bringing their respective groups into a single trip. The reasons are fairly practical: 32% choose shared celebrations because they’re more fun, 28% because they’re easier to organize, and 25% to save money. Fewer mandatory rituals, more collective experiences. And perhaps a vacation that doesn’t require three separate WhatsApp chats to be organized.
Modern Odysseys
Cinematic aesthetics spill off the screen and become the itinerary. Temples, ruins, ancient paths and epic landscapes captivate those seeking a vacation with a story to tell. 34% of travelers say they have been inspired by films and series such as Gladiator and The Odyssey to plan a departure. On TikTok, views of content dedicated to cinematic travel have risen by 346%, while #HeroJourney rockets by +452%. Because, sometimes, the perfect destination is the one that makes you feel like you’re inside a movie.
Gym-cation
For some vacations mean skipping every workout. For others, finding a gym with a skyline view is part of the experience. A striking 38% of Gen Z regards the presence of a gym as a priority when choosing a hotel, while 65% of Millennials prefer facilities with nutritious breakfasts. Bangkok, Mumbai, New York, Phuket and Seoul lead the searches for hotels with gyms on Skyscanner. Meanwhile, on TikTok, videos devoted to these facilities show a +659% rise. The workout, in short, officially enters the itinerary.
Sound Connected
You don’t necessarily need sold-out stadiums or mega-festivals like the Oasis-loving crowds. Musical tourism is increasingly looking at local scenes, traditional carnivals and unusual venues. 33% of travelers prefer musical events staged in unusual places, between volcanoes, pyramids and ancient caves. Carnivals win over Gen Z (41%) and Millennials (40%) especially. The point isn’t just listening to music, but experiencing something that would be hard to replicate elsewhere. Far from the usual travel playlist.
Budget Hunter
In 2027 being travel smart also means checking exchange rates before booking. 30% of travelers have already shifted destinations to take advantage of more favorable rates, a share that rises to 36% for Gen Z and 38% for Millennials. Among the destinations to watch is Vietnam, whose searches have risen 25% year over year according to Skyscanner data. Save money, yes, but without sacrificing the trip.
The destinations to watch in 2027
Not only new ways to travel. Skyscanner’s report also identifies destinations that are drawing more attention and those where flying is cheaper.
Sal Island, in Cape Verde, takes the top spot among emerging destinations, with a 339% increase in searches versus the previous year. White beaches, turquoise sea and a pace far removed from daily frenzy: basically the dream for those who want to switch everything off. Among growing destinations is also Mersa Matruh, Egypt, with +182%. On the affordability front, the name to note is Lemnos, Greece, where flight prices tracked by Skyscanner fell 61% year over year. Golden dunes, volcanic landscapes and a less mainstream vibe than the more famous Greek islands.
