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Ajlun, Jordan. Photographer: Jakub Zajic | iStock.
Intrepid releases their 2027 Not Hot List
By Tiffany West
Intrepid Travel has released its annual Not Hot List for 2027, identifying ten destinations where increased visitor numbers could make a positive contribution to local communities and economies. Rather than directing travellers towards already crowded attractions, the list draws attention to places with the capacity and infrastructure to welcome more visitors.
Developed with input from local guides, destination specialists and tourism organisations across 35 countries, the selection considers visitor numbers, tourism readiness and developments that make each destination particularly relevant for 2027. Three destinations lead this year’s list, offering very different reasons to reconsider the familiar travel map.
Samburu National Reserve, Kenya. Photographer: Shabbir Jasdanwala | iStock.
Samburu National Reserve, Kenya
Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve takes first place, offering an alternative to the country’s more heavily visited safari destinations. Located in northern Kenya, the reserve is known for its distinctive wildlife, including Grevy’s zebras, reticulated giraffes and gerenuks, alongside elephants and large predators. Its inclusion reflects wider efforts to distribute safari tourism more evenly across Kenya, reducing pressure on the country’s busiest national parks while creating opportunities for communities and conservation initiatives in less-visited regions.
Historic Svan towers in the town of Mestia, Georgia. Photographer: Doungdee Kiatgraigangwan | iStock.
Mestia, Georgia
In Georgia’s mountainous Svaneti region, Mestia provides a gateway to the Caucasus and a landscape of medieval defensive towers, traditional villages and spectacular hiking country. Long associated with adventurous travellers, the region is becoming more accessible while retaining much of its distinctive cultural character.
For visitors interested in exploring beyond Europe’s established mountain destinations, Mestia offers opportunities for trekking and cultural encounters in a region where tourism can provide an important source of local income.
Inside the 12th-century Ajloun Castle, Jordan. Photographer: Paco Lozano | iStock.
Northern Highlands, Jordan
Jordan’s Northern Highlands offer a different perspective on a country more commonly associated with Petra, Wadi Rum and its desert landscapes. Here, forested hills, agricultural villages, archaeological sites and walking trails reveal a greener side of Jordan. The region includes Ajloun, known for its medieval castle and surrounding nature reserve, as well as access to parts of the Jordan Trail. Its inclusion encourages travellers to consider destinations beyond Jordan’s established visitor circuit, potentially spreading tourism expenditure to communities that receive comparatively little international attention.
Intrepid’s Not Hot List is not simply a catalogue of places waiting to be discovered. Its underlying argument is that where travellers choose to go can influence how tourism’s economic and social benefits are distributed. For solo travellers considering their next journey, these three destinations offer opportunities to explore places outside the most familiar itineraries, while thinking more carefully about the communities their visits may support.