Kenya and Georgia Emerge Alongside a Rising Travel Movement as 2027 Lesser-Known Escapes Challenge Overtourism
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A new wave of lesser-known destinations is emerging for 2027, as travellers increasingly seek quieter experiences and authentic local encounters. Intrepid Travel has identified ten destinations where tourism growth could support communities, conservation and regional economies without replicating the pressure seen in heavily visited hotspots. The list spans Kenya, Georgia, Jordan, Canada, Greece, Timor-Leste, Sri Lanka, Latvia, Chile and Sweden. It combines wildlife, mountain tourism, heritage, beaches, rail journeys and long-distance adventure. The timing also reflects changing traveller behaviour. Booking.com research found that 43% of global travellers plan to avoid overcrowded destinations, while 42% intend to travel outside peak season.
The destinations were selected using three criteria: lower visitor volumes, tourism readiness and developments creating new reasons to visit. Several also benefit from new transport links, cultural programmes or infrastructure investment. For travellers, that creates a useful distinction between simply finding somewhere obscure and choosing a destination with the capacity to welcome visitors responsibly.
Why Travellers Are Looking Beyond Famous Hotspots
The shift towards quieter destinations reflects a broader change in how travellers assess the value of a trip. Crowds, climate uncertainty, local impacts and the desire for deeper experiences are increasingly influencing destination decisions alongside price and attractions.
Booking.com’s 2026 Travel & Sustainability Report surveyed 32,500 travellers across 35 markets. It found that 85% consider sustainable travel important or very important. Meanwhile, 43% plan to avoid overcrowded destinations, an increase of 11 percentage points year on year. Another 42% intend to travel outside peak season.
The same research highlights a growing connection between sustainability and destination choice. Among travellers choosing quieter destinations, 44% cited a desire to avoid contributing to overtourism. Therefore, lesser-known regions are no longer simply alternatives for adventurous travellers. They are becoming part of a wider demand shift.
| Traveller behaviour in 2026 | Global share |
|---|---|
| Consider sustainable travel important or very important | 85% |
| Plan to avoid overcrowded destinations | 43% |
| Plan to travel outside peak season | 42% |
| Plan to seek cooler destinations | 25% |
| Experienced extreme weather or a natural disaster while travelling | 26% |
| Changed or cancelled plans because of extreme-weather risks | 31% |
For destinations, this creates an opportunity but also a responsibility. Increased demand can strengthen accommodation, transport and guiding businesses. However, unmanaged growth can eventually create the same pressures that pushed travellers elsewhere.
Ten Destinations With Fresh Reasons to Visit
The new 2027 lesser-known destinations span very different travel styles. Some offer alternatives to famous attractions, while others are becoming more accessible because of infrastructure or connectivity.
| Destination | Country | Main travel proposition | Key 2027 trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samburu National Reserve | Kenya | Wildlife and community conservation | Lower visitor pressure than major safari parks |
| Mestia | Georgia | Hiking, skiing and mountain culture | Expanding year-round tourism |
| Northern Highlands | Jordan | Heritage, forests and birdwatching | Diversification beyond Petra and Wadi Rum |
| Whitehorse | Canada | Arctic nature and Indigenous culture | Adventure and community-led tourism |
| Alonnisos | Greece | Marine tourism and diving | Protected waters and sustainability initiatives |
| Dili | Timor-Leste | Beaches, reefs and mountains | Improving international connectivity |
| Pekoe Trail | Sri Lanka | Hiking and village tourism | Community-led trail tourism |
| Liepāja | Latvia | Culture, beaches and music | European Capital of Culture 2027 |
| Carretera Austral | Chile | Patagonia road adventure | Major Route 7 investment |
| Dalsland | Sweden | Lakes, forests and outdoor recreation | Improved rail accessibility |
Intrepid says its local leaders and destination experts assessed the destinations for visitor levels, tourism readiness and new developments. The company has also introduced five new trips connected with several destinations on the list.
The strongest theme is diversification. Kenya offers an alternative safari landscape, while Jordan expands beyond its most recognisable archaeological and desert attractions. Chile similarly presents the Carretera Austral as another way to experience Patagonia.
