{"id":12645,"date":"2026-10-14T23:50:42","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T23:50:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/newsroom\/unpack-27-expedia-unveils-the-trends-driving-travel-in-2027-2-2\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T23:50:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T23:50:42","slug":"unpack-27-expedia-unveils-the-trends-driving-travel-in-2027-2-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/newsroom\/unpack-27-expedia-unveils-the-trends-driving-travel-in-2027-2-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Unpack &#8217;27: Expedia Unveils the Trends Driving Travel in 2027"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong><em>From carefree escapes\u00a0to screen-inspired travel,\u00a0travellers\u00a0in 2027\u00a0are choosing trips that feel more personal and purposeful\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5&nbsp;October&nbsp;2026,<\/strong>&nbsp;<strong>AUCKLAND&nbsp;<\/strong>\u2014&nbsp;Today,&nbsp;Expedia unveiled&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/unpack27?brandcid=EXPEDIA-NZ.COMMS.PR.UNPACK27.GENERIC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Unpack \u201927: The Trends in Travel\u2122<\/a>,&nbsp;the<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>annual&nbsp;global&nbsp;travel trends report&nbsp;that details the&nbsp;destinations&nbsp;and&nbsp;travel&nbsp;behaviours&nbsp;expected to shape the year ahead.&nbsp;Powered by a combination of first-party data,&nbsp;insights from&nbsp;a survey of&nbsp;26,000&nbsp;travellers, and social listening,&nbsp;Unpack&nbsp;\u201927 reveals&nbsp;emerging&nbsp;trends&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;from&nbsp;reclaiming child-like joy&nbsp;to&nbsp;the fastest-growing travel&nbsp;destinations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTravel is about creating&nbsp;memories and&nbsp;Unpack&nbsp;\u201927&nbsp;uncovers&nbsp;the destinations and experiences&nbsp;shaping&nbsp;those moments,\u201d said&nbsp;Ariane Gorin,&nbsp;CEO of Expedia Group.&nbsp;\u201cIn 2027,&nbsp;travellers&nbsp;are being more intentional in choosing their next adventure, seeking experiences that are more personal and purposeful to them.&nbsp;We\u2019re&nbsp;making it&nbsp;easier to&nbsp;discover, plan, and book the right trip, so&nbsp;travellers&nbsp;can spend less time managing the details and more time&nbsp;enjoying&nbsp;the moments that matter.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Expedia&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;The 2027 Set-Jetting Forecast&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Set-Jetting, travel inspired by TV shows and movies, is now an established travel&nbsp;behaviour.&nbsp;Five years after Expedia first named Set-Jetting as a travel trend,&nbsp;nearly 1&nbsp;in 5&nbsp;travellers&nbsp;now report having booked a trip to a destination after seeing it featured in a TV show or movie.<sup>5<\/sup>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2027, the films and shows that will drive the Set-Jetting trend are highly&nbsp;anticipated&nbsp;new seasons, sequels,&nbsp;and extensions of franchises and fandoms&nbsp;travellers&nbsp;love. The anticipation effect is real:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Nearly half&nbsp;of Kiwi&nbsp;travellers&nbsp;(46%)&nbsp;surveyed&nbsp;reported proactively researching or booking trips to destinations from upcoming TV shows and movies that&nbsp;haven\u2019t&nbsp;even been released yet, rising&nbsp;to 57% among Gen Z and Millennials.<sup>&nbsp;<\/sup><sup>1<\/sup>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>More than 25 years on, The Lord of the Rings&nbsp;remains&nbsp;the world&#8217;s No.1 top set-jetting driver (27%) over Emily and Paris&nbsp;(21%)&nbsp;and Yellowstone&nbsp;(18%).<sup>&nbsp;5<\/sup>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>With&nbsp;<em>The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum<\/em>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<em>The Legend of Zelda<\/em>&nbsp;set to hit screens next year, New Zealand is primed for a fresh wave of set-jetting demand.&nbsp;Wellington&nbsp;in particular has&nbsp;secured a spot among the world\u2019s top set-jetting destinations for 2027, ranking fifth globally.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>On social media, mentions of travelling to Miami increased by 64% year-over-year driven by the upcoming Miami Vice reboot.<sup>&nbsp;4<\/sup>5&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>From famous movie settings to TV show filming locations, the rise in film tourism and movie-inspired holidays is turning on-screen backdrops into next year&#8217;s must-visit spot.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td colspan=\"4\"><strong>2027 Set-Jetting Forecast<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Destination<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Inspired By<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Destination<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Inspired By<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Greece.d67.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Greece<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td><em>Emily in Paris<\/em>&nbsp;Season 6&nbsp;<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Wellington.d6127327.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wellington, New Zealand<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td><em>The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Destinations-In-Monaco.d120.Hotel-Destinations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Monaco<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td><em>Emily in Paris<\/em>&nbsp;Season 6&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;<em>Ocean\u2019s Eleven<\/em>&nbsp;prequel&nbsp;<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Miami.d178286.