Booking.com reveals Christchurch as top 10 trending destination for 2027, alongside travel predictions

From the quintessentially Californian beauty of Monterey to the ancient samurai history of Sendai, Booking.com has unveiled its top 10 trending destinations for 2027—and our very own Ōtautahi Christchurch has made the list.

The announcement is part of Booking.com’s 2027 Travel Predictions and Trending Destinations report, based on a survey of more than 28,000 travellers across 32 countries and territories, including over 1000 Kiwis. 

Christchurch was the only Australasian destination to feature on the list, recognition that comes as the city continues to reshape its centre following the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011.

“Over the past decade, the city has rebuilt with purpose, creating a vibrant, walkable centre shaped around the Ōtākaro Avon River, with Māori culture, history and identity woven throughout,” says Ali Adams, chief executive for ChristchurchNZ. 

“Christchurch offers the rare combination of a dynamic urban experience and extraordinary natural beauty, all within easy reach.”

Beyond the vibrant centre, visitors have a plethora of experiences at their fingertips: stargazing at local observatories, encountering native creatures at the wildlife parks, and exploring the diverse array of landscapes—from panoramic ocean vistas at Godley Head to the dramatic, volcanic ridges of the Port Hills—are just some of the many ways to fill your itinerary.

The city is also home to an increasingly acclaimed food scene, with 16 restaurants featured in Aotearoa’s inaugural MICHELIN Guide. Sample farm-to-table fare at Tussock Hill, the boutique vineyard’s on-site restaurant, or savour bold Mediterranean flavours at Odeon. For dry-aged meat and premium local produce, specialty steak restaurant Bessie is a must-try.

Christchurch is also known as the Garden City for a reason. Riverside paths, green spaces and regenerated parkland make it easy to explore on foot or by bike. Enjoy a cricket match in the summer sun at Hagley Park, or reconnoiter the beautifully landscaped grounds at Christchurch Botanic Gardens. The newly minted One New Zealand Stadium (Te Kaha), meanwhile, positions the city as one of the country’s leading events and entertainment destinations. 

While hailed as “the gateway” to the South Island, Christchurch Airport is also a hub for global travel. As the country’s second largest international airport, it operates direct flights to the likes of Australia, Singapore, China, Fiji, and Japan.

“I’m proud to see our very own Ōtautahi Christchurch recognised among the world’s top 10 trending destinations for 2027,” says Todd Lacey, regional manager, Oceania and Korea at Booking.com.

“It’s a city that is full of surprises that has reinvented itself over the last 15 years, from its buzzing creative scene and beautiful civic and event spaces to the incredible outdoor adventures right on its doorstep.”

When it comes to travel predictions for the year ahead, the research indicates a growing appetite for more personalised experiences—as well as unexpected adventures.

A growing number of travellers are trading sun and sand for the supernatural, according to the research. The survey found 56 percent of Kiwi respondents were interested in paranormal encounters, while nearly half (42 percent) would seek out an experience with the hope of speaking to someone on the “other side”.

The research also found that almost three-quarters (72 percent) of Kiwi travellers would choose their next holiday simply to subvert the status quo, with 30 percent actively wanting to surprise their friends and family with their travel choices. Alternatively, 73 percent would pick a destination based on how they want to feel, as opposed to where they want to go. A staggering 67 percent of Gen-Z respondents said they would be willing to share their wearable data, phone metrics, and emotional state with a travel provider to help personalise their trip, compared to just 16 percent of Boomers.

Other honourable mentions include a trend towards holidays as a form of couples therapy, with 43 percent saying they would consider taking a trip to resolve conflicts; a “less is more” mentality, with 70 percent wanting a customisable package where they can remove unwanted services; and a growing reliance on AI, with 48 percent of Kiwi travellers saying they’d be interested in having AI cover their work while on holiday. 

“Travel is becoming less about following a formula and more about expressing who you are. Kiwis are challenging the conventions of how, why and with whom we travel, and technology is giving them more freedom to do it with confidence,” Lacey adds.

“At Booking.com, we’re actively building for the future of travel by combining AI with deeper personalisation 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.”

The other nine trending destinations for 2027 are Monterey, California; Sendai, Japan; Reims, France; Rosario, Argentina; Pescara, Italy; Puri, India; Goiânia, Brazil; Asunción, Paraguay; and Bratislava, Slovakia.

For the full New Zealand Travel Predictions report, click here.

BOOKING.COM