G Adventures Reveals 2027 Destinations to Watch

As travellers look ahead to 2027, G Adventures is putting a different spin on the traditional destinations-to-watch list. The community tourism pioneer has identified eight places set to capture travellers’ attention next year, along with better ways to experience them. That means looking beyond the most-visited sights and finding ways to spread tourism’s benefits more widely. 

The list includes destinations experiencing a rise in popularity, places becoming more accessible and destinations with a reason to celebrate in 2027. But, even where tourism is already booming, G Adventures is getting travellers off the beaten path within popular destinations, connecting them with locally owned businesses and experiences, and directing tourism dollars to communities and regions beyond the usual hotspots:

CHINA:

Why now? China is high on the radar, with G Adventures recording an 163 per cent YoY increase in Canadian bookings. An expanded 30-day visa-free policy across 50 countries (including Canada) has removed a major hurdle, driving demand from premium National Geographic Journeys to budget 18-to-Thirtysomethings trips. G Adventures has added nine new itineraries to meet the surge.

See it differently: The new 19-day Signature: China From the Great Wall to Shangri-La (departing March 2027) takes travellers into the remote northwest where the Silk Road meets vast desert landscapes. Guests get special access to restricted caves at the Mogao Grottoes, view the Han Dynasty Great Wall ruins, experience golden hour at Yadan "Devil City," and stay in a hotel designed like a Tang Dynasty desert fortress on the edge of the Mingsha Sand Dunes. Rather than simply ticking off China’s icons, the itinerary uses them as a gateway to the history, culture, landscapes and people beyond them.

EGYPT

Why now? In August 2027, Egypt will sit directly in the path of totality for a rare total solar eclipse above Luxor. Beyond this once-in-a-generation astronomical event, tourism momentum is surging thanks to major infrastructure upgrades, expanded hotel capacity, and long-awaited cultural milestones like the full opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in 2025. Demand is skyrocketing to meet the moment, with G Adventures recording a 106 per cent year-over-year surge in Canadian bookings as travellers lock in their Nile and desert journeys months in advance.

See it differently: With G Adventures also reporting a 16 per cent surge in Canadian solo female travellers to Egypt, the nine-day Solo-ish Egypt itinerary reimagines one of the world's most historic destinations specifically for independent explorers who want connection without friction. Skipping large tour buses in favor of small-group community immersion, travellers enjoy a local street food tour in Cairo, lunch at a female-led community project outside Giza, a visit to a Nubian village along the Nile, and cycling through Luxor villages with a student guide to support local education projects. It’s the perfect balance of structured cultural access with intentional "Me Days" for personal discovery.

THE STANS:

Why now? The Silk Road is having a moment with Canadian bookings seeing a 66 per cent increase in travellers to Uzbekistan and 29 per cent to Kyrgyzstan over the past year. G Adventures was also an early mover in the region, introducing its first itineraries for young travellers through 18-to-Thirtysomethings last year. But, it is not just younger travellers being drawn east: since launching in January, National Geographic Signature with G Adventures has made The Stans its most-booked region globally.

See it differently: The 26-day 18-to-Thirtysomethings The Stans: The Ultimate Adventure through the Silk Road skips the crowded resorts along Lake Issyk-Kul to explore Kyrgyzstan's rugged southern coast. Travellers hike Skazka Canyon, learn nail-free yurt building from local artisans in Barskoon, share a Dungan family lunch in the village, and venture off-grid into Tajikistan’s Fan Mountains for a remote lake hike and traditional homestay barbecue. It’s the Silk Road experienced as an explorer rather than a tourist.

NORWAY

Why now? Demand for Nordic travel is increasing, with G Adventures recording a 23 per cent year-over-year increase in Canadian travellers to Norway. The solar cycle period continues to deliver intense aurora activity, making early 2027 a prime window for northern lights displays before activity is reportedly set to wane for the next decade. Combined with newly announced direct nonstop flights between Toronto and Oslo, reaching Norway's fjords, Arctic wilderness, and vibrant coastal communities has never been easier for Canadian travellers.