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Miami, U.S.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td><em>Miami Vice \u201985<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/French-Riviera-Hotels-Cheap-Hotels.0-0-d6023326-tCheapHotels.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cannes and Saint-Tropez, France<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td><em>The White Lotus<\/em>&nbsp;Season 4&nbsp;<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Seoul-Hotels.d178308.Travel-Guide-Hotels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Seoul, South Korea<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td><em>K-Pop: The Debut<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Lake-Michigan-Hotels.0-l6338716-0.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lake Michigan, U.S.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td><em>Beach Read<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Tenerife-Hotels.d6047194.Travel-Guide-Hotels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tenerife, Spain<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td><em>Day Drinker<\/em>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Toronto-Hotels.d178314.Travel-Guide-Hotels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Toronto<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Montreal-Hotels.d178288.Travel-Guide-Hotels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Montreal, Canada<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td><em>Heated Rivalry<\/em>&nbsp;Season 2&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>View the latest Set-Jetting destinations&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/unpack27\/set-jetting?brandcid=EXPEDIA-NZ.COMMS.PR.UNPACK27.GENERIC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Expedia \u2013&nbsp;2027 Destinations of the Year&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Expedia\u2019s 2027 Destinations&nbsp;of the Year list&nbsp;spotlights&nbsp;some of&nbsp;the fastest-growing&nbsp;travel destinations, based on real search data that&nbsp;identifies&nbsp;where&nbsp;traveller&nbsp;interest is&nbsp;surging.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To help encourage travel with care,&nbsp;six destinations also&nbsp;earned&nbsp;Expedia\u2019s Smart Travel Health Check&nbsp;for managing tourism responsibly while offering rich experiences. This&nbsp;Expedia&nbsp;framework&nbsp;was&nbsp;introduced&nbsp;with&nbsp;last&nbsp;year\u2019s&nbsp;Unpack&nbsp;\u201926 report&nbsp;and&nbsp;inspired by&nbsp;principles from the&nbsp;World Travel &amp; Tourism Council\u2019s&nbsp;(WTTC)&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/wttc.org\/destination-stewardship\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">report on&nbsp;actions for sustainable&nbsp;tourism management<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td colspan=\"3\"><strong>2027 Destinations of the Year<\/strong><strong><sup>3<\/sup><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Destination<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>% Search Increase<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Activities<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/South-Lake-Tahoe.d10150.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">South Lake Tahoe, California, U.S.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>+195%&nbsp;<\/td><td>Alpine adventure,&nbsp;crystal-clear&nbsp;waters, year-round mountain escape&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Hyogo-Prefecture.d6050638.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hyogo, Japan&nbsp;\u2713<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>+95%&nbsp;<\/td><td>Centuries-old heritage, healing hot springs, unforgettable coastal cuisine&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Punta-Del-Este.d2756.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Punta del Este, Uruguay<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>+65%&nbsp;<\/td><td>Chic coastal escape, golden beaches, laid-back&nbsp;glamour&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Sedona.d6054771.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sedona, Arizona, U.S.&nbsp;\u2713<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>+55%&nbsp;<\/td><td>Red-rock vistas, spiritual calm, adventure under endless blue skies&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Busan.d602043.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Busan, South Korea&nbsp;\u2713<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>+50%&nbsp;<\/td><td>Vibrant seaside city, buzzing markets, big-city energy&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Isla-Holbox.d6046459.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Holbox, Mexico<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>+45%&nbsp;<\/td><td>Barefoot beaches, bioluminescent waters, laid-back island ease&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Perugia.d2762.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Perugia, Italy&nbsp;\u2713<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>+35%&nbsp;<\/td><td>Medieval streets, storied art, unforgettable food&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/The-Tweed.d825683987221893120.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Tweed, New South Wales, Australia&nbsp;\u2713<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>+35%&nbsp;<\/td><td>Golden beaches, lush hinterland, relaxed coastal charm&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Niagara-On-The-Lake.d8957.