Skip the destinations already drowning in tourist crowds. Intrepid Travel has released its “Not Hot List 2027,” a ranking of travel destinations predicted to become the next big thing for travelers heading into next year.
In this ranking compiled by Intrepid Travel, the “Not Hot List” features 10 destinations considered relatively undervisited so far, yet fully prepared to welcome a growing number of tourists.
Several of these destinations are also expected to gain new infrastructure or host major events in 2027.
According to Metro UK, reported Thursday, September 17, 2026, the destinations on this list span multiple corners of the globe, ranging from Samburu National Reserve in Kenya, Mestia in Georgia, and the Northern Highlands in Jordan, all the way to Whitehorse in Canada.
Samburu National Reserve Takes the Top Spot
Samburu National Reserve tops the list. This Kenyan nature reserve offers a noticeably quieter safari experience compared to the heavily visited Maasai Mara.
The area is also home to the “Samburu Special Five”, the reticulated giraffe, Grevy’s zebra, Somali ostrich, East African oryx, and gerenuk, a lineup of species rarely seen together outside this specific region.
Adventure, Nature, and Culture Across the List
For outdoor enthusiasts, Mestia in Georgia offers a compelling option for hiking and skiing across the Svaneti mountain range. Meanwhile, the Northern Highlands in Jordan offer green landscapes, forests, and nature reserves that stay relatively far from the usual tourist crowds.
In North America, Whitehorse in Canada’s Yukon territory made the list as an adventure destination, where travelers can also learn about First Nations culture in the region.
Over in Europe, Alonnisos in Greece stands out as home to the Mediterranean monk seal, located within Europe’s largest marine conservation area. Alonnisos can only be reached by ferry or private yacht, keeping visitor numbers naturally limited.
From Southeast Asia, Dili in Timor-Leste made the list following the expansion of direct international flights from Kuala Lumpur and Darwin. Sri Lanka also earned a spot through its Pekoe Trail, a 300-kilometer hiking route winding through tea plantations, forests, and countryside villages.
The Full List: Intrepid Travel’s “Not Hot List” 2027
- Samburu National Reserve, Kenya
- Mestia, Georgia
- Northern Highlands, Jordan
- Whitehorse, Canada
- Alonnisos, Greece
- Dili, Timor-Leste
- Pekoe Trail, Sri Lanka
- Liepaja, Latvia
- Carretera Austral, Chile
- Dalsland, Sweden
Why This List Is Worth Paying Attention To
If you’re the type of traveler who’d rather beat the crowds than fight through them, this list is a genuinely useful starting point for planning 2027 travel. Destinations like Alonnisos and Samburu offer a rare combination of natural beauty and low visitor density, while emerging spots like Dili are becoming easier to reach thanks to new flight routes, meaning the window to experience these places before they inevitably get busier is exactly now.
