Travelers are expected to break from traditional travel planning in 2027, according to new research from Booking.com. The company's 11th annual Travel Predictions report found that travelers are prioritizing emotional fulfillment, unexpected experiences and carefully selected travel companions over conventional itineraries.

Based on a survey of more than 28,000 travelers across 32 countries and territories, the findings suggest that travel decisions are increasingly driven by personal expression, lifestyle preferences and technology-enabled convenience.

Among the key findings, 77 percent of global travelers are interested in taking a vacation that is completely out of character, while 36 percent want to surprise friends and family with their travel choices. Half of respondents said they have reconsidered who to invite on a trip because of differences in spending habits, and 61 percent of parents expressed interest in traveling without children so they can spend more on themselves.

The report also found growing interest in emotionally driven travel planning. Eighty-one percent of respondents said they would choose a destination based on how they want to feel rather than where they want to go, while 76 percent would use a tool that recommends destinations based on their mood or emotional state.

Booking.com identified nine travel trends expected to shape 2027.

1. Travelers are increasingly seeking experiences that challenge expectations and reflect a desire for personal reinvention. Seventy-seven percent of respondents expressed interest in taking a vacation that feels out of character, while 36 percent said they want their travel choices to surprise others.
2. Budget considerations are becoming a significant factor in group travel decisions. Fifty percent of travelers said they have reconsidered inviting someone on a trip because of spending differences, and 38 percent reported removing someone from a travel group entirely due to financial disagreements.
3. Emotional well-being is influencing destination selection. More than four in five travelers said they would prioritize how a destination makes them feel over the destination itself.
4. Travelers are seeking more flexible packages that align with changing health, wellness and dietary preferences. Sixty-six percent said they want travel packages that allow them to remove services they do not expect to use, while 58 percent would let dietary needs influence their choice of destination or accommodations.
5. Interest in paranormal and spiritually oriented travel experiences continues to increase. Sixty-five percent of travelers expressed interest in paranormal experiences, and nearly half said they would consider experiences designed to facilitate contact with someone on the "other side."
6. Artificial intelligence is expected to play a larger role in supporting travelers during vacations. Sixty-four percent of respondents said they would be interested in having AI manage work-related responsibilities while they are away, and 43 percent would allow AI to handle email and administrative tasks.
7. Travelers increasingly view flights as an extension of the vacation experience. Eighty-nine percent said they would take a long-haul flight if it meant arriving rested and refreshed, with many seeking wellness-focused onboard amenities and services.
8. Travelers are using fitness and sporting activities to build social connections. Among those who have traveled alone, 66 percent said participating in a shared physical challenge led to a lasting friendship or connection.
9. Couples are increasingly using travel as an opportunity for meaningful conversations and relationship growth. Forty-seven percent said they would consider taking a trip to work through conflicts, while 81 percent said at least one vacation activity helps facilitate honest or difficult discussions.

"Travel is becoming less about following a formula and more about expressing who you are," Paul Hennessy, chief marketing officer at Booking.com, said in a statement.

"Travelers are challenging the conventions of how, why and with whom we travel, and technology is giving them more freedom to do it with confidence. At Booking.com, we're actively building for the future of travel by combining AI with deeper personalization to tailor every step of the journey to individual intent and emotion, making it easier for everyone to experience the world on their own terms," Hennessy said in a statement.