TripMaxxing, Checkmark Chasing and More Travel Trends To Watch in 2027


Inflation, what inflation? Travelers have no intention of letting rising costs impact their travel plans in 2027.

That’s according to Priceline’s just-issued Where to Next? Travel Trends Report for 2027, which reveals that travelers have no intention of dialing back in the coming year. Instead, they’re ‘TripMaxxing.’

What’s that? You’ve never heard of TripMaxxing before. You’re not alone.

It means globetrotters who are finding ways to make their budget go further and then putting any money saved toward experiences they care about most, according to Priceline.

To that end, 70% of Americans select destinations based on how far their money will stretch, while 65% have used savings from a great deal to go big on travel upgrades, says the Priceline report.

TripMaxxing is one of 8 emerging travel trends identified by the report, which is based on consumer research and Priceline’s own propriety travel data.


A few of the additional developments on the horizon or 2027 include travelers “following their feeds” to the table with Phone to Table, sharing more of themselves with AI through Personality Mapping and looking for hotels that fit their changing routines with GLP VIP.

"The clearest signal from this year's research is that travelers are being more deliberate about what they want a trip to deliver," said Lesley Klein, SVP, Strategy and Brand Marketing at Priceline. "They're using technology to make travel more personal, while seeking experiences and human connections that feel genuinely relevant to them. They're not just choosing where to go; they're designing what the trip means to them."

Read on to learn more about the travel trends poised to dominate the year ahead.

How we'll be traveling in 2027


GLP VIP

With 85% of GLP-1 users reporting that the medication changes how they vacation, GLP-1-friendly amenities are becoming a new travel must-have, according to Priceline. 

“Nearly three-quarters (74%) say a GLP-1-aware hotel would sway their choice, and 28% would pay more for it, putting amenities like in-room medication refrigeration, protein-forward menus and strength-focused fitness options on the travel wish list,” says the report.

This year, more travelers will trek towards thrilling, unique adventures, driving their desire to take one-of-a-kind vacations. (Photo Credit: Courtesy AdobeStock)

Checkmark Chasing

Checkmark-chasers won't just want to see the world, they'll want to complete it. 

Most Americans (80%) are interested in pursuing some type of checklist travel goal, whether that means visiting all 50 states, every NFL stadium, or every continent. Nearly one in three (32%) say completing a travel checklist would feel more satisfying than a once-in-a-lifetime dream vacation.
“ For these travelers, checking the next box gives them a reason to start planning the next trip,” the report explains.

High-touch Hospitality

Technology has made more parts of travel seamless and also fully self-service. Amid this development, travelers are putting a premium on the human interactions that make a stay memorable. 

More than one-third of Americans (37%) have returned to a hotel because of a memorable interaction with a staff member, while 66% say exceptional attention makes a stay memorable and just as many would pay extra for it. Whether it’s a waiter who remembers a coffee order or a hotel run club that turns strangers into friends, human touch is an important factor for 2027.


Vacation Vetting

Some travelers will use a vacation to answer a bigger question: could I actually live here? (Raising hand).

Two-thirds of Americans (66%) have wondered whether their destination would be a better place to live than their hometown, according to Priceline. Moreover, 21% of Americans have already moved somewhere they first visited as tourists, with 46% making the move within a year.

For Gen Zers and Millennials, getting a feel for everyday life can mean shopping at a local grocery store (45%), visiting a coffee shop on a weekday morning (28%) or even browsing real estate listings mid-trip (24%).


A group of friends eating a meal. (Photo Credit: Courtesy AdobeStock)

Phone to Table

In 2027, trip planning won't start with where to go, but with what's on the menu. Yes, you read that right: 80% of Gen Zers and Millennials would consider booking a trip simply because of a food experience.

“They'll build entire trips around a dish or snack flooding their For You Page,” says the Priceline report. :Think flying to Tokyo for the fried cream sandwich taking over your feed.” 

Virality is only part of the draw, with 33% of Americans saying a food is worth seeking out if it is a local or culturally distinctive specialty. From an internet-famous bite to a dish rooted in generations of local tradition, food can become the reason for the trip.

Personality Mapping

Personality types, value systems, love languages and even dream journal excerpts are among the details travelers are willing to share with AI for a more tailored trip, says Priceline. (To each, his own!)

Forty-five percent of Americans would share details like these in pursuit of the most tailored "me" trip imaginable, rising to 61% of Gen Zers and 62% of Millennials. They're using AI to turn those highly personal inputs into travel recommendations that feel made for them.


Party On

After years of collective cultural stress, travelers are ready to let loose, planning around one mission: having a great time, the whole time. 

Three-quarters of Americans (75%) are directing their budgets toward daytime activities like festivals and pool parties over nightlife. When traveling in groups, 68% party together and 35% make a point to celebrate or party multiple times throughout the trip.

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