Everyday life has two-thirds of Americans stuck in host mode, and “quiet questing” is their solution in 2027.
That’s according to a recent survey of 2,000 Americans with travel plans in the next year, evenly split by generation, which found that half (51%) always or often return from a leisure trip completely drained.
For many people, vacations aren’t exactly the break they’re hoping for. Sometimes, vacations can be even busier.
One reason may be that so many never really get to clock out. This is especially true for the 67% of Americans who consider themselves everyday “hosts” — meaning they’re the person organizing the plans and making sure everyone is having a good time.
This responsibility doesn’t disappear while on vacation. The majority of respondents (67%) also agreed that being in “host mode” and in charge of things while traveling feels more like working a job, instead of being on vacation.
Travelers are ready to leave “host mode” at home
When survey respondents were asked which responsibilities they’d most like to leave behind on vacation so they can truly relax, cleaning topped the list, with 30% of travelers saying they don’t want to do it while away.
Cooking (28%) and making sure everyone else is happy (27%) also ranked high, followed by resolving problems (24%) and adjusting plans around other people’s preferences (22%).
The study was commissioned by IHG Hotels & Resorts and conducted by Talker Research to explore the experiences people are craving and the ways they actually want to spend their time on vacation, as well as the top travel trends poised to shape 2027.
According to the findings, one trend stood above the rest: silence is the new souvenir. “Quiet questing,” or vacations built around peace and escaping notifications, crowds and obligations, emerged as the travel trend Americans are most interested in in the coming year (31%). This desire to switch off and leave responsibilities at home might explain why “quiet questing” is poised to be so popular. And all generations, save Gen Z, said this is the type of trip that captures their interest the most.
Second on the top trends list was traveling “like a local,” or experiencing destinations through the routines, traditions, and perspectives of the people who live there (29%), signaling a growing appetite among travelers for experiencing destinations beyond the typical tourist trail.
And while older generations are seeking opportunities to unplug and recharge, Gen Z is looking to connect more deeply with the places they visit. This is the type of travel experience that Gen Z (26%) was most interested in embarking on, along with being one of millennials’ most favored trip types (27%).
Rounding out the top five travel trends for 2027 were “selective splurging” (22%), or spending more than usual on everyday travel expenses like food, entertainment, transportation, and fashion, and “vacation ghosting” (19%), or booking a trip without telling friends or family until after returning.
“Passport to romance” (18%) was also popular, with more and more travelers looking to come home with a love story by sparking a new connection or deepening an existing one while on the road.
“What this research reveals is that travelers are looking for a break from the everyday mental load,” said Gemma Bull, vice president of global storytelling at IHG Hotels & Resorts. “Day-to-day life can be filled with endless choices, constant planning and decision-making, with many people serving as the organizer, problem-solver and host for everyone around them.
Increasingly, they’re seeking getaways that allow them to step out of host mode and into vacation mode, giving themselves permission to be the guest for once. The best travel experiences make that possible, taking care of the details so guests can simply show up as themselves and enjoy being taken care of.”
Travelers are already chasing their 2027 bucket lists
Vacation bookings are well underway for the coming year, with the average respondent saying they already have two out of the three trips they want to take in 2027 planned.
The top sensations they’re hoping to experience while traveling in the new year are excitement (36%), joy (29%), escape (26%), and calm (24%).
And beach and coastal locales (44%) are where travelers most want to find these feelings in 2027. After coastal settings, respondents said they’re most interested in visiting major cities (29%), islands/resort destinations (27%), mountains (24%) and national parks (21%).
TOP TRAVEL TRENDS OF 2027
- Quiet questing — Vacations built around peace and escaping notifications, crowds and obligations; phone-free trips, non-digital events and activities; silent retreats (31%)
- -Like a local — Experiencing destinations through the routines, traditions and perspectives of the people who live there (not just through famous attractions); blending in and being immersed (29%)
- Selective splurging — Spending more on things than you would in everyday life: food, beauty treatments, shows, transportation, fashion, accommodations, upgrades; wanting vacation to feel more elevated than everyday life (22%)
- Vacation ghosting — Booking a trip and telling no one, including friends/family, until after (or not at all) (19%)
- Passport to romance — Traveling with a romantic partner for the first time, sparking romance with a partner, finding a romantic connection along the way (18%)
- Pet-friendly travel — Traveling in a way, and to locations, where pets are welcome (17%)
- Set-it-and-forget-It — A pre-arranged trip with no choices/logistics to think about after arriving (17%)
- Peak pursuits — Adventure as an “antidote”; seeking thrills and a break from the humdrum of life; hiking, backpacking, climbing mountains, scuba diving, mountain biking; physically challenging activities (17%)
- Third place travel — Seeking ordinary life abroad and wanting to make in-person connections with fellow travelers and locals (15%)
- Bookmarked — Trips inspired by literature and books (e.g., visiting the homes of famous authors, literary landscapes, etc.) (14%)
Research methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans who plan to travel in the next 12 months, evenly split by generation who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by IHG Hotels & Resorts and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Sept. 3 and Sept. 13, 2026.
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