Expedia has drilled down into their travel booking data and a global consumer survey of 20,000 travellers to reveal a comprehensive look at what’s motivating travellers, and where they’re going next year. 

One thing we found particularly interesting in their findings was the “destination dupe” trend. The “dupe” trend — affordable alternatives to popular products — that has flooded TikTok feeds is now taking over travel. 

Expedia’s 2024 destinations of the year are destination dupes — places that are a little unexpected, sometimes more affordable, and every bit as delightful as the tried-and-true destinations travellers love. It’s little surprise that cheap and cheerful alternatives are gaining traction, considering the cost of living crisis.

The 2024 destination dupes in the list below all experienced a notable uptick in searches over the past year. In fact, global searches for the top five destinations on the list more than doubled YoY …

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So here we go:

Taipei (dupe for Seoul)

First we were all about Tokyo, then Seoul was flavour of the month, now it seems Taiwan’s capital is having its moment in the sun.

Taipei had a staggering 2,786 per cent increase in flight searches year on year, according to Expedia. So what’s the appeal?

Taiwan’s culture capital is a world of fascinating contrasts – a mix of the modern and traditional, with a generous dash of energy and friendly smiles. Incense – veiled temples dating back to dynastic times blend seamlessly with a neon street life of a decidedly more modern era. Taipei has world-class restaurants where gourmets can sample the best regional Chinese cuisine; and for the gourmand, there are plenty of night markets serving up late night snacks in an environment of chaotic excitement and fun. You’ll also get more bang for your buck than you do in other big Asian cities. 

Pattaya (dupe for Bangkok)

Less than two hours’ drive from Bangkok, Pattaya has always been one of the most popular destinations for beach holidays for Bangkok locals and expats. And now international travellers are cottoning onto its charms.

The city is a crowd-pleaser, with a wide range of recreational activities, cultural, sight-seeing and natural attractions. Pattaya is also home to several world-class golf courses and one of Thailand’s biggest Muay Thai training centre.

Paros (dupe for Santorini)

Don’t want to tackle the crowds at Santorini? Set your sights on Paros instead. With great mountain biking, excellent restaurants, and a “small, typical Greek island” feel, during lockdown Paros was named by Flight Centre CEO Graham “Skroo” Turner as his No.1 international destination to head to once borders opened.

Curaçao (dupe for St. Martin)

The Caribbean is not on the wish-list of many Aussie travellers, as it’s not particularly easy to get to. But trawling through photos of Curaçao – an island many of us had never heard of – had us toying with the idea of taking out an ill-advised loan to get there. It is stunningly beautiful.

The Dutch Caribbean island is known for its beaches tucked into coves, and expansive coral reefs rich with marine life, making it a dream destination for divers. The capital, Willemstad, has pastel-coloured colonial architecture that is just begging to be photographed for Instagram.

Perth (dupe for Sydney)

The west coast of Australia is often overlooked by travellers, but with beaches like Turquoise Bay and Misery Beach being named among the best beaches in the world, it’s starting to get more attention. With its temperate climate, Perth is a less hectic (and often less expensive) introduction into coastal Aussie city life for overseas visitors.

Liverpool (dupe for London)

From the Beatles to Frankie Goes to Hollywood and hosting Eurovision in 2023 on behalf of Ukraine, Liverpool is a UNESCO City of Music with seriously cool credentials.

With a powerful love of footy and vibrant neighbourhoods to explore (hit the Georgian Quarter for brunch and have dinner in the Baltic triangle), Liverpool also boasts an arts scene that gives the city a thumping energy (fun fact: there are more galleries and museums here than any other city outside London).

Palermo (dupe for Lisbon)

Dripping in fascinating history and boasting killer cuisine, this Sicilian city has an idyllic Mediterranean climate and electric nightlife. It also boasts more UNESCO world heritage sites than you can poke a stick at.

Quebec City (dupe for Geneva)

With a city lined with beautiful cobblestone streets, lively French Canadian culture, and a wealth of interesting restaurants, Quebec is one of North America’s real gems when it comes to travel. It’s particularly magical and romantic in winter and is famed for its natural beauty, from peaceful lakes to rolling rivers to the glacial valley in Jacques-Cartier National Park. 

Sapporo (dupe for Zermatt)

The Royal family loves skiing in the Swiss ski resort of Zermatt, but that might all change when they hear about the charms of Japan’s Sapporo.

As a popular winter resort destination, Japan’s fifth-largest city also offers a wealth of culture, art, and natural beauty, alongside its ski slopes, neon nightlife, and compelling food scene.

Memphis (dupe for Nashville)

Conde Nast Traveler named Memphis one of the 23 best places to go in 2023, saying “Nashville claims a lot of national buzz, but the city of Memphis has been quietly reshaping itself to be the hottest destination in Tennessee. Over the past decade, its downtown has invested billions in revitalisation projects—and now, visitors can begin reaping the benefits”.

This story originally appeared on escape.com.au. It has been reproduced here with permission. 

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