South Lake Tahoe has emerged as the travel destination gaining the most momentum for 2027, according to Expedia, as travellers look beyond familiar hotspots towards places offering nature, culture, and year-round appeal.
The California resort city topped Expedia’s annual Destinations of the Year ranking after searches rose 195% compared with 2025. The list forms part of the company’s Unpack ’27 travel trends report, drawing on booking data and a survey of 26,000 travellers.
Set beside North America’s largest alpine lake, South Lake Tahoe has a broad seasonal offer: skiing and snowboarding in winter, then boating, kayaking, paddleboarding and hiking when temperatures rise. Popular routes include the roughly 16-km climb to Mount Tallac and the shorter Eagle Falls Trail, suitable for dogwalkers, while lakeside paths from Regan Beach provide a more accessible way to take in the water and mountain scenery.
New hospitality investment is also adding to the destination’s profile. Caesars Republic Lake Tahoe has undergone a renovation and stages outdoor concerts in summer, while Montauk-based Gurney’s plans to open a South Lake Tahoe property in 2027 with lakeview rooms and suites. Visitors seeking fewer crowds may consider going either side of peak season, when trails, viewpoints and local businesses can be easier to enjoy.
Asia and South America feature prominently among the other fast-rising choices. Hyogo, the Japanese prefecture west of Osaka and home to Kobe, placed second after a 95% increase in searches. Expedia also highlighted it through its Smart Travel Health Check, an initiative introduced to recognise destinations that combine rewarding visitor experiences with responsible tourism management. Uruguay’s coastal resort of Punta del Este ranked third, up 65%, followed by Sedona in Arizona and Busan on South Korea’s southeast coast.
The remainder of the top 10 underlines the geographical spread of demand from Holbox in Mexico, to Perugia in Italy, the Tweed region of New South Wales, Niagara-on-the-Lake in Canada, and Chichester in southern England. Europe secured only two entries. Perugia, Umbria’s historic hilltop capital, host to jazz and chocolate festivals, saw searches rise 35%. Chichester, known for Roman heritage and access to the South Downs, West Wittering Beach, and Arundel Castle, recorded a 30% increase.
Expedia Group chief executive Ariane Gorin said travellers in 2027 were becoming “more intentional” and looking for adventures that felt “more personal and purposeful”. The ranking suggests that this intention does not point to one type of trip: alpine recreation, coastal breaks, festivals, wellness, and heritage all appear in the mix. The practical takeaway is to watch rising destinations early, compare seasons and book with local capacity in mind as interest builds.
South Lake Tahoe’s result is the standout, and alongside Sedona, Arizona, represents a win for a US travel sector that has suffered in recent years under Trump’s foreign policy decisions. The wider list points to demand for destinations that can reward longer stays and varied interests rather than a single headline attraction. That may help disperse travellers across regions and seasons, although rapid growth will also increase scrutiny of infrastructure and tourism management.
