"Copies" are just as beautiful as the originals of famous destinations, but the prices are surprisingly cheap.

Alternative destinations can offer a better travel experience

From Liverpool to London, Paros to Santorini, and Curacao to St Martin, according to travel tech company Expedia, finding “replicas” of famous landmarks is one of the biggest travel trends of 2024. According to the BBC, many travelers today are trying to avoid popular destinations in favor of lesser-known, more budget-friendly options that offer similar experiences without the cost and crowds.

Around the world , tourism has seen a major rebound after the pandemic. With air passenger traffic reaching nearly 95% of pre-pandemic levels by 2023, many destinations are now promoting some form of tourist tax as a solution to reduce concerns about overtourism.

Lavina Dsouza, a creative based in Leeds, UK, says she did the same thing long before the term was coined. “I would randomly search for similar destinations to Bruges and ended up finding Ghent. When I actually visited Bruges it was extremely crowded and I realised I had a much better time in Ghent,” she says.

Palawan in the Philippines is considered the "ideal alternative" to the Maldives.

Over the years, Dsouza has also traveled to Palawan in the Philippines (instead of the Maldives) and Liverpool (instead of plunking down money for London).

Janavi Iyer, a traveler from Vadodara, India, says the trend is growing in popularity. Janavi reveals that when she researched less crowded, more affordable beach holidays, she decided that Türkiye’s Bodrum coast would be the perfect alternative to St. Tropez. “We live in an age where off-season travel is no longer possible, so this is the best way to plan your holiday, as it combines affordability, authenticity and allows you to escape the crowds,” she says.

Hawaii (Left) and Lord Howe Island (Right)

According to Expedia's list, popular alternative travel destinations around the world include Taipei (Taiwan, China) instead of Seoul (South Korea), Perth instead of Sydney (Australia), Pattaya instead of Bangkok (Thailand), Palermo instead of Lisbon (Portugal), Quebec City instead of Geneva (Switzerland) and Memphis instead of Nashville (USA).

“They are all unexpected destinations, sometimes more affordable but just as exciting as the famous places that many people love,” Melanie Fish, manager of Expedia Brands, wrote in a company report.

Expedia also reported a significant increase in searches for “alternative destinations” over the past year, with global searches for Expedia’s top five destinations more than doubling year-on-year. Searches for Taipei increased 2,786% globally, while searches for Pattaya increased 249%. Flight searches for other alternative regions also skyrocketed: 185% for Curaçao, 109% for Perth, and 97% for Liverpool.

A 2023 study by Skyscanner revealed that a whopping 93% of travelers have considered an alternative destination

Dsouza said traveling to an alternative destination would be better because “not only is it cheaper, but there are also fewer crowds to deal with, allowing travelers to get a feel for the new destination without having to rush and spend too much.”

She added: “Visiting the underground river in Palawan will be one of my most memorable activities ever. Meanwhile, Liverpool surprised me because the museums are huge and the prices are not expensive. Plus, you still have the same weather and food as you would in the country!”

Helen Barber from Sheffield, England, has visited an alternative destination in the past and would definitely consider it again. “I love the sense of adventure and discovering new things,” she says. “These destinations tend to be less crowded, have fewer lines, are cheaper and often offer a more authentic feel to the culture.”

As costs continue to rise, the trend becomes more attractive. By 2023, Forbes Advisor predicts, a three-day vacation for a family of four will cost an average of about $4,000. Round-trip flights to Europe will cost 32% more that year than they will in 2022.

Greek Island (left) and Rottnest Island (right)

A 2023 study by Skyscanner found that 93% of travellers had considered an alternative destination, with around 64% saying the savings helped them make their decision. Skyscanner's suggestions included Belfast (instead of London), Girona (instead of Barcelona), Krakow (instead of Rome) and Seville (instead of Madrid).

“These locations, be it islands in Thailand or the Indian Ocean, are just as worth travelling to as more far-flung popular destinations, but cost less and offer a more diverse range of experiences,” says Iyer.

Rikant Pittie, co-founder of travel tech company EaseMyTrip, believes the trend of finding alternative destinations will ultimately foster a “win-win scenario for both destinations and travelers, enhancing the overall travel experience with the scope to positively impact the local economy and promote sustainable tourism practices.”

He added that data from their website revealed that bookings had shifted from destinations such as the Maldives to the Seychelles and Lakshadweep, from Thailand to Vietnam and from Dubai to Saudi Arabia. “This shift reflects a shift in travelers’ preferences to explore similar destinations,” he said.

Maybe it's time to visit Fontainebleau instead of Versailles, Lake Maggiore instead of Lake Como and the Faroe Islands instead of Iceland.

TB (according to Vietnamnet)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/ban-sao-dep-khong-kem-ban-chinh-cua-cac-diem-den-noi-tieng-gia-lai-re-bat-ngo-378932.html