[Lifestyle] Wait, ‘destination duping’ is trending but what does it actually mean?

X A V I ™ · March 27

Khimsar or Khinvsar is a remote village off National Highway 62 in central Rajasthan.

With the oncoming summer season, ‘duping’ a favoured place for an underrated counterpart is gaining traction—a po[CENSORED]rly predicted trend for 2024.This year, more people are ditching touristic hotspots in search of offbeat, intentional and mostly very uninfluenced experiences with this sole aim: to dupe what major cities offer without the cliche and the crowds. Among the many travel trends set to dominate 2024, destination duping—a version of the offbeat travel and second-city travel trend—is a top contender, according to several industry leaders.It is when travellers opt for alternative, less-expensive destinations that mimic the allure of a similar, more expensive place. In short, it is looking for a comparable atmosphere without the high expense and overcrowding. “For example, travellers can explore the lively markets, camel safaris, and delectable cuisine of Bikaner, providing a cultural immersion similar to Jaipur. Instead of Kolkata, one can explore Guwahati’s cultural diversity and rich history,” says Rajeev Kale - President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa - Thomas Cook (India) Limited.“Skyscanner’s Travel in Focus 2023 report found that over 47% of Indian travellers are willing to switch their itineraries when presented with better travel deals. With Indians getting increasingly savvy with their travel planning, it is not surprising that the ‘dupe destination travel’ trend is on the rise,” said a representative of Edinburg-based travel agency Skyscanner.