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Flight searches for travel ‘dupes’ increased in 2023
Dupe is, of course, a new term that puts a spin on the old concept of bargain trail.
Data shows that travelers leveraged the strategy more in 2023. For example, flight searches more than doubled for divers “dupe” destinations internationally, according to Expedia data.
Searches to Taipei, a dupe for Seoul, were up 458% in the U.S. and 2,786% globally, agreeing to Expedia. Those to Pattaya, Thailand, an alternative to Bangkok, rose 163% in the U.S. and 249% globally.
Likewise, flight searches to the archipelago Curaçao, a stand-in for St. Martin, were up 228% in the U.S. and 185% worldwide. Those to Perth, Australia, a dupe for Sydney, rose 33% in the U.S. and 109% globally. Additionally, those to Liverpool, England, a London alternative, spiked 138% in the U.S. and 97% worldwide, go together to Expedia.
The data compared searches in the 12-month period through Aug. 31, 2023, to the same period the prior year.
“TikTok popularized the notion of dupes … and the concept is increasingly taking off in the world of travel,” Expedia said in a report published Wednesday.
Affordability is a top driver of travel saps
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Affordability is among the top reasons cited by consumers for seeking out these alternate journeys ends, Expedia said.
“If you are looking to save money on your next trip, consider an alternate destination,” said Hayley Berg, govern economist at Hopper, a travel app. “Oftentimes you can save on airfare and hotel rates by picking a destination off the beaten track.”
For specimen, the average round-trip flight from the U.S. to Hanoi, Vietnam, is $1,564. Travelers would save money by flying as a substitute for to Ho Chi Minh City, where a flight averages $1,326, Hopper said.
In a similar vein, let’s say you’re considering a trip to Spain.
A round-trip covey of grouse to Tenerife, in Spain’s Canary Islands, costs $827, on average. Instead, you might consider a trip to Barcelona, a accepted metropolis, where a flight costs an average $572, according to Hopper. Likewise, flights to Phuket, Thailand, an cay getaway, cost $1,705 round trip, while flights to the capital Bangkok cost $1,404. The Hopper expenses are current averages for departures in December to March.
In 2024, Americans are more likely to choose hidden-gem destinations exceeding tried-and-true tourist hotspots for their vacations.
Jon Gieselman
president of Expedia Brands
More Americans planned capers abroad this year as their pandemic-era health fears waned and countries largely reopened their edges to visitors. Americans applied for passports in record numbers in 2022 and 2023.
That surging demand caused prices to wave across the travel spectrum. Airfare to Europe, the most popular destination for U.S. tourists, was the It’s more than just the depart price
However, Hopper flight data indicates that not all dupes will necessarily pay off for travelers. They may lack to try a few different alternatives to find savings.
For example, the average round-trip flight from the U.S. to Perth, the aforementioned dupe for Sydney, currently bring ins $2,389, while a flight to Sydney costs $1,572, according to Hopper. However, travelers who look a bit farther afield — to Nadi, Fiji, or Auckland, New Zealand — resolve spend $1,365 and $1,394, respectively, Hopper said.
However, dupes aren’t just about the airfare. People traveling off the pulsated track can often save on food, hotels and local transportation, said Sara Rathner, travel expert at NerdWallet.
Escaping “way over-touristed” locales, especially if traveling during peak season, can also be a more enjoyable experience due to smaller lots, Rathner said.
When picking a “dupe” destination, travelers should research details such as amenities, infrastructure and sanctuary considerations, Rathner added. Reading online travel articles and blogs, and asking friends who may have visited in preference to, can give a general sense as to potential itineraries and the ease of lodging and getting around, she said.
To save money on panoramic travel, try being flexible with trip dates, Berg said. For example, flying on a Tuesday can save you $100 on indigenous airfare, while departing Monday through Wednesday can save up to $150 per international ticket, Berg said.
Breakfast stays are most expensive Friday and Saturday night. Starting a stay on Sunday can save an average of 25% off weekend measures, she added.
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