Skip tourist hotspots for lesser-known travel destinations that are unexpected, more a ordable and every bit as delightful for an unforgettable holiday, minus the crowds
Pradesh’s Gandikota Hills known as India’s Grand Canyon, and tea estates in Munnar resembling the Cameron Highlands in Malaysia.
“In a way that is kind of what I have been doing these last few years,” says Phalguni Desai, programme coordinator, Goethe-Institut Mumbai. The self-confessed ‘mountain person’ would often travel to Dharamshala and Nainital, but now prefers Mirik, a small town in West Bengal. “It has all the things I loved about going to the hills…forests, people living in a unique culture, a food and culture that is familiar but also di erent, and a softer hill vibe.”
Elisa Robles Fraga, director of Spain Tourism Board says, “Dupes often possess incredible yet overlooked cultural and natural heritage due to limited promotion or overshadowing by other destinations.” She adds that the growing appeal of Valencia or
Malaga to Indian tourists can be attributed to improved international ight connections, their Mediterranean location, and renowned gastronomy, positioning them as good dupes of Barcelona.
Owen believes that a key reason for this shift in behaviour is over-tourism, but it has its benets. “Over-touristed locations have a chance to recuperate and these newly discovered destinations get some attention and, ideally, some love,” he says.
A destination dupe may be a good idea when the original place is su ering from overtourism, but it brings other concerns to the fore: is the new place ready to be a ‘replacement’? Does such a comparison take away from the individual characteristics of the place? “When we choose a lesser-known destination, that place becomes famous for it and what if it goes down the same trajectory. How many layers of duping can you do then?” asks Shivya Nath, a travel blogger at The Shooting Star who promotes slow travel. “We are not addressing the root cause of the problem, namely, why do you need to nd a destination dupe?” On the positive side, she adds, “It may help people look at their own choices as travellers, and make them conscious about the way they travel”.
To be a better traveller, Shivya suggests you ask yourself what motivates you to travel and choose a place accordingly, instead of going with what is trending or showing up
Instagram on reels.
“The Mediterranean jewel of Valencia [appointed the European Green Capital 2024] has been slowly attracting more and more visitors looking for the gastronomy and multicultural ambience Barcelona was offering,” says Elisa. In terms of gastronomy, just like Barcelona, Valencia offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as fine dining restaurants.
◣