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Flight searches for journey ‘dupes’ elevated in 2023
Dupe is, after all, a brand new time period that places a spin on the previous idea of cut price searching.
Information reveals that vacationers leveraged the technique extra in 2023. For instance, flight searches greater than doubled for a number of “dupe” locations internationally, in keeping with Expedia information.
Searches to Taipei, a dupe for Seoul, had been up 458% within the U.S. and a couple of,786% globally, in keeping with Expedia. These to Pattaya, Thailand, an alternative choice to Bangkok, rose 163% within the U.S. and 249% globally.
Likewise, flight searches to the island Curaçao, a stand-in for St. Martin, had been up 228% within the U.S. and 185% worldwide. These to Perth, Australia, a dupe for Sydney, jumped 33% within the U.S. and 109% globally. Moreover, these to Liverpool, England, a London various, spiked 138% within the U.S. and 97% worldwide, in keeping with Expedia.
The information in contrast searches within the 12-month interval by Aug. 31, 2023, to the identical interval the prior 12 months.
“TikTok popularized the concept of dupes … and the idea is more and more taking off on the earth of journey,” Expedia stated in a report printed Wednesday.
Affordability is a prime driver of journey dupes
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Affordability is among the many prime causes cited by shoppers for searching for out these alternate locations, Expedia stated.
“In case you are wanting to save cash in your subsequent journey, contemplate an alternate vacation spot,” stated Hayley Berg, lead economist at Hopper, a journey app. “Oftentimes it can save you on airfare and lodge charges by choosing a vacation spot off the crushed observe.”
For instance, the common round-trip flight from the U.S. to Hanoi, Vietnam, is $1,564. Vacationers would get monetary savings by flying as an alternative to Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, the place a flight averages $1,326, Hopper stated.
In the same vein, to illustrate you are contemplating a visit to Spain.
A round-trip flight to Tenerife, in Spain’s Canary Islands, prices $827, on common. As a substitute, you may contemplate a visit to Barcelona, a preferred metropolis, the place a flight prices a mean $572, in keeping with Hopper. Likewise, flights to Phuket, Thailand, an island getaway, value $1,705 spherical journey, whereas flights to the capital Bangkok value $1,404. The Hopper costs are present averages for departures in December to March.
In 2024, People are extra probably to decide on hidden-gem locations over tried-and-true vacationer hotspots for his or her holidays.
Jon Gieselman
president of Expedia Manufacturers
Extra People deliberate journeys overseas this 12 months as their pandemic-era well being fears waned and nations largely reopened their borders to guests. People utilized for passports in file numbers in 2022 and 2023.
That surging demand induced costs to surge throughout the journey spectrum. Airfare to Europe, the preferred vacation spot for U.S. vacationers, was the most costly on file in summer season 2023.
Web search visitors within the U.S. for journey dupes spiked all through 2023, peaking in July, in keeping with Google Tendencies information.
It is extra than simply the flight worth
Nonetheless, Hopper flight information signifies that not all dupes will essentially repay for vacationers. They might have to attempt a number of completely different options to search out financial savings.
For instance, the common round-trip flight from the U.S. to Perth, the aforementioned dupe for Sydney, presently prices $2,389, whereas a flight to Sydney prices $1,572, in keeping with Hopper. Nonetheless, vacationers who look a bit farther afield — to Nadi, Fiji, or Auckland, New Zealand — would spend $1,365 and $1,394, respectively, Hopper stated.
Nonetheless, dupes aren’t simply concerning the airfare. Individuals touring off the crushed observe can typically save on meals, motels and native transportation, stated Sara Rathner, journey professional at NerdWallet.

Avoiding “manner over-touristed” locales, particularly if touring throughout peak season, will also be a extra pleasing expertise as a consequence of smaller crowds, Rathner stated.
When choosing a “dupe” vacation spot, vacationers ought to analysis particulars equivalent to facilities, infrastructure and security concerns, Rathner added. Studying on-line journey articles and blogs, and asking associates who could have visited earlier than, can provide a normal sense as to potential itineraries and the benefit of lodging and getting round, she stated.
To save cash on normal journey, attempt being versatile with journey dates, Berg stated. For instance, flying on a Tuesday can prevent $100 on home airfare, whereas departing Monday by Wednesday can save as much as $150 per worldwide ticket, Berg stated.
Lodge stays are most costly Friday and Saturday night time. Beginning a keep on Sunday can save a mean of 25% off weekend charges, she added.
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