"Duping," or looking for duplicates, became especially widespread among travelers in 2023, as prices skyrocketed. Experts foresee that this strategy will continue to be utilized in 2024, as it's not only about getting the lowest price on flights, but also saving money on hotels, food, and local transportation.
As 2023 brought expensive travel and packed destinations, Gen Z and millennial influencers on social media ushered in the concept of seeking out cheaper yet equally attractive alternatives to high priced hot spots. This trend of finding "dupes," or duplicates, of expensive products has gained immense popularity among Americans as they face increasing inflation in 2024.Jon Gieselman, president of Expedia Brands, stated that for their vacations in the new year, more people are likely looking to explore underrated destinations over tried-and-true tourist hubs.
Duplicating, or "duping," is the modern take on the age-old hobby of looking for bargains. In 2023, Expedia data indicated that travelers utilized the method more than ever. For instance, Americans searched for flights to Taipei, a substitute for nearby Seoul, at 458% higher rate and 2,786% globally. Similarly, exploration for Pattaya, Thailand as opposed to Bangkok, raised 163% in the U.S. and 249% worldwide.
Likewise, flight searches to Curaçao, a substitute for St. Martin, experienced a 228% increase in the U.S. and 185% internationally. Searches for Perth, Australia, a surrogate for Sydney, grew 33% in the U.S. and 109% around the globe. Additionally, Liverpool, England, a replacement for London, saw a 138% rise in the U.S. and 97% internationally, based on Expedia's data from the 12-month span ending Aug. 31, 2023, compared with the same period from the year prior.In a report published Wednesday, Expedia commented that “TikTok popularized the idea of dupes … and the concept is becoming more and more prevalent in the travel industry.”
Consumers often cite affordability as a primary motivation when selecting their travel destinations, Expedia revealed. Hayley Berg, lead economist at the Hopper travel app, suggested, "If you're aiming to save money on your next vacation, consider a less-traveled spot. You can generally find cheaper airfares and hotel rates by selecting a place that's off the beaten path."For instance, the median round-trip flight from the U.S. to Hanoi, Vietnam is a pricey $1,564. However, travelers could save money by flying instead to the city of Ho Chi Minh as the median round-trip flight is an average of $1,326, based on Hopper data.Similarly, if you wanted to visit Spain, you may want to book a trip to Tenerife, one of the Canary Islands, as the average round-trip flight is $827. Alternatively, you could opt for the more metropolitan Barcelona, where the mean cost of a round trip is just $572. Lastly, according to Hopper, the median round-trip fare for Phuket, Thailand is $1,705, compared to $1,404 for Bangkok. All prices are current averages for December through March departures.
This year, U.S. citizens planned more trips overseas as anxieties about the pandemic decreased and nations mostly welcomed back tourists. Passport applications hit new highs in 2022 and 2023, resulting in increases across the travel industry. Europethe top spot for American travelerswas the priciest ever for airfare during the 2023 summer season. Google Trends statistics revealed a massive jump in internet searches for travel bargains, with the most notable increases in July 2023.
Although Hopper's flight data indicates that dupes can be a way to save, travelers may need to go through various alternatives before finding the best savings. For example, the average round-trip fare from the U.S. to Perth is currently at $2,389 compared to the cost of a flight to Sydney, which is $1,572 according to Hopper. However, Hopper said that those who search for other nearby destinations such as Nadi, Fiji or Auckland, New Zealand, could spend $1,365 and $1,394 respectively. Dupes can not only save on airfare, but NerdWallet's travel expert, Sara Rathner, also mentioned that people who take more offbeat routes could also save on food, lodging, and local transportation.
To ensure a more enjoyable experience, Rathner encourages travelers to avoid "way over-touristed" destinations, particularly during the peak season where crowds can be overwhelming. She suggests researching details such as amenities, infrastructure, and safety considerations to ensure a satisfactory "dupe" destination. To get a better idea of potential itineraries, online travel articles, blogs, and recommendations from friends are helpful. Additionally, Berg advises that in order to save money on general travel, one be flexible with their trip dates. For example, flying on a Tuesday domestically or on a Monday through Wednesday internationally can save around $100-$150. Furthermore, she recommends starting a hotel stay on Sunday to avoid the higher weekend rates, as they usually come with a 25% increase.
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