by Natasha Lair
Last updated: 9:45 AM ET, Fri October 16, 2026
Forget the traditional beach getaway. In 2027, Canadian travellers could be heading off on ghost hunts, hiking their way through relationship troubles and letting AI handle their work emails while they're away.
Those are just some of the findings in Booking.com's latest Travel Predictions report, which identifies nine emerging trends expected to influence how, where and why people travel next year.
Based on consumer research and insights from the company's travel and technology experts, the report suggests Canadians are increasingly interested in experiences that reflect their personalities, emotional needs and changing lifestyles.
And some of the findings are anything but ordinary.
Couples Taking Their Problems on the Road
For some Canadians, the next getaway could involve working through relationship problems.
According to Booking.com, 39% of Canadian couples would consider taking a trip specifically to resolve conflict, while 67% believe vacation activities can make difficult conversations easier.
Hiking together was identified by 33% as one of the most effective ways to have those conversations.
The trend, dubbed "Trailside Therapy," suggests that couples may increasingly see travel as an opportunity to reconnect and work through challenges rather than simply escape them.
Ghost Hunting
Booking.com predicts growing interest in paranormal tourism.
Its research found that 59% of Canadian travellers are interested in experiences involving the paranormal, while 40% would seek an opportunity to communicate with someone on the "other side."
Another 41% expressed curiosity about experiences exploring death and the afterlife.
The trend, called "Trip to the Beyond," could see more travellers seeking out haunted locations, ghost tours and other supernatural experiences.
Canadians Want to Break Character
Apparently, some Canadians are getting tired of predictable vacations.
Nearly seven in 10 respondents (69%) say they want to take a trip that's completely out of character, while 29% want to surprise friends and family with their destination or activities.
Interestingly, 24% admit they've avoided posting about a vacation on social media because it felt too ordinary.
Booking.com calls this the "Plot Twist Trip," reflecting a desire to break away from familiar travel habits.
Show Me The Money
Group travel may be popular, but disagreements over spending can quickly change who's invited.
According to the research, 41% of Canadian travellers have reconsidered inviting someone on a trip because of differences in spending habits, while 27% have removed someone from a group entirely.
Meanwhile, 65% of parents say they want to travel without their children.
The findings suggest budgets and personal preferences are playing an increasingly important role in determining travel companions.
Less Food & Less Alcohol
Booking.com reports that 56% of Canadians say a health or lifestyle change has affected their choice of destination or activities.
With appetite-suppressing medications and interest in sobriety influencing consumer behaviour, 71% say they want vacation packages that allow them to remove services or experiences they won't use.
The trend, called "The All-Exclusive," points to demand for more flexible vacation packages rather than traditional all-inclusive offerings.
Giving the Feels
Instead of searching for a specific country or city, travellers may increasingly start by deciding how they want to feel.
Booking.com found that 72% of Canadians would choose a destination primarily based on their desired emotional experience, while 66% would use a search tool that recommends destinations according to mood.
Technology could play a significant role in that shift.
Among Gen Z respondents, 76% say they would share data from wearable devices and smartphones to personalize their vacations, compared with just 28% of baby boomers.
Solo Sweat Synergy
Physical challenges could also become a bigger part of solo travel.
Among Canadians who have travelled alone, 51% say participating in a shared physical challenge has resulted in a lasting friendship.
Another 44% would consider joining a community of like-minded athletes while travelling.
The trend, dubbed "Sweat Synergy," reflects interest in using fitness and shared activities to meet people while away from home.
AI OOO
For many Canadians, the final day of vacation comes with an unwelcome reminder that work is waiting.
More than half (55%) say their last vacation day is less enjoyable because they're already thinking about returning to work.
Booking.com's research found that 51% would be interested in having AI cover their work responsibilities while they're away, while 33% would allow it to manage emails and administrative tasks.
The company calls the trend "PTO: Powered by AI."
More Sleep, Please
Long-haul flights could also look different if travellers get their way.
An overwhelming 88% of Canadian respondents say they would be willing to take a long-haul journey if they knew they would arrive feeling rested.
Among their most desired features are menus designed to support sleep or guidance on caffeine consumption (33%), lighting designed to reduce jet lag (26%) and skincare kits (17%).
Nearly one-third (31%) would also choose a designated child-free quiet zone.
The "Hotel in the Sky" trend suggests airlines could face growing demand for onboard amenities focused on rest and recovery.
Express Yourself
"Travel is becoming less about following a formula and more about expressing who you are," said Paul Hennessy, Chief Marketing Officer at Booking.com.
Travellers are challenging the conventions of how, why and with whom we travel, and technology is giving them more freedom to do it with confidence. At Booking.com, we're actively building for the future of travel by combining AI with deeper personalization to tailor every step of the journey to individual intent and emotion, making it easier for everyone to experience the world - on their own terms."
Whether it's a difficult conversation on a mountain trail, a paranormal encounter or simply a flight that doesn't leave them exhausted, the research suggests the reasons Canadians travel may be just as important as where they're going.
And in 2027, those reasons could get a whole lot more interesting.
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