See it differently: Rather than admiring Norway’s famous fjords from a crowded cruise ship deck, the seven-day Norway Fjord Trekking itinerary puts travellers directly onto the terrain that forged the country's wilderness identity. Starting in Bergen and based out of the fjord town of Odda in the "Valley of the Waterfalls," travellers strap on crampons for a guided trek across the blue ice of Folgefonna Glacier, navigate the technical mountain trails of Buerdalen valley, and tackle the ultimate full-day trek up to Trolltunga ("The Troll’s Tongue") for sweeping views 700 meters above Lake Ringedalsvatnet.

THE SEYCHELLES

Why now? Long dominated by fly-and-flop resorts and cruise ships, the Seychelles is shifting toward sustainable, active tourism ahead of its 2028 national roadmap. Entering 2027 as a key transition year, it offers travellers an opportunity to experience its pristine beaches, dramatic peaks, and rich marine life before visitor numbers increase.

See it differently: G Adventures’ new 8-day Geluxe itinerary, Seychelles: Vallée de Mai, Curieuse Island & Shores of Anse Lazio reimagines the archipelago as an active island-hopping journey across Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue by foot, kayak, and catamaran. Highlights include an "OMG Day" choice between hiking the Copolia Trail or observing free-roaming giant tortoises at Cap Lazare, paired with an "OMG Stay" in iconic A-frame chalets at La Digue Island Lodge.

VIETNAM

Why now? The Government of Canada recently announced an expanded air transport agreement that allows for direct flights between Canada and Vietnam for the first time, paving the way for more accessible access for Canadian passengers in 2027. With over 60 trips, including 15 new itineraries, travellers can experience Vietnam their own way, from multi-country trips spanning 18-Thirtysomethings to two new Signature features.

See it differently: Rather than just hitting standard photo stops, the 16-day Classic Vietnam: Sapa to the Mekong trip takes travellers deep into the everyday rhythms of local culture. Highlights include multi-day treks through Sapa’s northern highlands with hands-on traditional wax-dyeing workshops alongside Indigenous Hmong and Red Dao communities. Travellers sail past Halong Bay's limestone karsts, learn traditional noodle-making at the Oodles of Noodles social enterprise in Hoi An, and learn to make traditional rice paper in the heart of the Mekong Delta.

THE WESTERN BALKANS

Why now? The Western Balkans are emerging as one of Europe’s most compelling alternatives for travellers looking to escape the continent’s increasingly crowded hotspots. G Adventures has seen a 117 per cent increase in Canadian passengers travelling to Albania over the past 12 months, with Bosnia and Herzegovina growing 83 per cent, signalling rising interest in a region that offers dramatic mountain landscapes, rich cuisine and layers of history without the same overtourism pressures as many of Europe’s better-known destinations.

See it differently: The nine-day Hiking in Albania, Kosovo & Montenegro skips the typical city-hopping route for alpine trekking across borders. Travellers hike through Albania’s Valbona Valley, explore Kosovo's Rugova Canyon by 4x4, visit Peja's traditional bazaar, and stay in family-run mountain guesthouses, experiencing one of Europe’s last wild frontiers entirely on foot.

GREECE

Why now? Mount Olympus, the mythical home of the 12 Olympian gods and the throne of Zeus, is giving travellers a new reason to look north, following its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2026. It’s a timely moment to explore a different side of Greece, as the country’s tourism momentum shows no signs of slowing. With five new trips spanning a range of travel styles, G Adventures is showcasing the breadth of experiences Greece has to offer beyond its beautiful islands.

How to see it differently: G Adventures’ Hiking Northern Greece itinerary offers a different way to experience a country often known only for its islands and beaches. Rather than island-hopping through the usual hotspots, travellers slow down and explore on foot, heading into northern Greece’s mountains (including Mount Olympus) forests and traditional villages.

For more information or to book a trip, visit gadventures.com