Safari, Mountains and Community Tourism Stand Out
Samburu National Reserve provides one of the clearest examples of tourism redistribution. Intrepid says Samburu receives roughly one-tenth of the visitor numbers of the Maasai Mara, while offering wildlife experiences linked with local livelihoods and conservation. Travellers can encounter elephants, lions and other wildlife while spending within a community-based tourism economy.
Kenya’s wider tourism sector also has considerable momentum. Government data show international arrivals reached 2.42 million in financial year 2024/25, up from 1.65 million in 2022/23. Tourism earnings increased from KSh297.3 billion to KSh458.2 billion during the same period.
Georgia presents a different picture. The country recorded 7.8 million international non-resident traveller arrivals in 2025, up 5.9% year on year. Mestia therefore enters the list within a country that already attracts substantial international demand. Its proposition is more specific: shifting visitors towards the Caucasus mountains and supporting year-round tourism.
Jordan is also seeking broader geographic distribution. Official tourism data show the country attracted about 6.1 million visitors in 2024, generating around JOD5.1 billion in tourism income. By the first eight months of 2025, tourism income had reached approximately US$5.33 billion, with tourist numbers up 14.9% year on year.
The Northern Highlands can help extend that demand towards forests, Roman remains and locally owned accommodation. For travellers, this creates a route that combines heritage with nature rather than concentrating entirely on Petra and Wadi Rum.
Europe Offers Culture Without the Crowding
Two European entries demonstrate how cultural programming and transport can redirect tourism demand.
Liepāja will become the European Capital of Culture 2027, with the official programme beginning in January 2027. The city combines Baltic beaches, cultural heritage, music and historic sites. Its designation could provide a significant reason for travellers to explore Latvia beyond Riga.
Official Latvian statistics already show rising tourism demand. Accommodation establishments recorded 2.8 million visitors in 2025, up 4.5% from 2024. Foreign visitors accounted for 1.7 million arrivals, while foreign overnight stays reached 3.1 million, an 8.3% increase.
Yet the concentration remains striking. Riga accounted for 71.8% of foreign visitors staying in Latvian accommodation establishments in 2025. Liepāja accounted for just 2.8%. That gap illustrates why the 2027 cultural programme matters for regional tourism distribution.
Dalsland offers a different European proposition. Sweden’s lake district focuses on kayaking, hiking, cycling and camping. Improved rail accessibility could make the region more practical for travellers seeking nature without relying entirely on private vehicles.
For travellers, the comparison is useful. Liepāja suits culture-led city breaks and coastal travel. Dalsland suits outdoor itineraries and slower regional exploration.
Patagonia Investment Could Change Road Travel
Chile’s Carretera Austral is among the most significant infrastructure stories on the list. Route 7 stretches for roughly 1,240 kilometres through Chilean Patagonia, connecting landscapes of fjords, glaciers, forests and mountains.
The Chilean Ministry of Public Works has announced major investment under its Ruta Austral plan. The programme covers 244 kilometres and involves more than CLP800 billion in planned investment between 2026 and 2030. The government says annual investment will rise substantially compared with the historical average.
In August 2026, work began on a 16.2-kilometre section between Bahía Murta and Puente El Belga. That project carries an investment of about CLP70 billion and is intended to improve connectivity around Río Ibáñez and access to attractions including the Marble Caves.
| Carretera Austral development | Current figure |
|---|---|
| Approximate route length | 1,240 km |
| Ruta Austral plan | More than CLP800bn |
| Planned intervention | 244 km |
| Bahía Murta–Puente El Belga project | 16.2 km |
| Investment in that section | About CLP70bn |
| Wider programme period | 2026–2030 |
The practical effect will not simply be faster road travel. Better connectivity can expand access to smaller communities, improve logistics and encourage longer regional itineraries. However, travellers should still expect remote conditions and should not interpret infrastructure investment as a fully developed mass-tourism corridor.
