Have you ever considered the potential for transformation that comes from letting go of the familiar and venturing into the unknown? The Year of ‘Destination Dupes’, according to Expedia Group, is 2024! The emergence of ‘destination dupes’ is a fascinating development that is gaining center-stage among the maelstrom of 2024 travel trends. Travellers are fascinated by a world of reasonably priced reproductions, where the essence of well-known sites is skillfully recreated instead of being restricted to the expense of expensive travel. The regret over costly trips fades in this age of invention, giving rise instead to the attraction of these painstakingly made replicas.
Growth of ‘destination dupes’: The tourist industry has seen a surge in destination dupes in recent years, which range from miniature versions of the famous Eiffel Tower to theme parks with fairytale themes. Travellers’ tastes are changing, and this trend shows that they want engaging experiences without the high cost. A tantalising look into the essence of iconic places is provided by destination dupes, which range from expansive theme parks reproducing the ambience of far-flung destinations to more—all within the budget-conscious adventurer’s reach.
Accessibility and affordability: Studies show that although Indians are travelling more frequently, they are choosing to travel domestically rather than abroad. Approximately 1.7 billion leisure trips were taken by Indians in the past few years; most of them were domestic travel excursions. Only approximately 1% of Indian tourists travelled overseas, according to reports from Booking.com and McKinsey. For this reason, accessibility and cost are the main draws of destination dupes! Budgetary restrictions are a primary deterrent to travel. In the past, many travellers may have found it financially unfeasible to explore new places, as it involves substantial costs for lodging, transportation, and sightseeing. On the other hand, ‘destination dupes’ provide travellers an affordable substitute for enchanted locations, enabling them to see new places without going beyond budget.
Without hustle: According to recent data from Schengen Visa Info, visa rejections cost Indians around INR 90 crore in lost revenue in 2022. There appears to be a notable upsurge in the quantity of individuals applying for Schengen visas, which is causing a rise in the number of visa refusals. The hassle of travelling overseas includes organising lodging, making travel plans, and obtaining a visa. A first-time traveller may find the entire process intimidating. The procedure is difficult, time-consuming, and complicated all at once. However, destination dupes locally remove the requirement for visa applications. Travellers may plan and start their vacations more spontaneously and with fewer bureaucratic obstacles to overcome when they don’t have to deal with the inconvenience of getting visas.
Linguistic barrier: Communication difficulties are one of the most obvious effects of the language barrier. When one does not comprehend the language, simple tasks like placing an order for meals, asking for directions, or requesting assistance might become difficult. People find it challenging to communicate with locals in a number of non-English speaking nations, such as France, Indonesia, Malaysia, and others. An interesting trend among Indian travellers is shown by a recent Booking.com survey where many people are anxious and fear language obstacles, which makes them reluctant to embrace new places and activities even when they would like to. The poll revealed an unexpected finding that indicated a significant discrepancy between their expectations for travel and the difficulties they actually face. Travellers find it simple to communicate while visiting destinations in India, a linguistically varied nation with the ideal balance of native language and English, thanks to ‘destination dupes.’
Overpopulation: The main cause of the congestion is the high tourist season, which is particularly intense around New Year’s Eve. Popular tourist destinations frequently experience a surge of tourists, which makes passage through crowded areas difficult and causes lengthy lines. The quality of travel experiences and the general allure of a site can be impacted by the presence of crowds. “While some tourist destinations struggle to attract visitors, others, like Ayodhya, Tirupathi, Jerusalem, Vatican City, and Mecca, face the challenge of overcrowding,” says D. Ramachandran, Co-Chairman of the FTCCI Tourism Committee. “While Vatican City receives close to 8 million people annually, Ayodhya is expected to get over 5 crore visitors in the upcoming year. Furthermore, in 2023, over 13.5 million Muslims made the Umrah trip. Even if tourism contributes to economic prosperity, there are drawbacks. Problems with overtourism include gridlock in the streets, strain on the infrastructure, pollution, littering, destruction of historical buildings, deterioration of the environment, and disrespect for regional traditions and customs. The preservation of these beloved locations and the growth of sustainable tourism depend on addressing these issues.” Travellers are increasingly using “destination dupes” to escape the busiest travel seasons and discover new areas in an effort to allay worries about crowding when traveling. This may lead to shorter lines, better photo ops, and an overall more laid-back and joyful experience.