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>+35%&nbsp;<\/td><td>Storybook streets, scenic vineyards, lakeside charm&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Chichester.d4600.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chichester, U.K.&nbsp;\u2713<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>+30%&nbsp;<\/td><td>History, creative culture, scenic countryside near the coast&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Explore the&nbsp;2027&nbsp;Destinations&nbsp;of the&nbsp;Year&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/unpack27\/destinations-of-the-year?brandcid=EXPEDIA-NZ.COMMS.PR.UNPACK27.GENERIC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Expedia&nbsp;\u2013 Un-Adulting&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Un-Adulting&nbsp;is&nbsp;grownup&nbsp;getaways full of kid-like activity.&nbsp;In 2027,&nbsp;Expedia data shows&nbsp;travellers&nbsp;are embracing Un-Adulting&nbsp;by&nbsp;swapping&nbsp;adult responsibilities&nbsp;for playful getaways that reawaken childlike joy. From theme parks to&nbsp;nostalgic&nbsp;activities, Un-Adulting trips&nbsp;are about wanting a carefree day (76%),&nbsp;a genuine break from responsibilities (61%), and want to relive childhood memories (39%).<sup>1<\/sup>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Demand for adults-only trips is growing:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>57% of&nbsp;Kiwi&nbsp;travellers&nbsp;say&nbsp;they&#8217;re&nbsp;likely to book an Un-Adulting trip in 2027,&nbsp;rising to&nbsp;81% of Gen Z and Millennials.<sup>1<\/sup>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Social media mentions of carefree, adult-only trips are up 41% year-over-year.<sup>3<\/sup>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Across the&nbsp;travel&nbsp;industry, more&nbsp;adults-only&nbsp;experiences are now available,&nbsp;from Walt Disney World\u2019s&nbsp;kid-free&nbsp;GEO-82 lounge at EPCOT and its late-night After-Hours events&nbsp;to Universal Studios Japan\u2019s adults-only Halloween Horror Nights overnight experience.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td colspan=\"4\"><strong>2027 Un-Adulting Experiences&nbsp;to&nbsp;Try<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Activity\/Destination<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Location<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Activity\/Destination<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><td><strong>Location<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/things-to-do\/tokyo-disneyland-entry-ticket-with-tokyo-subway-ticket.a49695276.activity-details?&amp;rid=6076430&amp;location=Tokyo+DisneySea%C2%AE%2C+Urayasu%2C+Chiba+Prefecture%2C+Japan&amp;startDate=2026-10-01&amp;endDate=2026-10-04&amp;sort=RECOMMENDED&amp;selectedId=&amp;swp=on\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tokyo Disneyland<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Tokyo, Japan&nbsp;<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/things-to-do\/universal-studios-hollywood-tickets.a346102.activity-details?\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Universal Studios Hollywood<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Los Angeles, U.S.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/things-to-do\/color-factory-chicago-ticket.a49191714.activity-details\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Colour Factory Chicago<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Chicago, U.S.&nbsp;<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/things-to-do\/zipline-to-the-falls-in-niagara-falls-canada.a686368.activity-details\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Niagara Falls Zipline<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Niagara Falls, Canada&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/things-to-do\/park-xcaret-admission-with-show-and-optional-transportation.a189689.activity-details?&amp;rid=6074370&amp;location=Xcaret+Eco+Theme+Park%2C+Playa+del+Carmen%2C+Quintana+Roo%2C+Mexico&amp;startDate=2026-10-01&amp;endDate=2026-10-04&amp;sort=RECOMMENDED&amp;selectedId=&amp;swp=on\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Park Xcaret<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Cancun, Mexico&nbsp;<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Green-Island-Hotels-Princess-Senses-The-Mangrove.h96229123.Hotel-Information\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Princess Senses The Mangrove Resort<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Green Island, Jamaica&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/things-to-do\/1-day-dreamworld-ticket.a50392460.activity-details?&amp;rid=180064&amp;location=Gold+Coast%2C+Queensland%2C+Australia&amp;startDate=2026-09-03&amp;endDate=2026-09-16&amp;sort=RECOMMENDED&amp;slimSearchKeyword=harry%20potter&amp;swp=on\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gold Coast: Dreamworld<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Gold Coast, Australia&nbsp;<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/things-to-do\/walt-disney-world-resort-theme-park-tickets.a181079.activity-details\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Walt Disney World Resort<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>Orlando, U.S.&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/things-to-do\/museum-of-ice-cream-nyc.a4120259.activity-details\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Museum of Ice Cream<\/a>&nbsp;<\/td><td>New York, U.S.&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><td>&nbsp;<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Discover more&nbsp;about&nbsp;Un-Adulting&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/unpack27\/un-adulting?brandcid=EXPEDIA-NZ.COMMS.PR.UNPACK27.GENERIC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>..