Instead of encouraging travelers to go to the hottest, must-visit destinations, this new list urges them to check out those off the beaten path – and how it can be incredibly rewarding.
Intrepid Travel released its eighth annual Not Hot List 2026 on Wednesday, Sept. 10, showcasing 10 under-the-radar destinations where tourism benefits the community or investments into a sustainable travel industry. It's a response to the fact that 80% of travelers visit only 10% of the world's destinations, which often strains natural environments, communities and infrastructure. This past summer, thousands of people across Spain demonstrated against overtourism, claiming it has made housing unaffordable and their neighborhoods unlivable.
To compile the list, Intrepid tapped into its on-the-ground guides and experts in over 30 countries. Some factors the team considered are if destinations are lesser known, investing in their tourism infrastructure or alternatives to the trending but overcrowded spots. Instead of visiting Dubrovnik, people who are itching to cross Croatia off their list can go to Vis Island, where there are no cruise ship ports and many locally owned lodging options.
"Tourism done well is incredibly powerful for communities," said Leigh Barnes, Intrepid's president for the Americas. "One of the most powerful things about tourism, I think it's too often forgotten in this conversation, is the fact that it gets money directly into communities, families, businesses that need it most."
