Ljubljana, Slovenia
Travel is back to pre-pandemic highs, and with that increase comes crowding, cost hikes, new travel taxes, hotel fees and over-tourism in popular destinations across the globe. Enter the “Destination Dupe” - a more budget-friendly and less-crowded “twin” of a popular vacation destination. This travel trend sees tourists visiting lesser-known places and spreading the economic benefits to new areas. Sustainability has also been positively affected by the trend.
Venice, Italy
Cities like Venice, Italy, have suffered greatly from over-tourism. Venice's charming historic center is typically visited by more than 20 million tourists every year. The city's fragile landscape is not able to support the many visitors it receives. In order to combat over-tourism, in 2024, the city of Venice instituted an experimental tax for tourist day visitors to access the city center. It is not yet known if this tax has successfully repelled enough tourists or gained the revenue intended by local government.
Many tourists looking for a Venice-like experience, or a "destination dupe", on a budget have travelled to Ljubljana, Slovenia instead. This picturesque city has been referred to as the "Venice of the Alps," known for its beautiful canals, cathedrals and colorful buildings nestled against a gorgeous backdrop. It's not Venice, but the travel experience in visiting Ljubljana is strikingly similar, at a fraction of the cost. Visitors can amble along winding canals, take in character-laden streets, lunch on local delights in street-side cafes and tour historic museums. The place is different, but the overall vacation vibe is similar.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Some "destination Dupes" may also offer the best of both worlds. For example, you decide to plan a trip to Spain and choose to stay in Girona, instead of Barcelona. The medieval city of Girona sits 53 miles northeast of Barcelona, and is a short, 40-minute train ride away. With this one move you would save an average of 60% on the total cost of your vacation, experience less crowding, and gain easy access to other nearby Costa Brava cities. Girona has excellent regional restaurants, lodging and museums. And you can still daytrip to Barcelona to view Gaudi’s architectural and Picasso's canvas masterpieces! This example illustrates why destination dupes have become the hottest travel trend of 2024.
Another destination swap is Cozumel, for the Riviera Maya, Mexico. Cozumel is a less-crowded, less-developed, budget-friendly alternative. On the island of Cozumel, you will experience similar accommodations, great restaurants and gorgeous beaches, just like the more visited Riviera Maya Coastline - but at a more reasonable cost. Flights into Cozumel run multiple times daily. The island is only a short ferry ride from Playa del Carmen and Cancun for those that want to explore the archaeological ruins at Tulum or Chichen Itza. Additionally, Cozumel is world-renown for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Cozumel, Mexico
There are many “Destination Dupes” around the globe - Ghent for Bruges, Belgium; Liverpool for London, U.K.; and Seville for Madrid, Spain; to name a few. If you are thinking of travelling to a possibly pricey, popular tourist location - you may want to consider a “destination dupe" for your next vacation. Contact Nicole at the GO LUXE Travel Company for more ideas and expert, custom-tailored travel plans.
Ghent, Belgium
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