&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more about the travel trends&nbsp;in Unpack \u201927, visit&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/unpack27?brandcid=EXPEDIA-NZ.COMMS.PR.UNPACK27.GENERIC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.expedia.co.nz\/unpack27.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Visit&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/newsroom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/newsroom\/<\/a>&nbsp;for Unpack \u201927 assets and more news from Expedia.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Notes to Editor<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Data Sources:<\/strong>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Third-party research was conducted by market research company&nbsp;OnePoll&nbsp;in accordance with&nbsp;the Market Research Society\u2019s code of conduct. The study was conducted online between 4&nbsp;August,&nbsp;2026,&nbsp;and&nbsp;17&nbsp;August,&nbsp;2026,&nbsp;among&nbsp;1,000 adult respondents across&nbsp;New Zealand, who are planning domestic or international travel in the next three years.\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Destinations of the Year:<\/strong>&nbsp;Based on increases in flight and accommodation searches on Expedia from&nbsp;1&nbsp;September,&nbsp;2025,&nbsp;to&nbsp;27&nbsp;July,&nbsp;2026,&nbsp;vs.&nbsp;1&nbsp;September 1, 2024,&nbsp;to&nbsp;27&nbsp;July,&nbsp;2025<strong>.&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>A checkmark&nbsp;denotes destinations that meet the Smart Travel Health Check framework, aligned with&nbsp;World Travel &amp; Tourism Council (WTTC)&nbsp;principles. The Smart Travel Health Check helps&nbsp;travellers&nbsp;identify&nbsp;destinations that offer rich cultural and natural experiences without the overcrowding seen in many of the world\u2019s most popular cities.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Un-Adulting:<\/strong>&nbsp;Social media data based on mentions of \u201cUn-Adulting,\u201d \u201ccarefree travel,\u201d and similar terms on X, Reddit, Instagram, TikTok,&nbsp;and Facebook from&nbsp;15&nbsp;April&nbsp;to&nbsp;30&nbsp;June,&nbsp;2026,&nbsp;versus the same period in 2025.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Set-Jetting:&nbsp;<\/strong>Social media data based on mentions of the shows\/films along with travel terms on online news outlets, blogs,&nbsp;and social channels including X, Reddit, Instagram, TikTok,&nbsp;and Facebook from&nbsp;1&nbsp;March,&nbsp;2026,&nbsp;to&nbsp;10&nbsp;June,&nbsp;2026,&nbsp;compared to the same period the previous year.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"5\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Third-party research was conducted by market research company&nbsp;OnePoll&nbsp;in accordance with&nbsp;the Market Research Society\u2019s code of conduct. The study was conducted online between 4&nbsp;August,&nbsp;2026, and 1&nbsp;September,&nbsp;2026, among 26,000 adult respondents across 16 countries, who are planning domestic or international travel in the next three years.\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About&nbsp;Unpack \u201927<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: What is Unpack \u201927?<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<br><strong>A:<\/strong>\u202f<em>Unpack \u201927<\/em>\u202fis&nbsp;Expedia Group\u2019s\u202f<strong>annual global travel insights report<\/strong>, built&nbsp;on years of trend forecasting and&nbsp;traveller&nbsp;behaviour&nbsp;analysis. It&nbsp;draws on\u202f<strong>first-party data<\/strong>\u202ffrom Expedia, along with insights from\u202f<strong>26,000&nbsp;travellers&nbsp;globally&nbsp;across 16 countries,&nbsp;<\/strong>making it one of the most comprehensive travel trend reports in the industry.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: What makes Unpack&nbsp;\u201927&nbsp;a credible source for travel trends?<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<br><strong>A:<\/strong>\u202fThe report combines\u202f<strong>real-time platform data<\/strong>\u202ffrom millions of users with\u202f<strong>third-party research<\/strong>\u202fconducted by&nbsp;OnePoll, following the Market Research Society\u2019s Code of Conduct. Its findings are backed by&nbsp;behavioural&nbsp;insights, booking patterns, and cultural signals, making it a trusted resource for media, industry leaders, and&nbsp;travellers&nbsp;alike.\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: What is the Smart Travel Health Check and how is it used in Unpack&nbsp;\u201927?<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<br><strong>A:<\/strong>\u202fExpedia\u2019s Smart Travel Health Check assesses destinations based on the World Travel and Tourism Council\u2019s (WTTC) six principles for sustainable tourism management. Destinations that meet&nbsp;these criteria&nbsp;are better equipped to manage tourism sustainably, protect local environments, and support communities<strong>.<\/strong>\u202fDestinations without a&nbsp;check mark&nbsp;may not yet meet or have measurable data for all six principles; however, they still offer rich travel experiences. Their inclusion reflects Expedia\u2019s commitment to&nbsp;showcasing&nbsp;a diverse range of\u202fdestinations while encouraging progress toward sustainable tourism. \u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: How are destinations evaluated for the Smart Travel Health Check?