Search data reveals the world’s top ‘dupe destinations’, with Kuala Lumpur emerging as the second most popular as Singapore’s ‘dupe’, or more accessible alternative destination
A term that’s been trending wildly on TikTok, a dupe destination generally refers to a more affordable or better alternative to another, comprising a holiday location where one can enjoy the charms of a dream destination without the premiums.
Appealing to travellers for its comparatively lower budgets and less crowded settings, dupe destinations are taking social media by storm. Kuala Lumpur, as a destination in particular, amassed over 18,000 Google searches in 2023, trending 916.2k times on TikTok and approximately 16 million posts on Instagram.
According to an analysis of search data, Instagram and TikTok data by travel experts 1st Move International, the top trending holiday destinations dupes start with Spain’s Valencia for Barcelona, with a dupe destination score of 9.24, followed by the next most popular dupe destination of Kuala Lumpur for Singapore, with an overall score of 7.92.
Featuring towering cityscapes surrounded by attractive green lungs and beautiful beaches, as well street food and high-end dining options galore, Singapore and Malaysia share so many similarities in the eyes of international travellers, with Singaporeans themselves frequently visiting the neighbouring state of Johor for shopping, travel, and leisure experiences at a third of the price they would spend in their home country.
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As summer kicks in with travellers on the lookout for budget-friendly options that have the most bang for their buck, there’s no denying Kuala Lumpur and indeed, Malaysia’s overall appeal as a destination with all the perks of a bustling metropolis and a haven for culture, arts, entertainment and more.