Travel enthusiast Prem has visited seven nations such as Slovakia, Germany, Austria, Hungary, France, and Switzerland. He discusses the difficulties he encountered travelling and his opinion on ‘destination dupes.’ “A lot of paperwork and documentation require extra money; the process is time-consuming, and people who initially started travelling take time to get their hands on the process,” he says in explaining his experience with visa requirements. “The only times when the crowd is not there are early mornings to enjoy the beauty of it, and the peak seasons are always overcrowded, and I had to wait for two to three hours,” he says in response to questions about the crowding. He talks about Kashmir as a potential replacement for Switzerland. Kashmir is dubbed the ‘Switzerland of India’ for good reason—its gorgeous valleys and affordable prices contribute to its allure. In expressing his opinions on this newest travel craze, he claims that while travelling overseas offers a distinct atmosphere and experience, ‘destination dupes’ in India are starting to gain popularity as hassle-free, inexpensive options for exploring unusual locations.
Destination duping is a growing practice that travel writer Manjulika strongly opposes, saying, “I am not in favour of ‘destination duping’ because somewhere down the line it will kill the enthusiasm for offbeat gems as well.” She does, however, concur that while it undoubtedly helps people find similar experiences and save money, there will always be negatives. She asserts, “Until now, these places were supposed to be for curious travellers only, but now they may have to bear the brunt of over-tourism.” When we questioned whether destination duping is authentic, she responded, “When we say duping, it is definitely distanced from authenticity.” She says, “A destination should be known for its own allure rather than as a dupe for another place. Even when you are travelling to popular countries, look for smaller cities and towns instead of just checking the box of the well-known attractions,” is one of the alternatives she offers. “Experiencing new things and saving money can also be achieved by travelling to less well-known locations. Thus, travellers should prioritise going to unusual locations and seeing the area in all of its true glory rather than only visiting the dupes.”
Options for ‘destination dupes’: According to internet travel company Skyscanner, the following are the destination dupes in India.
Kalpa Village, Himachal Pradesh: Go to Kalpa Village in the Kinnaur district to get away from the bustle of Shimla. Savour the foggy mountains, hike the Kinner Kailash Parikrama, and take in the stunning architecture of Tibetan pagodas. For a peaceful experience, visit the Narayan-Nagini temple, the Hu-Bu-Lan-Kar monastery, and Chakka Peak.
Gokarna, Karnataka: Get away from the bustle of Goa and enjoy a tranquil beach vacation. Unwind on Kudle Beach, pick up a surfboard at Om Beach, and take in the peaceful shoreline. For an unforgettable trip, visit revered locations like the Mahabaleshwar Temple and look for dolphins.
Khimsar, Rajasthan: For a taste of a secluded village, head away from Jaipur’s throng of tourists and explore Khimsar instead. Savour a ride on a camel. Experience a true cultural immersion by exploring a man-made oasis, riding a camel to Khimsar Fort, and staying in Rajasthani ‘Dhani’ huts.
Lachen, Sikkim: Explore the gastronomic and ecological treasures of Northern Sikkim’s Lachen. See animals at Kanchenjunga National Park, hike to high-altitude lakes such as Guru Dongmar Lake, and visit Rhododendron Sanctuary in the spring.
Kerala’s Vagamon: Discover the allure of tea estates in this tranquil neighbour of Ooty. For a tranquil hill station getaway, take a boat ride on Vagamon Lake, walk the Barren Hills, and visit Vagamon Falls.
Statue of Emptiness: A sculpture by Romanian artist Albert György, it was originally displayed in Geneva, Switzerland. Recreated by Kapil Kapoor, this interesting artwork is located on the outskirts of Hyderabad, close to Khajaguda Lake. The sculpture shows a guy with a hollowed-out torso and his head down low.
Bali swings: Guests can soar across verdant tropical landscapes with breath-taking views of Indonesia’s thrilling and gorgeous Bali swings. Visitors can enjoy a thrilling copy of the Bali swing at Varkala, Kerala, now.
