Every fall, the big names in travel start releasing their predictions for the year ahead. Hilton, Expedia, Skyscanner and the largest travel advisor networks all weigh in on where we’ll go and how we’ll want to travel.
I’ll admit it. As someone who is a little Type A, I read every one of them.
This year, a theme kept coming up. Travelers aren’t chasing the picture-perfect vacation anymore. They want trips that feel personal, restful and worth the time away. Honestly, that sounds like exactly the right direction to me.
Here are the trends that caught my attention for 2027, and what I think they could mean for your next journey.
Traveling Solo, But Not Always Alone
Hilton’s newest trends report found that 41% of travelers plan to take a solo trip in the next year. What I found interesting is that many of them don’t stay solo the whole time. About a third meet up with friends or family somewhere along the way.
I love that idea. You get to choose the destination, the pace and the experiences that matter to you, and still share part of the journey with people you care about.
A small-group tour or a river cruise can be a wonderful fit for this kind of trip. You have built-in company at dinner and on excursions, without giving up your independence.
One I’d love to show you: Cosmos is waiving the single supplement on select 2027 Europe tours, so solo travelers can enjoy a guided tour without paying extra for a room of their own. Space at that rate is limited, so this is one to ask about early.
Trips That Help You Reset
More travelers are choosing trips that help them slow down and recharge. In Hilton’s survey, 76% said they travel to recharge mentally and physically, and 79% said fresh air and time outdoors are vital.
That doesn’t always mean a long vacation, either. Hotels.com reports that searches for one-night stays are up nearly 10%, as people fit shorter getaways between the bigger trips.
To me, the key is pace. A thoughtfully planned itinerary leaves room to linger over lunch, take a walk without watching the clock, or simply enjoy the view. It’s one of the reasons I wrote about end-of-season travel recently. Dan and I sailed the Mediterranean last October, and the cooler temperatures and calmer atmosphere made the whole journey feel more relaxed.
River Cruising Keeps Growing
This one makes me especially happy. River cruising continues to grow, and not only on the Rhine and Danube. TravelPulse recently reported that new river destinations around the world are attracting both cruise lines and travelers.
Travel advisors are seeing it, too. In a recent Travel Leaders Network survey of top-producing advisors, 90% said they expect river cruise sales to increase in 2027.
After completing my AmaWaterways certification, I understand the appeal even more. You unpack once, wake up somewhere new and spend your days exploring towns that larger ships simply can’t reach.
One I’d love to show you: AmaWaterways’ Enticing Douro is a 7-night roundtrip from Porto through Portugal’s terraced vineyard country, with a stop in Spain along the way. Some sailings are themed around wine, which makes it a great fit for the next trend, too.
Planning Around a Passion
For many travelers, the trip now starts with an interest rather than a destination. Vrbo found that 68% of travelers are likely to take a hobby-focused trip in 2027.
That might mean wine, history, cooking, gardens, golf or photography. When a journey is built around something you already love, it tends to become the trip you talk about for years.
Those are also some of my favorite trips to plan, because the itinerary begins with the traveler rather than a checklist of places to see.
Discovering the Road Less Traveled
The famous destinations will always have their place, but travelers are also looking a little farther off the beaten path. Vrbo saw search interest jump for places like Bentonville, Arkansas and Deadwood, South Dakota. Expedia’s fastest-growing destinations for 2027 include South Lake Tahoe, Sedona and Hyogo, Japan.
Smaller cities and lesser-known regions often mean fewer crowds, a more authentic feel and sometimes better value. Some of the most memorable places are the ones you didn’t expect.
Trusting a Real Person
Even with AI planning tools everywhere, travelers still want advice from people. Hilton found that 70% of travelers trust hotel staff as a travel planning resource. The same report found that 54% feel pressure to make every trip perfect.
I understand that pressure. When you’ve waited a long time for a trip, you want every detail to be right.
That’s where I come in. As I’ve said before, to me, luxury means creating the best possible travel experience for you. Part of that is taking the research, comparisons and details off your plate, so you can simply look forward to going.