What Travellers Should Know Before Booking
The appeal of these destinations partly comes from their lower visitor density. That also means travellers must prepare differently than they would for established tourism hubs.
| Destination | Best suited to | Planning consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Samburu | Safari and wildlife travellers | Local guides and conservation-focused operators add value |
| Mestia | Hikers and winter sports travellers | Mountain conditions can change rapidly |
| Northern Highlands | Heritage and nature travellers | Regional transport requires advance planning |
| Whitehorse | Adventure and nature travellers | Weather and seasonal daylight affect activities |
| Alonnisos | Diving and marine tourism | Protected-area rules apply |
| Dili | Beach and adventure travellers | Connectivity remains more limited |
| Pekoe Trail | Long-distance hikers | Plan accommodation along the trail |
| Liepāja | Culture and coastal breaks | 2027 events may increase demand |
| Carretera Austral | Road-trip travellers | Distances are long and conditions can remain remote |
| Dalsland | Outdoor and slow travellers | Rail-based itineraries need advance planning |
The central lesson is straightforward. Less visited does not automatically mean easier. Travellers should check seasonal weather, transport schedules, accommodation availability, park regulations and local access conditions before departure.
Sustainable travel also requires spending decisions. Locally owned guesthouses, guides, restaurants and transport providers can keep more tourism revenue within destination economies. That matters particularly in emerging markets where tourism infrastructure remains comparatively small.
New Connectivity Is Reshaping Destination Choice
Connectivity appears repeatedly across the list. Timor-Leste, for example, is seeking to develop a tourism industry based on beaches, reefs, mountains and cultural experiences. Intrepid highlights new flight connections involving Darwin and Kuala Lumpur as improving access to Dili.
Timor-Leste’s economic data also underline why tourism matters. The government reported that travel and tourism services were expected to generate about US$109.6 million in exports in 2025. It identified infrastructure and connectivity as areas requiring further improvement.
Sri Lanka’s Pekoe Trail provides another model. The approximately 300-kilometre hill-country route connects villages, waterfalls, tea landscapes and cultural sites. Its community-led approach encourages visitors to spend beyond traditional resort centres. Intrepid also points to improved connectivity and tourism policy as factors supporting the trail’s future appeal.
Alonnisos offers a marine alternative within Greece. Its protected waters and underwater archaeological attraction create a different proposition from Greece’s busiest islands. For travellers, the attraction lies not merely in avoiding crowds, but in combining nature, conservation and specialist experiences.
Tourism Growth Needs Capacity, Not Just Promotion
The 2027 list highlights an important industry question: how much additional tourism can a destination absorb?
A successful emerging destination needs accommodation, roads, airports, guides, waste management, water supply and conservation systems. It also needs local communities to receive tangible benefits from visitor spending.
That makes tourism readiness one of the most important elements of Intrepid’s selection criteria. A destination can be relatively unknown yet still unsuitable for rapid visitor growth. Conversely, targeted infrastructure investment can prepare smaller regions for carefully managed expansion.
The evidence from Latvia illustrates this tension. National accommodation arrivals increased 4.5% in 2025, yet foreign visitors remained heavily concentrated in Riga. Liepāja’s 2027 cultural role could help redistribute demand, provided accommodation and transport capacity develop alongside promotion.
The same principle applies to Chile. Large infrastructure investment can improve access, but greater accessibility may eventually increase pressure on fragile Patagonian ecosystems. Destination managers therefore face the task of matching marketing with carrying capacity.
Intrepid’s General Manager of Experiences, Erica Kritikides, said in September 2026 that tourism requires destinations and travellers to rethink how and where they travel. She said the list aims to help visitors discover places where their spending can contribute to local communities and economies.
What This Means for 2027 Trip Planning
For travellers, the emerging destination movement offers more than a way to escape crowds. It opens routes into regions where cultural encounters, outdoor recreation and local businesses can become the centre of the journey.
The strongest opportunities are destinations with a clear reason to visit now. Liepāja has a major cultural calendar. Carretera Austral has substantial connectivity investment. Mestia is developing as a year-round mountain destination. Dili is gaining air access, while the Pekoe Trail provides a structured route through Sri Lanka’s hill country.
Travellers should nevertheless resist treating these places as the next mass-market hotspots. Their appeal depends partly on scale, authenticity and environmental quality. Booking earlier can help secure accommodation and transport, but responsible choices should remain central to the itinerary.
The broader travel market is already moving towards quieter destinations, off-peak travel and experiences with stronger local connections. For 2027, that could make destinations once considered peripheral increasingly relevant to mainstream travel planning.
