Intrepid Travel has revealed ten lesser-visited destinations that it believes are ready to welcome more tourists in 2027. Its annual Not Hot List includes places in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas, with Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve occupying first place. The name does not suggest that the locations are unattractive or unsuitable for a holiday. Instead, it identifies places where additional tourism could support communities, conservation and local businesses.
The list was created with travel forecasting company Globetrender and draws on information from local guides, tourism boards and Intrepid teams in 35 countries. Destinations had to receive fewer visitors than comparable places and possess enough infrastructure to accommodate growth. New flights, railway links, tourism projects and cultural events were also considered. The report is not a scientific ranking, but combines available data with local knowledge and editorial judgement. “If we want tourism to continue to be a force for good, we need to constantly rethink how and where we travel,” Intrepid’s general manager of experiences Erica Kritikides said.
Samburu National Reserve leads the list as a quieter alternative to Kenya’s Maasai Mara. It receives around 30,000 to 40,000 visitors annually, roughly one-tenth of the Maasai Mara’s total. Travellers can search for the “Samburu Special Five”, which include Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx and gerenuk. Community-led tourism also helps fund conservation and local services. Second-placed Mestia is a Georgian mountain town surrounded by the traditional villages and medieval defensive towers of UNESCO-listed Upper Svaneti. Improved access and tourism investment are positioning the area as a year-round base for hiking and skiing.
@mandy.hrr Underrated & Unforgettable: Why Samburu National Park Is Kenya’s Best-Kept Secret ✨ Far from the crowds, Samburu offers an exclusive safari with rare wildlife like the elegant gerenuk, Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe, Somali ostrich, and Beisa oryx – the “Samburu Special Five.” Add elephants, leopards, and striking desert scenery, and you’ve got a truly wild adventure. 🐆🐘🦁🦓 #SamburuNationalPark #HiddenGemKenya #SafariSecrets #SpecialFive #UntamedAfrica #WildlifeWonder #BucketListTravel #SaveThisPost #AfricanAdventure #TravelInspo #Safari #Kenya #Kenyasafari #kenia ♬ sonido original – KiaraMarBalto
Jordan’s Northern Highlands occupy third place and show a greener side of a country usually associated with Petra and Wadi Rum. The region combines Roman remains, forest reserves and mountain paths. Whitehorse in Canada’s Yukon follows in fourth place, with northern lights, hiking and winter activities among its attractions. A new Arctic tourism initiative is developing community-led cultural, wildlife and adventure experiences. Guided activities can also introduce visitors to the history and traditions of Yukon First Nations.
Alonnisos in Greece takes fifth place after welcoming about 70,000 visitors in 2024, compared with approximately 500,000 on nearby Skiathos. The island lies within Europe’s largest marine protected area, which provides an important habitat for the endangered Mediterranean monk seal. Visitors can also explore the Peristera shipwreck, presented as Greece’s first underwater museum. Investments in recycling, desalination, renewable energy and biowaste management are intended to support more sustainable development.
Dili in Timor-Leste occupies sixth place as new air connections make one of Southeast Asia’s least-visited countries easier to reach. The capital provides access to reefs, beaches and mountains, while its Tais Market showcases the country’s traditional woven cloth. Sri Lanka’s Pekoe Trail follows in seventh place. The 300-kilometre route has 22 stages crossing tea estates, forests and rural communities. Tourism spending can reach local guides, farmers, cafés, craftspeople and guesthouses along the way.
Liepāja, Latvia, is eighth and will host more than 500 events as a European Capital of Culture in 2027. Its Baltic beach, musical heritage and former military district offer reasons to travel beyond Riga. Chile’s Carretera Austral takes ninth place and runs for 1,240 kilometres through the fjords, glaciers and forests of northern Patagonia. Dalsland completes the list with lakes, forests, kayaking, cycling and wild camping. A direct Malmö–Oslo railway service introduced in 2026 has made the Swedish region easier to access. It received around 320,000 visitors in 2025, compared with almost 16 million for Stockholm.
@katiesaway Just came back from the most amazing weekend in Dalsland! We were gifted two nights stay at Nordic Refuge and spent the weekend hiking, swimming, cycling and just enjoying the Swedish summer! Here are all the places we visited: • Håverud and the aquaduct • Fröskogs Kyrka • Vandra i Ronjaland – hiking the trail to see where the film Ronja Röversdotter was shot • Not Quite • Sörknatten Naturreservat • Ärrsjön If you want our full itinerary you can find it on my blog (links in bio) #dalsland #sverige #visitsweden #sverigetiktok #resaisverige #dalsland💞 #svensksommar ♬ Makeba – Jain
Promoting overlooked places can, however, raise fears that tourism pressure will simply be moved to a new destination. “The real test is whether tourism can grow without overwhelming local communities, ecosystems and infrastructure,” Globetrender founder Jenny Southan said. Previous editions have already brought greater attention to featured regions. Intrepid said its Pakistan bookings rose by 67% after Gilgit-Baltistan appeared on an earlier list, while bookings to Kyrgyzstan increased by 62%. The company has introduced five new itineraries connected to the 2027 selection, covering Kenya, Canada, Sri Lanka, Jordan and Georgia.