<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A:<\/strong>\u202fThe\u202f<strong>Smart Travel Health Check\u202f<\/strong>indicates&nbsp;that a destination has been assessed against six key principles to ensure\u202f<strong>responsible and resilient tourism<\/strong>. These include having stewardship bodies with legitimacy and funding, a shared vision with local communities, data-driven planning, smart monitoring systems, transparent reinvestment of tourism revenue, and meaningful empowerment of residents. Destinations that meet these criteria are better equipped to\u202f<strong>manage tourism sustainably, protect local environments, and support communities.\u202f<\/strong>To read more about WTTC\u2019s research,&nbsp;visit\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/researchhub.wttc.org\/product\/destination-stewardship-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">researchhub.wttc.org<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: What are&nbsp;the latest travel trends for 2027?<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<br><strong>A:<\/strong>\u202fThe&nbsp;Unpack \u201927&nbsp;report spotlights several major trends shaping travel in 2027:\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>2027 Destinations of the Year:&nbsp;<\/strong>destinations with the fastest-growing search interest&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Set-Jetting:<\/strong>\u202ftravel inspired by television shows and films&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Un-Adulting:<\/strong>\u202fplayful, carefree getaways for adults&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q:&nbsp;What&nbsp;destinations are trending for 2027?&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<br>A:&nbsp;The 2027 Destinations of the Year are&nbsp;Expedia\u2019s list of the fastest-growing&nbsp;travel locations based on&nbsp;flight and accommodation search interest from the millions of daily visits to the Expedia site and app.<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>The 2027 Destinations of the Year are:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/South-Lake-Tahoe.d10150.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">South Lake Tahoe, California, U.S.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Isla-Holbox.d6046459.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Holbox, Mexico<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Hyogo-Prefecture.d6050638.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hyogo, Japan<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Perugia.d2762.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Perugia, Italy<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Punta-Del-Este.d2756.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Punta del Este, Uruguay<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/The-Tweed.d825683987221893120.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Tweed, New South Wales, Australia<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Sedona.d6054771.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sedona, Arizona, U.S.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Niagara-On-The-Lake.d8957.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Busan.d602043.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Busan, South Korea<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Chichester.d4600.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chichester, U.K.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: What&nbsp;are&nbsp;the best adult-only&nbsp;holidays?&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<br>A:&nbsp;Adult-only&nbsp;holidays, or&nbsp;Un-Adulting&nbsp;as Expedia&nbsp;calls it, are&nbsp;trips&nbsp;built around playful getaways, like adults-only cruises and theme parks, that reawaken childlike joy, with one rule: zero obligations. The top&nbsp;Un-Adulting activities and destinations are:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/things-to-do\/tokyo-disneyland-entry-ticket-with-tokyo-subway-ticket.a49695276.activity-details?&amp;rid=6076430&amp;location=Tokyo+DisneySea%C2%AE%2C+Urayasu%2C+Chiba+Prefecture%2C+Japan&amp;startDate=2026-10-01&amp;endDate=2026-10-04&amp;sort=RECOMMENDED&amp;selectedId=&amp;swp=on\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tokyo Disneyland<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;Tokyo, Japan&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/things-to-do\/universal-studios-hollywood-tickets.a346102.activity-details?\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Universal Studios Hollywood<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014 Los Angeles, U.S.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/things-to-do\/color-factory-chicago-ticket.a49191714.activity-details\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Colour Factory Chicago<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014 Chicago, U.S.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/things-to-do\/park-xcaret-admission-with-show-and-optional-transportation.a189689.activity-details?&amp;rid=6074370&amp;location=Xcaret+Eco+Theme+Park%2C+Playa+del+Carmen%2C+Quintana+Roo%2C+Mexico&amp;startDate=2026-10-01&amp;endDate=2026-10-04&amp;sort=RECOMMENDED&amp;selectedId=&amp;swp=on\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Park Xcaret<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014 Cancun, Mexico&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Green-Island-Hotels-Princess-Senses-The-Mangrove.h96229123.Hotel-Information\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Princess Senses The Mangrove Resort<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014 Green Island, Jamaica&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Virgin-Voyages-Cruises.cVY.Cruise-Line-Info\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Virgin Voyages<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Miami.d178286.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Miami, U.S.