“The travel trend for 2024: Destination Dupes” – The Hindu.
“These 9 Dupe Destinations Look Like the Real Deals” – National Geographic.
“The ‘dupe destination’ boom hits social media” – Nikkei Asia.
“Why ‘destination dupes’ are the latest trend in travel matching” – BBC.
At the time, we predicted: “The huge pent-up demand for international travel means that, when all pandemic-related travel restrictions are removed, the world's top attractions will likely be even busier than they are.” were in pre-coronavirus times. »
The logical conclusion was that travelers would seek out quieter, more affordable – perhaps more brag-worthy – alternatives.
And we came up with a few suggestions: the ancient cobblestone town of Fuli, or Xingping, in the Guangxi autonomous region, instead of tourist-heavy Yangshuo; Sleeping Tha Ton, on the Mae Kok River, instead of visitor magnets elsewhere in Thailand; the rugged red rock landscape of Utah instead of the busy American Grand Canyon flown over by helicopter.
And so it happened; the crowds return – and disperse (a little).
“Travel technology company Expedia was the first to mention duped destinations in its trends for 2024,” says The Hindu newspaper. (We'll give them this one, since Expedia was arguably the first to mention destination dupes in their trend report).
Nikkei Asia says: “‘Fashion dupes’ started as a trend on TikTok aimed at finding affordable alternatives to duplicate popular products. The same logic quickly migrated to travel in the form of destination dupes.
The Japan-based news magazine suggests swapping Bali for Thailand “because it is easier to get around, less crowded and comparatively cheaper; Lombok instead of Bali as it is lesser known and has pristine beaches like Kuta, as well as rich Sasak culture and activities like volcano hikes to Mount Rinjani.
“South Korea often wins over Japan because it is more economical and less populated; and the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc can be swapped for Phuket in Thailand for a more relaxed experience.
Duping is a simple idea that can be easily adapted. We recently received an email promising to reveal “Five Fool Destinations in Asia Pacific You Didn't Know About, Available on Marriott Bonvoy.” Each suggested dupe of course comes with a suggested hotel.
The premise here seems to be that you are unlikely to know about these connections because they are tenuous at best.
Is Koh Samui in Thailand a realistic “isolated island” replacing Bora Bora? Is the heritage and architecture of Jaipur, India really a substitute for the Moorish design of Morocco?
Seoul can replace the Big Apple, Marriott suggests, because the South Korean capital “features an attractive array of attractions reminiscent of New York's hot spots.”
“Seoul N Tower is an interesting alternative to the crowded Empire State Building. For a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city, swap Central Park for the Seoul Forest.
Therefore, any city with a tower and a park can be considered a substitute for New York.
In truth, some travelers have always avoided crowds, but only now is such behavior being declared – and marketed – as “a trend,” putting a whole new set of destinations on the path to ruin.
The pursuit of authenticity (for lack of a better word) has always been the raison d'etre of a few important people, which is why we take issue with some of the claims made in a recent Business Insider article.
“According to (Matt Berna, president of small-group travel company Intrepid Travel), younger travelers are not bogged down by the FOMO – or “fear of missing out” – that has influenced older generations. They want to be a pioneer and go to the next cool place.
Jump on the bandwagon, some would say.
The “next cool place,” according to destination-dupe logic, must have discernible similarities to the old cool place. But this is where things get weird.
Intrepid recommends Seoul as a “dupe” for Tokyo, with the South Korean capital being “an ideal destination for travelers who want to avoid crowded attractions while exploring an Asian megacity.” That's fair enough, but…
“Seoul offers an authentic and immersive cultural experience, allowing travelers to explore traditional Korean customs, arts and lifestyles in a vibrant and modern urban setting,” Intrepid Travel told Business Insider.
“This experience provides a better understanding of South Korea's rich cultural heritage, which may be less accessible in more popular tourist spots globally.”
In other words, Seoul is interesting in its own right, as the South Korean capital, rather than as a substitute for Tokyo, Japan. And there certainly shouldn't be any “possibility” that “South Korea's rich cultural heritage” would be more accessible in Seoul than elsewhere in the world.
By choosing Borneo over Bali, travelers can embark on a journey that transcends mere sightseeing and offers a deep appreciation of natural wonders and cultural richness.
More bizarrely, Intrepid encourages travelers to visit the Central American country of Panama rather than Barcelona, Spain: “Panama's diverse natural landscapes, including lush rainforests, exotic wildlife and pristine beaches, provide a canvas captivating background for nature lovers and adventure seekers. »
Panama, we are told, has a “vibrant cultural scene, influenced by its indigenous heritage, Afro-Caribbean roots and Spanish culture.”
It offers a “dynamic and diverse experience for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in local traditions, folklore and contemporary arts, offering an authentic and enriching journey that differs from the more European cultural landscape of Barcelona”.
Nothing to do with the Spanish city – and not even on the same continent.
Intrepid also suggests Borneo as a replacement for Bali.
“While Bali is undoubtedly a stunning destination with its beautiful beaches and rich cultural heritage, Borneo offers a completely different experience (emphasis added) which is unparalleled in itself.
“By choosing Borneo over Bali, travelers can embark on a journey that transcends mere tourism and offers a deep appreciation of the natural wonders and cultural richness that define this remarkable destination.”
Now we are confused. Should the term “destination dupes” be used to describe literally any other place that comes to mind? Don't visit crowded Hong Kong, head to Iceland instead, for a very different vacation.
Our advice: Visit Seoul to see Seoul, not because someone trying to sell something tells you it's an alternative to Tokyo or New York – or that you should go to Taipei instead.
