Ten Beautiful Destinations That Actually Want More Tourists (And Can Support Them)
If you love to find new places to visit and prefer beautiful scenery to tourist attractions, Intrepid Travel has put together a list of 10 places on its 2027 Not Hot List.
The destinations span several parts of the world and offer very different experiences, including a safari in Kenya and relaxing on a Greek island.
The name might sound like an insult, but it actually means these places get fewer visitors than similar destinations, and Intrepid thinks travelers would love them.
Some of the places even have new flights, trains, or events coming in 2027. Others give travelers a less crowded alternative to somewhere that already attracts millions of people.
What Does It Take to Make the Not Hot List?
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According to Intrepid Travel, each destination was chosen because it gets fewer visitors than similar places and has the space and services to handle more tourists.
The company then looked for another reason people may want to go in 2027. That could be a major event, a new flight or an easier way to get there. Local guides, tourism boards and Intrepid employees in 35 countries helped put the list together.
The List Starts With a Safari
Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve is at the top of the list and receives only 30,000 to 40,000 visitors each year. That is about one-tenth of the crowd at the Maasai Mara, but travelers still have a chance to see wildlife while supporting local communities and conservation programs.
Mestia, Georgia, is next up. It sits in the Caucasus Mountains, surrounded by small villages and tall peaks. Improved access is making it easier to visit for hiking, skiing and other outdoor activities.
Many trips to Jordan focus on Petra and Wadi Rum. However, the Northern Highlands show a different side of the country with Roman ruins, forest reserves and mountain trails instead of the better-known desert scenery.
Whitehorse is the closest destination on the list for many Americans. A new Arctic tourism project is helping the Canadian city become a starting point for cultural experiences, wildlife trips and outdoor adventures around the Yukon.
The first half of the list ends with Alonnisos, Greece. The island welcomed approximately 70,000 visitors in 2024, compared with 500,000 on nearby Skiathos, and has beaches, clear water and one of Europe’s largest protected marine areas.
You Can Also Hike, Drive or Ride a New Train
New flights are now making Dili, Timor-Leste, the next place on the list, easier to reach. Travelers can use the capital as a base for seeing coral reefs, beaches and mountains in one of Southeast Asia’s least-visited countries.
The Pekoe Trail stretches approximately 186 miles through Sri Lanka’s tea country. It is divided into 22 sections, so visitors can choose a shorter walk instead of completing the entire route.
Liepāja, Latvia, will become a European Capital of Culture in 2027, with more than 500 events planned. The Baltic city also has stunning white-sand beaches and a former military district to explore.
Anyone who enjoys a long road trip can follow the Carretera Austral for approximately 770 miles through Chilean Patagonia. The route passes rainforests, glaciers and fjords without the same traffic found in busier parts of the region.
Dalsland finishes the list with lakes, forests and plenty of places to spend time outside. A new train between Malmö (Sweden) and Oslo (Norway) makes this part of Sweden easier to reach for kayaking, hiking, camping and bike rides.
Which spot on this list would you most like to visit?
