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Searches for flights to ‘dupes’ have increased in 2023
Dupe, of course, is a new term that puts a twist on the old concept of bargain hunting.
Data shows that travelers will have increased their use of the strategy in 2023. For example, searches for flights to various ‘dupe’ destinations internationally have more than doubled, according to data from Expedia.
Searches for Taipei, a dupe of Seoul, rose 458% in the US and 2,786% globally, according to Expedia. Those to Pattaya, Thailand, an alternative to Bangkok, rose 163% in the US and 249% globally.
Similarly, searches for flights to the island of Curacao, a substitute for Sint Maarten, increased by 228% in the US and by 185% globally. Those to Perth, Australia, a dupe of Sydney, rose 33% in the US and 109% globally. Additionally, visitors to Liverpool, England, an alternative to London, increased by 138% in the US and 97% globally, according to Expedia.
The data compared searches in the 12 months to August 31, 2023 with the same period the year before.
“TikTok has popularized the idea of dupes … and the concept is gaining traction in the travel world,” Expedia said in a report published Wednesday.
Affordability is one of the leading causes of travel dupes
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Affordability is one of the top reasons consumers cite for seeking out these alternative destinations, according to Expedia.
“If you want to save money on your next trip, consider an alternative destination,” says Hayley Berg, chief economist at Hopper, a travel app. “You can often save on airfare and hotel rates by choosing a destination off the beaten path.”
For example, the average round-trip airfare from the US to Hanoi, Vietnam is $1,564. Travelers would save money by flying instead to Ho Chi Minh City, where a flight costs an average of $1,326, Hopper said.
Similarly, let’s say you’re considering a trip to Spain.
A round-trip flight to Tenerife, in Spain’s Canary Islands, costs an average of $827. Instead, you might consider a trip to Barcelona, a popular metropolis, where a flight costs an average of $572, according to Hopper. Similarly, flights to Phuket, Thailand, an island getaway, cost $1,705 roundtrip, while flights to the capital Bangkok cost $1,404. The Hopper prices are current averages for departures in December through March.
By 2024, Americans will be more likely to choose hidden gem destinations for their vacations than tried-and-true tourist hotspots.
Jon Gieselman
president of Expedia Brands
More Americans planned trips abroad this year as pandemic-era health fears eased and countries largely reopened their borders to visitors. Americans applied for passports in record numbers in 2022 and 2023.
This rising demand caused prices to rise across the travel spectrum. Airfares to Europe, the most popular destination for American tourists, were the most expensive on record in the summer of 2023.
According to data from Google Trends, U.S. Internet searches for travel dupes will soar in 2023, peaking in July.
It’s about more than just the flight price
However, Hopper’s flight data shows that not all dupes will necessarily pay off for travelers. They may need to try a few different alternatives to find savings.
For example, the average return flight from the US to Perth, the aforementioned dupe for Sydney, currently costs $2,389, while a flight to Sydney costs $1,572, according to Hopper. However, travelers looking a little further afield — to Nadi, Fiji or Auckland, New Zealand — would spend $1,365 and $1,394, respectively, Hopper said.
Dupes aren’t just about the plane tickets, though. People who travel off the beaten path can often save on food, hotels and local transportation, says Sara Rathner, travel expert at NerdWallet.
Avoiding “overly touristy” locations, especially if traveling during peak season, can also be a more enjoyable experience because of smaller crowds, Rathner said.
When choosing a “dupe” destination, travelers should investigate details such as amenities, infrastructure and safety considerations, Rathner added. Reading online travel articles and blogs, and asking friends who may have been there before, can give a general idea of possible itineraries and the ease of accommodation and transportation, she said.
To save money on general travel, try to be flexible with travel dates, Berg said. For example, flying on Tuesday can save you $100 on domestic airfare, while departing Monday through Wednesday can save up to $150 per international ticket, Berg said.
Hotel stays are most expensive on Friday and Saturday evenings. Staying on Sundays can save you an average of 25% on weekend rates, she added.
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