Weeks after being named in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2027, The Tweed has been recognised by Expedia as one of its Top 10 Destinations for 2027 across the globe.

It was also the only Australian destination to make the list.

Expedia's Destinations of the Year list showcases some of 2027's fastest-growing travel destinations, using real search data to track where traveller interest is climbing.

Top 10 for 2027

  • South Lake Tahoe, California (+195 per cent)
  • Hyogo, Japan (+95 per cent)
  • Punta del Este, Uruguay (+65 per cent)
  • Sedona, Arizona (+55 per cent)
  • Busan, South Korea(+50 per cent)
  • Holbox, Mexico (+45 per cent)
  • Perugia, Italy (+35 per cent)
  • The Tweed, NSW, Australia (+35 per cent)
  • Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada (+35 per cent)
  • Chichester, United Kingdom (+30 per cent)

Alongside being named one of the world's must-visit destinations, The Tweed also received Expedia's Smart Travel Health Check, recognising destinations that deliver exceptional visitor experiences while taking a thoughtful approach to responsible tourism.

The Tweed’s Visitor Economy Lead Clinton Farlow said: “To receive this recognition from Expedia, following closely behind our inclusion in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027, is a powerful endorsement of our destination and the experiences available across the region.”

Expedia also unveiled Unpack ’27: The Trends in Travel, its annual report exploring the destinations, experiences and behaviours expected to shape travel in 2027.

The report draws on first-party insight from Expedia and Stayz, as well as global traveller research and social listening.

Expedia Group CEO Ariane Gorin said: “Travel is about creating memories and Unpack ’27 uncovers the destinations and experiences shaping those moments.

“In 2027, travellers are being more intentional in choosing their next adventure, seeking experiences that are more personal and purposeful to them.”

The four top trends are:

Un-Adulting—Travellers are reclaiming child-like joy with getaways built around play, spontaneity and zero obligations. With Expedia data showing 50 per cent of Australian travellers are likely to book an Un-Adulting trip in 2027, theme park events just for grown-ups, immersive attractions, and nostalgic experiences are becoming the ingredients for a genuine break from being an adult.

Un-Adulting trips are about wanting a carefree day (67 per cent), a genuine break from responsibilities (56 per cent), and want to relive childhood memories (40 per cent).

Set-Jetting—Five years after Expedia Group first named Set-Jetting as a travel trend, screen-inspired travel continues to turn fictional worlds and filming locations into real-world itineraries.

Nearly one in five travellers now report having booked a trip to a destination after seeing it featured in a TV show or movie.

Almost half of the travellers surveyed reported proactively researching or booking trips to destinations from upcoming TV shows and movies that haven’t even been released yet, rising to 57 per cent among Gen Z and Millennials.

Hobby Hubs—For a growing number of travellers, trip planning starts with a passion rather than a destination, with Stayz research showing 88 per cent are likely to take a hobby-focused trip in 2027.

Holiday rentals are becoming gathering places for crafting weekends, photography retreats, board-game nights, birding trips, and antiquing escapes with 31 per cent of Aussie travellers saying hobbies play a bigger role in how they travel compared to five years ago.

Connection is key for those looking to engage in hobby holidays. The leading motivations for booking a Hobby Hub are spending time with people who share similar interests (51 per cent), enjoying a hobby in a new setting (46 per cent) and spending time on a hobby (37 per cent).

Kayaking at the Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa, Crackenback, Snowy Mountains

Heartland Holidays — Beach getaways may be the first destinations that come to mind when considering holiday home rentals, but Stayz has seen dramatic growth in interest for inland destinations. Searches rose most sharply in NSW for Crackenback (+45 per cent), while Blue Mountains also gained ground.

These smaller towns, and mountain escapes offer local character, cultural energy, outdoor access, and a slower pace away from the usual coastal hotspots.

Nearly 57 per cent of travellers have gone on holiday to non-coastal destinations in the past 12 months, with the top driver for visiting landlocked locales being interest in the local culture, food, and art scenes, followed by a desire to explore off-the-beaten-path places, and affordability.

View the full report here.