On 14 October 2026, Booking.com published its annual travel predictions. This year’s report is based on a survey of more than 28,000 people from 32 countries who plan to travel for business or leisure in the next 12–24 months. The conclusion is clear: travel is no longer about following a set routine. More and more, it’s a way of expressing who we are.
Below, we look at the 9 trends Booking.com expects for 2027. For each one, we’ve added what it could mean for your property and how you can act on it with IdoBooking.
Plot Twist Trip: travelling out of character
77% of respondents want to choose a holiday where they do something completely out of character. 36% want to surprise friends and family with their choice of destination. 29% have deleted or never posted about a holiday they felt was too predictable.
What this means for you: an unusual location, original interior design or a local experience is now a strong selling point. Make sure it stands out in your listing description and photos.
With IdoBooking: an unusual property sells best where you can showcase it in full. A website with a content editor and a booking engine lets you tell its story on your own terms.
Social Currency: money and group travel
50% of respondents have reconsidered who to invite on a trip because of differences in budget. 51% have experienced tension while travelling due to different expectations about money. On top of that, 61% of parents would like to travel without their children so they can spend more on themselves.
What this means for you: transparent pricing, clear payment terms and adults-only offers can convince groups and couples to book.
Vibe Check(In): choosing a destination by mood
81% would choose a destination based on how they want to feel there. 76% would use a tool that recommends destinations based on mood. Among Gen Z, as many as 76% would share data from wearables or their phone in exchange for personalisation, compared with 35% of boomers.
What this means for you: don’t just describe the size and amenities, describe the atmosphere too. For example: peace and quiet, a reset, an active weekend, a romantic getaway.
With IdoBooking: you can run a blog on your property website directly from the panel. It’s a great place for content about atmosphere that will attract guests who choose where to go based on mood, such as “a weekend to reset” or “an active mountain break”.
The All-Exclusive: a package made to measure
67% of respondents say a change related to their health, body or lifestyle has influenced their holiday choices. 66% want packages that let them remove services they don’t need. 58% would choose accommodation or a destination based on their diet.
What this means for you: instead of a rigid all-inclusive package, offer flexible add-ons such as breakfast, late check-out or cleaning on request.
With IdoBooking: instead of one rigid offer, create several stay packages for different guest needs. Reports will show you which ones sell best.
Trip to the Beyond: journeys into the unknown
65% of respondents are interested in experiences related to the paranormal, and 48% would look for a trip that lets them “connect” with someone who has passed away. Half (50%) are curious about travel that explores death, the afterlife and spirituality. More and more people see travel as a chance to slow down, reflect and experience something they can’t in everyday life. What matters is the atmosphere of a place, its history and the emotions it evokes.
What this means for you: you don’t need a castle with a resident ghost to benefit from this trend. All it takes is telling the story of what you already have:
- The building’s history. An old townhouse, manor, mill or pre-war villa has its own past. Who lived there, what happened there, how has the place changed? A few paragraphs in your listing description and some old photos can build atmosphere better than a list of amenities.
- Local legends and mysteries. Almost every area has its own folklore, ruins, abandoned places or historic cemeteries. Gather them in a guest guide or a post on your property’s blog.
- Partnering with local guides. Night tours, legend walks or a trip to a nearby sanctuary are attractions you can recommend to guests or bundle with a stay.
- Peace and quiet. For some guests, a “journey into the unknown” simply means time to reflect. If your property is away from the hustle and bustle, on the edge of a forest or under dark, starry skies, highlight it in your listing.
It’s important to stay measured and authentic. Tell real stories and real legends, without making promises you can’t keep.
Webinar: Short-term rentals 2027. Which tools should you implement before the season?
Trends are one thing, but in 2027 guests will also expect fast replies, flexible pricing and smooth check-in. On 27 October 2026 at 14:00 (CET), together with experts from ChatLab, PriceLabs and Sharelock, we’ll show you how to put the following into practice:
- 24/7 guest communication with an AI agent,
- dynamic pricing that adapts to demand and season,
- a self-service property with IoT devices,
- one booking system for Booking.com, Airbnb and your own website.
The webinar is free and you don’t need to be an IdoBooking customer. Everyone who registers will receive the recording.
PTO: Powered by AI, or holidays without an inbox
58% enjoy the last day of their holiday less because they’re already thinking about work, and 38% take their laptop with them. 64% would gladly let AI handle their duties while they’re away, and 43% would let it manage their emails and admin.
What this means for you: guests are increasingly familiar with AI and automation, and they now expect the same from properties. Fast replies around the clock are no longer an extra, they’re the standard.
With IdoBooking: the Communication Hub brings messages from Booking.com, Airbnb and direct channels into a single inbox. Automated messages go out in six languages, and you can answer the most common questions with ready-made templates. At our webinar on 27 October, together with ChatLab, we’ll show you how to add an AI agent that answers guests 24/7.
Hotel in the Sky: arriving rested
89% would take a long-haul flight if it guaranteed they would arrive rested. Passengers would most appreciate food and drinks that support sleep, lighting that reduces jet lag, and skincare kits.
What this means for you: after a long journey, guests will appreciate flexible check-in, self check-in at any hour and good conditions for sleep.
With IdoBooking: with self check-in, the system automatically sends each guest an individual access code and arrival instructions by text message and email. After an overnight flight, guests can walk straight into the apartment without waiting for keys. IdoBooking works with locks including TTLock, SetPin, RentingLock and PINMaster.
