For years, the travel conversation has been dominated by a single, buzzing word: overtourism. We’ve all seen the photos, Venice canals choked with cruisers, the queue for Everest looking like a rush-hour commute, and Kyoto’s geisha districts turning into paparazzi zones. But as we move into 2026, the script is flipping. The new buzzword isn’t about where everyone is going; it’s about how destinations are managing the people who arrive.
Expedia’s 2026 “Smart Travel Health Check” is the manifesto for this shift. Inspired by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), this new framework doesn’t just rank places by popularity. Instead, it highlights destinations that are actively managing their tourism footprint, balancing visitor numbers with community well-being, environmental stewardship, and cultural preservation.
For the eco-conscious traveler, this is your ultimate shortlist. These aren’t just beautiful places; they are smart places. Here are the top 5 sustainable destinations for 2026 that let you explore the world without weighing it down.
1. Big Sky, Montana, USA
- The Vibe: Cowboy conservationism meets high-alpine luxury.*
If Yellowstone is the chaotic main stage, Big Sky is the exclusive acoustic set. Seeing a massive 92% surge in interest according to Expedia’s trend report, Big Sky is managing its ascent to stardom with a “wild-first” philosophy. The destination has become a model for “Gateway Communities”, towns that border national parks but refuse to become mere parking lots for them.
Here, sustainability looks like open space. The local land trusts and resorts have collaborated to protect vast wildlife corridors, ensuring that the elk and grizzly populations can migrate undisturbed by the ski lifts. For the traveler, this means a shift towards “Farm Charm” and slow travel. Instead of ticking off sights, you’re encouraged to stay on working ranches or eco-lodges that fund local conservation. It’s a place where your tourism dollars directly protect the skyline that drew you there.
2. Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- The Vibe: The edge of the world, where art and wilderness collide.*
Hobart has quietly graduated from a sleepy harbor town to a global beacon of “Salvaged Stays” and sustainable gastronomy. As the gateway to Tasmania’s UNESCO World Heritage wilderness, Hobart takes its role as a guardian seriously. The city has resisted the urge to build sky-high, instead focusing on adaptive reuse, transforming historic waterfront warehouses into net-zero hotels and art spaces.
The “Smart Travel” aspect here is dispersal. Hobart encourages visitors to use the city as a base for dispersible, low-impact trips into the Tassie wild, spreading the economic benefit to smaller regional towns without overwhelming sensitive ecosystems. The food scene is strictly hyper-local; if it wasn’t grown, caught, or brewed on the island, you probably won’t find it on your plate. It’s a closed-loop culinary paradise that drastically cuts food miles.
3. Okinawa, Japan
- The Vibe: The Blue Zone keeping secrets of longevity and nature.*
While mainland Japan wrestles with the “Golden Route” crowds of Tokyo and Kyoto, Okinawa stands apart as a sanctuary of slow living. Recognized in the Health Check for its stewardship, Okinawa is leveraging its status as a “Blue Zone” (where people live longest) to promote wellness tourism that respects the land.
The prefecture is actively diverting traffic away from fragile coral reefs by promoting “satoyama” experiences, traditional village stays that focus on cultural immersion rather than consumption. You aren’t just a spectator here; you’re invited to participate in beach cleanups and coral gardening initiatives. It is a masterclass in how a popular beach destination can pivot from mass tourism to meaningful, regenerative travel.
4. Savoie, France
- The Vibe: Alpine grandeur without the carbon guilt.*
The French Alps have long been the playground of Europe, but Savoie is leading the charge in decarbonizing the ski holiday. This region has heavily invested in rail connectivity, allowing travelers to reach high-altitude resorts from major European hubs without ever touching a car or a plane.
But the “Smart” designation comes from its year-round strategy. Savoie is successfully breaking the “winter-only” curse, promoting summer hiking, agro-tourism, and cheese-making tours to ensure steady employment for locals and reduce the seasonal strain on infrastructure. Hotels here are rapidly retrofitting for energy efficiency, and the “Detour” trend is strong, encouraging skiers to visit lesser-known villages rather than just the mega-resorts.
5. The Cotswolds, United Kingdom
- The Vibe: The literary retreat where silence is the ultimate luxury.*
You might think the Cotswolds is already too famous, but that’s exactly why it made the list. The region is a pioneer in managing its own popularity. By promoting “Readaways”, quiet, low-tempo trips focused on relaxation and literature, the region is shifting the demographic from day-tripping tour buses to longer-stay visitors who invest in the community.
The focus here is on “preservation through patronage.” By staying in historic inns and “salvaged” manors, travelers provide the funds needed to maintain the centuries-old stone architecture. The local councils are using data to manage visitor flows, gently nudging tourists toward hidden gems and away from the bottleneck “Instagram spots” like Castle Combe during peak hours.
The “Smart” Way to Book
The most powerful tool you have as a traveler is your wallet. Destinations like these thrive when conscious travelers choose them over overcrowded alternatives.
To support your sustainable choices, Expedia is making it easier to sleep well at night, literally and ethically. When you sign up for a free membership, you unlock Member Prices, giving you 10% off or more on thousands of hotels, including many eco-certified properties in these smart destinations.
Look for the “Eco-Friendly” badge in your search results. It’s your signal that a hotel has third-party certification for sustainable practices, from water conservation to eliminating single-use plastics.
In 2026, travel isn’t about conquering the world. It’s about keeping it healthy enough to visit again.
