The Best Destination Dupes of Most Over-Touristed City Break and Island Hotspots
Share
- City breakers should swap Paris for Bordeaux, with 80,000 fewer tourists per year –
- Swap Mallorca for less-crowded island destination dupe Menorca or Milos for Santorini –
Overtourism refers to the impact of tourism on a destination, or parts thereof, that excessively influences the perceived quality of life of citizens and/or the quality of visitor experiences in a negative way.
While pre-pandemic studies suggested the issue marginally influenced UK tourists’ decision to visit over-touristed destinations, or at least how or when they do so, a more recent study suggests growing concern as overcrowding worsens.
But the issue is, do Brits have suitable knowledge of less-crowded alternatives to popular holiday hotspots? Enter ‘destination dupes,’ a trend which offers less-crowded, yet similar equivalents for tourists to try, with millions of views on TikTok.
To help tourists looking for a suitable alternative, leading tour comparison site TourScanner has conducted a study to discover the best city-break and island destination dupes for those looking to beat the crowds by looking at similar locations and ranking them based on their difference in tourist figures.
In first place is Paris’ less-crowded destination dupe city, Bordeaux, with the French alternative welcoming more than 80 million fewer tourists a year.
Despite being Britain’s most searched destination overall, with an average of 201,000 per month, renowned for being a cultural hub steeped in rich history and iconic landmarks, it is also known for being incredibly overcrowded. Charles de-Gaulle airport sees 87 million tourists arrive there each year – seven tourists for each local – which is an issue the French government announced plans to tackle in June last year.
With significantly fewer tourists per year, Bordeaux in the South-West of the country welcomes an average of 6.4 million passengers each year and is a suitable alternative for travellers looking for a less busy yet similarly culturally enriching trip that provides plenty of historical significance, as well as good wine and food.
Salamanca in Spain’s Castile-Leon region is the second-best destination dupe identified for tourists wanting to swap the hustle and bustle of Madrid. The city which is just two hours north of the capital, welcomes 13,000 tourists compared to Madrid’s 60.2 million.
With around eight tourists to each local, it’s hardly surprising that overcrowding recently prompted officials to activate a ‘black level alert’ to ensure security and mobility in the city.
To help combat the issue, and for a more serene trip, Salamanca should definitely be considered as a smaller, yet beautiful and historic alternative with plenty to do, see and eat, including the Plaza Mayor similar to Madrid’s in its Baroque-style architecture.
Rotterdam is the third best destination dupe to discover, with nearly 59 million fewer tourists a year than Brit hotspot Amsterdam (246,000 Google searches monthly).
Amsterdam welcomes over 61 million tourists per year and has taken a number of steps to fight overtourism and rid itself of its reputation as a party destination, launching its ‘Stay Away’ campaign to stop anti-social behaviour last summer and, most recently, its ‘Renew Your View’ campaign.
Just 40 minutes away via train, Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands, with just three tourists per local compared to the capital’s 52 and nearly 59 million fewer tourists yearly. While the former does boast a slightly different, modern vibe, its arts, cultural scene and picturesque canals are beloved by visitors – and it’s much quieter.
Making up the fourth and fifth best destination dupes for popular city break destinations is Cadiz for Barcelona, Spain (49 million less), and Guadalajara for Mexico City, Mexico (43 million less).
Menorca is the Balearic Island destination dupe of popular, over-touristed holiday hotspot Mallorca. Despite the islands being relatively close in proximity, both located off mainland Spain, Menorca welcomes just over four million per year, 27 million fewer tourists than Mallorca’s 31 million.
Mallorca has become famous amongst British tourists for being a budget destination and party island (90,500 monthly searches), which boasts stunning beaches and weather – but with 70 tourists to each local threatening its beauty, it’s no surprise that drastic measures are being employed and prices raised. By opting for Menorca, tourists will not only be doing locals a favour but will likely have a much quieter, laid-back holiday with equally nice yet calm beaches and crystal-clear water.
And while Bali, Indonesia, has long been a popular destination for British tourists venturing further afield (165,000 monthly searches), its influx of tourists is too much for its insufficient infrastructure. Just 45 minutes via plane from the hotspot lies its destination dupe, Lombok, one of the Lesser Sunda Islands, relatively untouched and tranquil, with around 15 million fewer tourists yearly.
If it’s a warmer tropical climate you’re after, then Hawaii, USA, is another beloved holiday island (110,000 searches monthly), but Puerto Rico, also USA, is its destination dupe for those looking to avoid contributing to overtourism, with nearly 12 million fewer tourists a year.
Reports reveal that too many tourists are disturbing Hawaii’s tranquillity, with busy beaches and restaurants and residents facing issues like water shortages. With just over three million locals and five million tourists per year (1.72 per local), Puerto Rico might not offer Polynesian culture, but an equally rich history and vibrancy and offers scenery and experiences that will give tourists a similar taste of paradise. Plus, unlike Hawaii, there are direct flight options, which means you’ll be able to get to your destination quicker.
Making up the fourth and fifth best destination dupes for popular island break destinations are Milos for Santorini, Greece (2.6 million less), and Paros for Mykonos, Greece (1.3 million less).
Guillaume Picard, Co-Founder of TourScanner, commented on the findings:
“With over 1.1 million views on TikTok, destination dupes are a growing trend that sees tourists finding less popular and more affordable alternatives to classic holiday spots.
“Looking for alternative destinations can not only make a trip much more enjoyable but also prevents you from joining the masses at oversubscribed destinations.
“Our study crunches tourism figures to show the very best destination dupes for overcrowded locations globally, but some other ways to avoid contributing to overtourism challenges include visiting in the off-season, attending guided tours and experiences and sticking to the ‘leave no trace’ principle, to reduce your impact on the local area.”
You can view the full study here.