Sweat Synergy: sport as a way to make new connections
Sport is increasingly becoming the reason for a trip rather than just an add-on to a holiday. According to Booking.com, 66% of solo travellers say a shared physical activity or challenge turned into a lasting connection or friendship. 55% of respondents would happily join a community of like-minded athletes or travellers, and 52% of solo travellers are interested in trips to sporting events. This means marathons, triathlons, cycling races, trail runs and ski competitions attract more than just the athletes. Their friends, supporters, entire clubs and training groups come too, and the event becomes an occasion to meet up and spend time together.
What this means for you: if sporting events take place in your area or it offers great conditions for outdoor activity, you can attract a whole new group of guests. A few ideas:
- Event calendar. Check which races, competitions and sporting events take place within a few dozen kilometres. These are dates when demand for accommodation rises, often months in advance.
- Amenities for active guests. Lockable storage for bikes or skis, a place to dry gear, early breakfast before the start, late check-out after the race, a washing machine. If you have them, say so clearly in your listing.
- Group offers. Clubs and training groups look for accommodation for several or a dozen people at once. Several apartments close to each other or a house with multiple bedrooms is ideal for them.
- Local routes and partners. Prepare a list of running and cycling routes and trails in the area. You can also partner with race organisers, equipment rental shops or a local sports club.
- Offers for solo travellers. Since many people travel to events on their own, it’s worth offering smaller units or pricing tailored to one person.
With IdoBooking: dynamic pricing, integrated with PriceLabs or proRMS, automatically raises your rates when local demand grows, for example during a marathon or competition. You don’t have to track the event calendar manually. In the marketing module you can create a “race stay” package or a discount code for race participants or club members, and the channel manager prevents overbooking during busy periods.
Trailside Therapy: conversations on the trail
Travel is increasingly becoming a way to repair relationships. According to Booking.com, 47% of respondents would consider a trip to resolve a conflict or disagreement with someone close to them. As many as 81% say at least one holiday activity helps them have honest or difficult conversations. Walking and hiking together prove the most effective, chosen by 35% of respondents. Away from daily duties, phones and routine, it’s easier to slow down and talk. Movement, nature and the absence of pressure make room for conversations there’s no time or courage for at home. Such a trip might be for a couple, siblings, parents with adult children, or friends who want to reconnect.
What this means for you: if your property encourages quiet time and togetherness, make that clear. A few ideas:
- Walking routes and trails. Prepare a list of routes in the area with their length, difficulty and walking time. Short loops that don’t require planning a whole day are especially useful.
- Space to talk. A terrace, garden, fireplace, bench with a view or a fire pit are all worth showing in photos and describing in your listing.
- Peace and quiet. If your property is away from busy roads and crowds, highlight it. For these guests, tranquillity matters more than being close to attractions.
- Small touches. A thermos and blanket to take out, a local map in the apartment, the option to order a picnic basket. They cost little, and guests remember gestures like these.
- Offers for shared getaways. A “weekend for two” package or a stay for a family with adult children helps you reach guests looking for time just for themselves.
With IdoBooking: in the Communication Hub you can set up an automated pre-arrival message that sends guests a list of routes and recommended places nearby. You can also publish a trail guide on your property website and create an offer for shared getaways as a stay package.
Summary
Paul Hennessy, CMO of Booking.com, sums up the report like this: travel is becoming less about following a formula and more about expressing who we are. All nine trends share one thing: in 2027, guests aren’t simply looking for a bed for a few nights. They’re looking for a place that fits their mood, lifestyle, budget and the purpose of their trip, whether that’s adventure, rest, a sporting event or an important conversation with someone close.
For hosts, that’s good news. You don’t have to compete on price alone. The winners will be those who tell their property’s story better and tailor their offer to specific groups of guests. Three key takeaways emerge from the report:
- Personalisation instead of a one-size-fits-all offer. Guests want to choose based on mood, lifestyle and needs. Describe the atmosphere, the history of the place and the surrounding area, and instead of one rigid package, create several offers for different groups: couples, families, athletes, people looking for peace and quiet.
- Flexibility and transparency. Clear payment terms, optional add-ons, flexible check-in and check-out. Guests want to pay for what they’ll actually use, and know it upfront.
- Automating routine guest service. Guests are increasingly using AI themselves and expect fast replies at any time of day. Automated messages, self check-in and dynamic pricing let you serve them efficiently, leaving you time for what can’t be automated: building a truly special place.
Where to start before the 2027 season?
- Review your listing description and photos. Do they show the atmosphere and what makes your property stand out?
- Check the calendar of local events for 2027 and plan your pricing for periods of high demand.
- Create two or three stay packages for specific groups of guests.
- Gather information about the area in one place: routes, legends, attractions, local partners.
- Automate communication and check-in so guests get answers and instructions without waiting.
With IdoBooking, you can do all of this in one system. The channel manager syncs Booking.com, Airbnb and other channels, the website with a booking engine lets you sell directly, and online payments, self check-in, the Communication Hub and dynamic pricing take care of repetitive tasks.
Want to get your property ready for the 2027 season? Join our free webinar on 27 October at 14:00 (CET). Together with experts from ChatLab, PriceLabs and Sharelock, we’ll show you step by step how to implement tools that respond to these trends. You can also try IdoBooking for 30 days.
Source: Booking.com, 2027 Travel Predictions, online survey conducted in July and August 2026 among 28,230 adults across 32 countries and territories.