These ‘not hot’ destinations are poised to become cool

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Anyone who has elbowed through Venice, queued for the Mona Lisa, or tried to see Niagara Falls on a summer weekend knows how certain bucket list experiences lose their lustre when the masses arrive. The antidote isn’t skipping travel altogether. It’s going somewhere fewer people have discovered.

Intrepid Travel’s annual Not Hot List is back with 10 destinations it believes are poised to welcome more visitors in 2027. Developed using insights from the tour operator’s global network of local leaders and destination experts, the list shines a light on under-the-radar alternatives. 

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“Overtourism isn’t solved by telling people where not to go. It’s solved by giving them somewhere compelling to go instead. The Not Hot List is about finding the places that are ready to welcome more travellers, and directing demand where it can create real, positive impact for local communities,” says James Thornton, CEO, Intrepid Travel.

The annual Not Hot List has been right before. Gilgit-Baltistan and Kyrgyzstan’s Tien Shan range both debuted on the list before landing on the New York Times’ 52 places roundup, and bookings to both jumped by more than 60 per cent after the fact.

For the first time since the Not Hot List was introduced in 2018, a Canadian destination has been included. Whitehorse debuts at No. 4 in this year’s list. 

“Canada may be familiar to travellers around the world, but there is still so much of our country to discover. The Yukon is a powerful expression of what makes Canada extraordinary — from vast landscapes and the wonder of the Northern Lights to rich cultures and a genuine connection to place. Being recognized globally on Intrepid’s Not Hot List introduces travellers to a different side of Canada,” says Gloria Loree, senior vice-president, marketing strategy and CMO at Destination Canada.

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Here’s a look at Intrepid’s latest Not Hot List, featuring 10 destinations that haven’t hit peak tourism. For five of them, Intrepid has made the case a little easier by adding new trips for 2027.

1. Samburu National Reserve, Kenya

Kenya’s marquee parks get most of the attention, but Samburu offers a different take on the wildlife circuit, with community-led tourism tied to conservation and local livelihoods. Instead of chasing the usual Big Five checklist, Intrepid’s new 10-day Kenya Safari Adventure focuses on the rarer Samburu Special Five, including Grevy’s zebra, reticulated giraffe and gerenuk (also known as the giraffe gazelle).

2. Mestia, Georgia

New airport investment is opening up this Caucasus mountain region of UNESCO-listed valleys. Trekking routes on the Transcaucasian Way are incredibly scenic and remain blissfully uncrowded. Intrepid’s new nine-day Trek the Trans-Caucasian Trail trip climbs to the Chaaladi Glacier and threads through Svan villages, famed for their medieval defensive stone towers.

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3. Northern Highlands, Jordan

Petra and Wadi Rum receive most of the acclaim and the crowds. This greener northern stretch brings Roman ruins, pine forests and a beekeeper willing to hand over the honeycomb. Intrepid’s 12-day Jordan Uncovered tour adds calligraphy and traditional baking with local families to the itinerary.

4. Whitehorse, Yukon

The gateway to the Yukon just got easier to reach with the new Arctic Canada Tourism Network. Whitehorse is the jumping-off point, where wilderness and wildlife come with a strong Indigenous cultural story. A guided city walk led by a Tlingit guide from Kluane First Nation puts Yukon First Nations history, culture and contemporary life into the picture. Intrepid’s 16-day Wild Canada & Alaska expedition includes the experience.

5. Alonnisos, Greece

Port upgrades are steering sailors away from Santorini and Mykonos and toward this Sporades island. It’s home to the National Marine Park and one of the last strongholds of the endangered Mediterranean monk seal. Expect cobblestone streets in Alonnisos Old Town, hilltop views and sailing, too. 

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6. Dili, Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste’s admission to ASEAN is bringing new flights and infrastructure to a country many travellers struggle placing on a map. (Timor-Leste shares the island of Timor with Indonesia in Southeast Asia.) 

In Dili, travellers can browse vibrant textile markets and explore museums before heading out to hike and visit coffee plantations. Nearby Atauro Island is famed for having some of the highest marine biodiversity on earth.

7. Pekoe Trail, Sri Lanka

A newly designated long-distance trail is pulling hikers away from typical tourist routes and into Sri Lanka’s tea country. Birders will love spotting endemic species, while hiking through diverse ecosystems. Intrepid’s new 10-day tour tackles six of the Pekoe Trail’s best stages, spending time in lesser-visited communities. 

8. Carretera Austral, Chile

One of Chile’s largest infrastructure investments in decades is opening up the remote Northern Patagonia region. This alternative to Chile’s more visited southern parks takes adventurers past fiords, glaciers and rainforests.

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9. Liepāja, Latvia

As European Capital of Culture 2027, Liepāja is taking centre stage as Latvia diversifies tourism beyond Riga. Latvia’s third-largest city sits on the Baltic coast, with a long white-sand beach and an architectural mix that includes Art Nouveau. Its past is equally varied, from a Tsarist naval stronghold to a Soviet military zone with an infamous prison. 

10. Dalsland, Sweden

Sweden has plenty of outdoor destinations that already draw the crowds. Dalsland is making a case for itself as the alternative, with lakes, pine forests and gravel cycling routes. New rail links are expected to improve access along Sweden’s west coast, while glass cabins and other off-grid accommodations offer ways to become immersed in nature without pitching a tent.

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