It’s the season when travel companies start to reveal their predictions for the following year, and now Skyscanner has launched its 2027 Travel Trends report.
Pairing global search insights and research from more than 28,000 travellers, the report uses data from the likes of TikTok, ClassPass, Wise, Universal Music Group for Brands, and AllTrails.
Among the new trends for 2027 is history-focussed travel, which follows on from a trend which has already seen significant traction this year thanks, in no small part, to The Odyssey, Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster adaptation of Homer’s epic poem.
Skyscanner has called this particular trend “Grand Odysseys”, and suggests that its popularity is down to travellers trying to escape a fast-paced world. They’re seeking out history which offers context and grounds them in timeless human stories.
Next year will see tourists following sacred walking trails, exploring legendary ruins and turning to the past to enrich their often overwhelming present.
Skyscanner’s research found that cinematic releases have been driving real-world bookings, with films and TV shows including The Odyssey and Gladiator proving particularly inspiring.
Data from TikTok backs this up, too, showing that video views for cinematic travel content are up +346% year on year, while posts featuring #HeroJourney are up some +452%.
The Odyssey reportedly prompted a third of people to plan a trip inspired by the epic, and the data shows that almost half – 43% – of Millennials have been inspired by films and TV set in antiquity, from Troy to the tales of Ancient Greece.
And 24% of them have taken it further and travelled in the footsteps of ancient stories, a figure which rises to 30% among Gen Z.
The top historic hikes for 2027
Among Skyscanner’s partners for the report was the app AllTrails, which revealed its top five walking trails to experience historical travel on foot in 2027.
In first place is Corfu’s Cape Drastis Loop. The popular route on the Greek island is said to be ancient author Homer’s mythical land of Phaeacia, where a shipwrecked Odysseus shared the story of his epic 10-year journey home.
Next up was the route between Horcones Viewpoint, Horcones Lagoon and Espejo Lagoon in Argentina. Walkers can experience shimmering glacial lakes as they walk in the shadow of Mount Aconcagua, South America’s highest peak.
In third place was China’s Xi’an City Wall. Here, visitors can stroll along impressive Ming Dynasty walls where ancient gateways, sweeping views and centuries of history unfold below.
In fourth is Monte Santa Caterina in Favignana, Italy. Adventurous travellers can climb to Favignana’s highest point, which is home to a historic castle with a rich history linked to the island, long associated with Odysseus’ legendary voyage.
Finally, Rizes Cave, or the Cave of Eumaeus, in Ithaca, Greece continues The Odyssey theme. Here, walkers will pass through olive groves above the Ionian before arriving at a cave where Odysseus sought refuge after returning home in the epic tale.
“It’s grounding to visit a trail and realise you’re seeing the same rugged peaks, ancient forests, and horizons that travellers did thousands of years ago,” said Shelby Eagleburger, head of data integrity at AllTrails.
“Historic routes remind us that exploring the outdoors is a universal human experience, and it connects us across generations. How we travel evolves, but the pull of natural landscapes stays the same.”
Skyscanner’s top trends for 2027
Grand Odysseys is one of seven trends featured in the Skyscanner report, all of which show a shift in traveller behaviour.
The prediction trends also include “Signal Severance”, which is linked to the fact that one in four Gen Z travellers plan to disconnect in 2027.
Many of us are craving a less connected world and are seeking out remote travel spots, or places where it’s possible to switch off entirely.
Skyscanner found that digital detox spots in Finland, including Kittilä and Rovaniemi, are seeing rising demand.
Most of us like to bring back a keepsake from a trip – whose fridge isn’t covered in magnets? But for 2027, Skyscanner believes that the best souvenirs are the ones you have to travel for, with travellers increasingly building itineraries around unique regional apparel, artisanal crafts and location-exclusive items.
One in four travellers have taken a trip specifically for items they couldn’t buy online, including the vastly popular Trader Joe’s tote from the United States and merchandise from the Ritz Paris.
Weddings and travel often go hand-in-hand and, increasingly, couples are choosing to move away from gendered celebrations and are embracing the “sten do”, a combination of stag and hen parties. The report shows that 25% of travellers are opting for these combined celebrations abroad as they’re more fun, less expensive and easier to organise.
If you’re into fitness and wellbeing, you may already be an aficionado of the gym-cation, but it’s set to be a huge trend in 2027.
The report found that 67% of millennials are more likely to book a hotel which serves a nutritious breakfast, and 40% of Gen Z travellers said they prioritise hotels with gyms. TikTok data also showed a +659% year-on-year increase in video views for “Gym Hotel” content.
Increasingly, many travellers are opting to base a trip around seeing live music and experiencing unusual events.
Cultural immersion is a priority as traditional carnivals rank highly for both Gen Z (33%) and Millennials (30%), while 25% of those surveyed said the setting of a concert is almost as important as the set list, with fans hoping for gigs held in the likes of ancient caves or pyramids.
Finally, the “currency chasers” trend is set to be huge in 2027. Those keen to save cash are plumping for destinations where they can take advantage of positive foreign exchange rates.
According to the data, 45% of Gen Z and 40% of Millennial travellers have switched destinations to get more bang for their buck. Vietnam is a particularly popular choice for this trend, as the currency means tourists can spend relatively little while making the most of the beautiful Asian nation.