SINGAPORE, 9 October 2026: Global travel app Skyscanner has launched its Travel Trends 2027 report, revealing seven key trends shaping Singaporeans’ travel behaviour.
The annual travel trends report launched alongside a list of next year’s best-value destinations and key shifts expected in the travel industry.
In a fragmented and often overstimulating world, travellers increasingly seek value not just in what they spend, but in what they gain. Whether that means unplugging completely, journeying for an exclusive purchase, maintaining a workout routine on the road, or chasing a favourite sound across borders, getaways now mirror how we choose to live.
And despite broader consumer spending slowing and global economic tides shifting, travel demand remains positive – with 89% of Singapore travellers planning to travel as much, if not more, in 2027. Instead of sacrificing trips, holidaymakers are adapting by prioritising what matters most to them, including finding authentic local experiences (37%), seeking convenience and familiarity (37%), and keeping costs low (36%).
Cost remains the bottom line for those aged 17 choosing their next travel destination – the most important deciding factors are accommodation budgets (51%) and airfares (51%).
In an uncertain world where travel remains fluid and malleable due to world events, travellers are being more cautious by allocating more budget to travel insurance (32%), protecting themselves from unforeseen circumstances that may affect their travel plans.
Seven trends shaping travel in 2027
1. Signal severance: 80% of Singapore travellers are somewhat able to disconnect during their travels to different extents. Driven by digital fatigue, constant connectivity, and Singapore’s fast-paced work culture, travellers are logging off during their holidays to be more attuned to themselves. As more people want to unplug, trending digital detox spots like Yining, China (+193% Year-on-Year) and Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (+84% Year-on-Year) are seeing rising demand.
2. Pilgra-merch: The best keepsakes are the ones you must travel to secure. Travel Trends 2027 research found that Singapore travellers are building itineraries inspired by distinctive regional apparel, artisanal crafts and location-exclusive items. Over one in two (56%) take a trip specifically for items they can’t buy online.
3. Sound bound: Music has become one of the biggest drivers of global travel, but beyond stadium tours, regional sounds and local culture are driving destination choices. Cultural immersion is a priority, as one in five (18%) state cultural immersion to be the most important factor when planning a music-related trip. Traditional concert venues and carnival experiences also rank highly for both Gen Z (41% and 37%) and Millennials (31% and 34%).
4. Currency chasers: Savvy spenders can make their money go further in 2027 by actively matching destinations to take advantage of positive foreign exchange rates. Nearly half (44%) of travellers, including 55% of Gen Z and 49% of Millennials, have switched destinations to take advantage of better exchange rates, directly influencing destination choices.
5. Multi-mooning: Having just one honeymoon is no longer the trend for young couples in Singapore. Couples are spreading romance across a series of meaningful escapes, from mini-moons just after the wedding to dream trips years later. 31% of travellers (rising to 45% of Gen Zs) now opt for multiple “mini-moons” to celebrate their wedding rather than a single traditional honeymoon. Popular multi-moon destinations include Udaipur, India and Qingdao, China, which have seen 119% and 105% Year-on-Year growth in searches, respectively.
6. Grand odysseys: In a fast-paced world, the world’s oldest stories inspire us to travel and be closer to ancient heroes, mythology and cultures. Films like The Odyssey have inspired 38% of travellers to plan a trip, while half (54%) were inspired by architectural wonders (e.g. Pompeii, the Parthenon, and the Colosseum).
7. Gym-cation: Health and fitness travel is inspiring people to seek out destinations where staying active and prioritising protein-rich healthy choices is as easy as sightseeing. Over two-thirds of Gen Z (78%) are more likely to book a hotel which serves a nutritious breakfast, and 32% of Gen Z travellers prefer hotels with gyms and are willing to choose one hotel over another if the fitness offering is better. Bangkok, Mumbai, New York, Phuket, and Seoul top the list of destinations for global travellers using Skyscanner’s hotel gym filter.
Trending and best value destinations
Skyscanner’s experts highlighted 10 destinations seeing the biggest year-on-year search surges to help travellers experience the buzz while they’re still largely undiscovered. Belitung in Indonesia has come out on top, with a massive 388% increase Year-on-Year as adventurous travellers look past traditional capitals for untouched sandy beaches.
For travellers looking to stretch their holiday budget further in 2027, Skyscanner’s experts have tracked the top destinations where airfares have fallen the most year-on-year, coupled with competitive accommodation pricing. Chicago, US, claims the top spot for value, leading the list with a massive 47% price drop, offering an affordable gateway to neighbourhood jazz clubs and world-renowned festivals.
Horizons: The future of travel
Travel Trends 2027 research suggests that rising costs aren’t stopping travellers from getting away, but they are making for smarter planners and spenders. Instead of cutting back on the number of getaways, travellers are focusing their budgets on where it matters most, which for Singapore travellers means seeking authentic local experiences (37%).
For trip inspiration, human connection still beats bots. YouTube, Instagram and TikTok lead as the top sources of holiday ideas (58%, 48% and 39%), comfortably beating out AI chatbots and tools (19%). This is stronger for Gen Z, as they tend to trust recommendations from their friends (58%) and family (57%) the most.
To read more about the Travel Trends 2027, check: Skyscanner Singapore’s Travel Trends 2026.
(Source: Skyscanner)
