If you’re thinking about going on a vacation next year, we’ve got some spots for you to consider, and a couple aren’t that far from home.
Skyscanner revealed its top trending travel destinations for 2027, and two Canadian spots, both in British Columbia, made the cut.
The travel search engine and app recently released its 2027 Travel Trends report, combining its in-house data with insights from more than 28,000 travellers and global partners.
Despite the economic uncertainty felt across the world and consumer spending slowing down as a result, Canadians are still eager to get away. According to Skyscanner, 80 per cent of travellers plan to travel as much as, if not more, in 2027 than they did last year.
The biggest takeaway is that the top 10 most searched-for destinations are lesser-known spots, suggesting more people want to avoid large crowds and rising tourist fees in popular cities like Venice and Tokyo.
Cardiff, the capital of Wales, was crowned the top travel destination for 2027, after searches surged by a whopping 1,045.91 per cent year-over-year.
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The city is a great option for history buffs, boasting several impressive castles, including Cardiff Castle, Caerphilly Castle, and Raglan Castle.
It’s also a cool spot for music lovers, as it’s home to the oldest record store in the world. Spillers Records, located in the historic Morgan Arcade neighbourhood, was established all the way back in 1894, and it’s still open today.
Two national destinations cracked Skyscanner’s top 10 list, giving Canadians a couple of compelling reasons to travel domestically next year.
Penticton, B.C., was ranked the fifth most searched travel destination, with an impressive 137 per cent increase in searches year-over-year.
Located in the South Okanagan Valley, the city has become a popular destination for travellers looking for a mix of outdoor adventure, lakeside relaxation and wine-country experiences.
In the warmer months, visitors can spend their days lounging on the beach, swimming, kayaking, hiking, biking and even touring wineries and craft breweries. Once winter rolls around, visitors can enjoy skating, skiing and snowshoeing.
Penticton also gets around 304 days of sunshine a year, making it an appealing spot for those wanting a break from the harsh winters other provinces and territories are known for.
“It’s an easy domestic escape for Canadians looking to swap long-haul travel for unforgettable experiences closer to home,” Skyscanner writes.
Tofino, B.C., landed in 10th place, with searches climbing by 83 per cent compared with the previous year.
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The coastal village on the western edge of Vancouver Island is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, with seemingly endless inlets, beaches and forests to explore, whether by car, camper van, or RV.
“It’s the perfect place to slow down, reconnect with nature and enjoy a memorable summer getaway without leaving the country,” Skyscanner writes.
Tofino is catching the attention of plenty of international celebrities, too. Most recently, American model Bella Hadid documented her time in Tofino for her nearly 60 million Instagram followers.
Here are Skyscanner’s top 10 trending travel destinations for 2027:
- Cardiff, Wales
- St. George’s, Granada
- Tivat, Montenegro
- Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
- Penticton, Canada
- Salzburg, Austria
- Bergen, Norway
- Olbia, Italy
- Podgorica, Montenegro
- Tofino, Canada
You can read the full report on Skyscanner’s website.