Expedia just dropped its Unpack '27 report, and the top of the list is not Paris, Rome, or Tokyo. A California resort town leads, after a 195% jump in searches. If you're planning 2027 trips (or hunting for your next work-from-anywhere base), here's what the data says and how to use it.
Per Ynetnews, which reported on the ranking, Expedia based the list on year-over-year search growth for flights and lodging. That matters: this is about where people are looking, not a verdict on where is best. Still, it's a useful early signal for where interest, and eventually prices and crowds, may head.
The four destinations I can confirm from the report are below.
1. South Lake Tahoe, California (+195%)
The breakout star. A 195% rise in searches is far ahead of everything else on the list.
Why it fits the bigger trend: Expedia's data points to travelers leaning toward nature-driven trips over classic city-break capitals. Tahoe is a lake-and-mountain destination, so it slots right into that shift.
Best for: people who want outdoorsy time without leaving the US.
Do this: if Tahoe is on your radar, look at flights and lodging sooner rather than later. When search interest spikes, availability tends to follow, though that's my read rather than something the report states.
2. Hyogo Prefecture, Japan (+95%)
Japan stays hot, but the growth here is outside the usual Tokyo-and-Kyoto loop. Hyogo Prefecture is up 95% in searches.
That fits the "been-there" fatigue the report describes. Plenty of travelers have done the greatest hits and are now looking for somewhere that still feels distinctive.
Best for: repeat Japan visitors, or first-timers who want to add something less obvious to the standard route.
Do this: if you're building a Japan trip, search the region by name and price it against a Tokyo-only plan to see how it changes your itinerary.
3. Punta del Este, Uruguay (+65%)
Uruguay's coastal resort town of Punta del Este saw searches climb 65%. It's the only South American spot among the four confirmed here, and a reminder that the trend isn't limited to North America and Asia.
Best for: travelers who want a beach-and-resort destination that isn't the usual suspect.
Do this: check flight options early, since a rising destination can mean shifting routes and prices.
4. Sedona, Arizona (+55%)
Sedona is up 55%. Expedia's report ties the broader trend to appetite for outdoor escapes and wellness travel, and Sedona is a natural match for both.
Best for: people who want a reset trip: hiking, scenery, slower days.
Do this: if you work remotely, a few quiet weeks somewhere like this can make a good break from city life. Confirm your lodging has reliable wifi before you book.
What the list says about 2027
The pattern is more useful than any single name. Reportedly, travelers are looking for alternatives to heavy-hitters like Paris, London, Rome, Barcelona, and Tokyo amid overtourism concerns and that "been-there" feeling. They want places that feel distinctive without being totally remote.
My take: the sweet spot is shrinking the gap between "epic" and "easy." Tahoe, Sedona, and Punta del Este are all destinations where the draw is the setting, not a checklist of landmarks.
How to use this without chasing hype
- Swap, don't scrap. If a classic city is on your list, pair it with a lesser-known region nearby, as Hyogo does for Japan.
- Book early on the big risers. Search surges can signal more competition for stays.
- Match the place to your travel style. Mountain lake, desert wellness, or beach town: pick the vibe first, then the destination.
- Treat the numbers as a signal. Search growth shows interest, not quality.
The takeaway: pick one rising destination from this list, price it for 2027 now, and compare it with your usual bucket-list choice. You may find the less obvious trip is the one you actually want.
