KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 (Bernama) -- Holafly has identified the best international alternatives to some of the world's most iconic travel destinations in its first Travel Dupe Index, which compares visual and cultural similarity, accommodation costs, overtourism, accessibility and social momentum.
According to Holafly in a statement, destinations such as Venice, Aspen, Kyoto and Ibiza remain enduringly popular, but travellers are increasingly seeking comparable scenery and cultural experiences without the crowds, queues and higher prices associated with major tourist hotspots.
Unlike traditional "dupe" rankings, every alternative in the index is located in a different country from the destination it replaces, allowing travellers to discover a genuinely new destination while retaining a similar atmosphere and appeal.
The study found that the strongest alternative to Venice is Ghent, Belgium, whose mediaeval canals and historic architecture offer a similar experience while facing significantly lower tourism pressure.
The ranking also highlights Banff, Canada, as an alternative to Aspen, United States; Jeonju, South Korea, instead of Kyoto, Japan; and Budva, Montenegro, instead of Ibiza, Spain, with travellers saving up to 83 per cent on accommodation costs, depending on the destination.
Holafly said international travel dupes are emerging as an alternative to overtourism, enabling visitors to enjoy similar landscapes, architecture and cultural experiences while reducing travel costs and avoiding peak visitor numbers.
To compile the index, Holafly compared 10 iconic destinations with international alternatives using a weighted scoring model. The destinations were assessed based on visual and cultural similarity, accommodation savings, overtourism contrast, accessibility, and social momentum, including social media and online search trends.
The company added that each alternative had to be located in a different country from the original destination, with the methodology designed to highlight destinations that offer similar experiences, better value and fewer crowds while encouraging travellers to discover new places.
-- BERNAMA