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/things-to-do\/walt-disney-world-resort-theme-park-tickets.a181079.activity-details\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Walt Disney World Resort<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014 Orlando, U.S.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/things-to-do\/1-day-dreamworld-ticket.a50392460.activity-details?&amp;rid=180064&amp;location=Gold+Coast%2C+Queensland%2C+Australia&amp;startDate=2026-09-03&amp;endDate=2026-09-16&amp;sort=RECOMMENDED&amp;slimSearchKeyword=harry%20potter&amp;swp=on\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gold Coast: Dreamworld<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014 Gold Coast, Australia&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/things-to-do\/museum-of-ice-cream-nyc.a4120259.activity-details\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Museum of Ice Cream<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;New York, U.S.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: What is Set-Jetting?&nbsp;<\/strong>&nbsp;<br>A: Set-Jetting is&nbsp;travel&nbsp;inspired by TV shows and movies&nbsp;in which&nbsp;travellers&nbsp;visit&nbsp;destinations after seeing them on screen.&nbsp;Nearly 1&nbsp;in 5&nbsp;travellers&nbsp;globally have booked a trip this way.&nbsp;The top Set-Jetting locations are:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Greece.d67.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Greece<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;<em>Emily in Paris<\/em>&nbsp;Season 6&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Destinations-In-Monaco.d120.Hotel-Destinations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Monaco<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;<em>Emily in Paris<\/em>&nbsp;Season 6 &amp;&nbsp;<em>Ocean&#8217;s Eleven<\/em>&nbsp;prequel&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/French-Riviera-Hotels-Cheap-Hotels.0-0-d6023326-tCheapHotels.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cannes and Saint-Tropez, France<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;<em>The White Lotus<\/em>&nbsp;Season 4&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Toronto.d178314.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Toronto<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Montreal-Hotels.d178288.Travel-Guide-Hotels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Montreal, Canada<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;<em>Heated Rivalry<\/em>&nbsp;Season 2&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Wellington.d6127327.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wellington, New Zealand<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;<em>The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum<\/em>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Miami.d178286.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Miami, U.S.<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;<em>Miami Vice &#8217;85<\/em>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Seoul-Hotels.d178308.Travel-Guide-Hotels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Seoul, South Korea<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;<em>K-Pop: The Debut<\/em>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Lake-Michigan-Hotels.0-l6338716-0.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lake Michigan, U.S.<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;<em>Beach Read<\/em>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/Tenerife-Hotels.d6047194.Travel-Guide-Hotels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tenerife, Spain<\/a>&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;<em>Day Drinker<\/em>&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: Where&nbsp;can I access the full Unpack&nbsp;\u201927&nbsp;report and assets?<\/strong>\u202f&nbsp;<br><strong>A:<\/strong>\u202fVisit&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/newsroom\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.expedia.co.nz\/newsroom<\/a>&nbsp;for the full\u202fUnpack&nbsp;\u201927\u202freport, downloadable assets, and brand-specific insights from Expedia&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Assets can be seen <a href=\"https:\/\/expediacorp.sharepoint.com\/:f:\/s\/CommsInfluencerSocial\/IgCtBI1Bog9SQolbfKBgBd-xAUvy7l8Qa-c0uPdj7FMFcEk?e=rbk9Nb\">here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From carefree escapes\u00a0to screen-inspired travel,\u00a0travellers\u00a0in 2027\u00a0are choosing trips that feel more personal and purposeful\u00a0\u00a0 5&nbsp;October&nbsp;2026,&nbsp;AUCKLAND&nbsp;\u2014&nbsp;Today,&nbsp;Expedia unveiled&nbsp;Unpack \u201927: The Trends in&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":12588,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[138],"tags":[165],"companies":[73],"locations":[160],"class_list":["post-12645","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","tag-expedia","companies-expedia","locations-auckland","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12645","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12645"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12645\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12645"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12645"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12645"},{"taxonomy":"companies","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/companies?post=12645"},{"taxonomy":"locations","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.expedia.co.nz\/newsroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/locations?post=12645"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}