Opinion | Why the ‘dupe destinations’ travel trend is getting silly: swapping New York for Seoul? Barcelona to Panama? Let’s go

“The Travel Trend for 2024: Destination Dupes” – The Hindu.

“These 9 stupid destinations feel real” – National Geographic.

“The ‘dupe destination’ boom hits social media” – Nikkei Asia.

“Why ‘dupe destinations’ are the latest travel twinning trend” – BBC.

At that time, we predicted: “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 were in pre-coronavirus times.”

The logical conclusion was that travelers would look for quieter, more affordable – perhaps more brag-worthy – alternatives.

And we offer a few suggestions: the ancient market town of Fuli in the Guangxi Autonomous Region, or the peaceful Xingping rather than the tourist-packed Yangshuo; sleepy Tha Ton on the Mae Kok River rather than the big visitor magnets elsewhere in Thailand; the rugged red-rock scenery of Utah rather than the much-trod and helicopter-fly-over of the United States’ Grand Canyon.

And so it happened; the crowds are returning – and spreading out (a little).

“Travel technology company Expedia was the first to mention naive destinations in its 2024 trends,” says The Hindu newspaper. (We’ll give them that one, as Expedia was arguably the first to mention dupe destinations in “their” trend reports).

Nikkei Asia states: “’Fashion Dupes’ started as a trend on TikTok with the aim of finding affordable alternatives to duplicating popular products. The same logic quickly migrated to travel in the form of naïve destinations.”

The Japanese magazine suggests swapping Bali for Thailand “because it is easier to get around, less crowded and comparatively cheaper; Lombok instead of Bali because it is lesser known and has pristine beaches like Kuta, along with rich Sasak culture and activities like volcano hiking to Mount Rinjani.

“South Korea often beats Japan because it is more economical and less crowded; and the island of Phu Quoc, in Vietnam, 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 Dumb Asia-Pacific Destinations You Didn’t Know About, Available on Marriott Bonvoy.” Each idiot suggested comes with a hotel suggestion, of course.

The premise here seems to be that you are unlikely to know these connections because they are tenuous at best.

Is Koh Samui, Thailand, a realistic “remote island” that represents Bora Bora? Are the heritage and architecture of Jaipur, India, really a substitute for the Moorish design of Morocco?

Seoul could replace the Big Apple, suggests Marriott, because the South Korean capital “features an appealing array of attractions reminiscent of New York hot spots.

“An attractive alternative to the crowded Empire State Building is the N Seoul Tower. For a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city, swap Central Park for Seoul Forest.”

For this reason, any city with a tower and a park qualifies as a replacement for New York.

In fact, 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.

Striving for authenticity (for lack of a better word) has always been the raison d’etre for a select few, so we disagree with some of the claims made in a recent Business Insider article.

“According to [Matt Berna, president of small-group tour company Intrepid Travel] young travelers are not trapped by the FOMO – or “fear of missing out” – that influenced older generations. They want to be trendsetters, going to the next cool place.”

Jumping on the bandwagon, some might call it that.

The “next cool place,” according to naive fate logic, should have some noticeable 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 “a great destination for travelers who want to avoid overcrowded attractions but still explore an Asian megacity.” It’s fair, but…

“Seoul offers an authentic and immersive cultural experience, allowing travelers to explore traditional Korean customs, arts and lifestyles in a dynamic and modern urban environment,” Intrepid Travel told Business Insider.

“This experience provides a deeper understanding of South Korea’s rich cultural heritage, which may be less accessible in the world’s most popular tourist spots.”

In other words, Seoul is interesting in its own right, as the South Korean capital, and not as a replacement for Tokyo, Japan. And there certainly shouldn’t be any “maybe” about “South Korea’s rich cultural heritage” being more accessible in Seoul than anywhere else in the world.

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 backdrop captivating for nature enthusiasts and adventurers.”

Panama is said to have a “vibrant cultural scene, influenced by its indigenous heritage, Afro-Caribbean roots and Spanish culture”.

It offers a “dynamic and diverse experience for travelers looking to immerse themselves in local traditions, folklore and contemporary arts, providing an authentic and enriching journey that differs from the more European-centric cultural landscape of Barcelona.”

So, nothing like 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 totally different experience [emphasis ours] this is incomparable in itself.

“By choosing Borneo over Bali, travelers can embark on a journey that transcends mere tourism and offers a profound appreciation of the natural wonders and cultural richness that define this remarkable destination.”

Now we are confused. Should the term “naive destinations” be used to describe literally any other place that comes to mind? Don’t visit crowded Hong Kong, go to Iceland for a very different experience.

Our advice: visit Seoul to experience Seoul, not because someone trying to sell you something tells you it’s an alternative to Tokyo or New York – or that you should go to Taipei.