Cover Kuala Lumpur emerges as the second most popular location as Singapore’s ‘dupe destination', or more accessible alternative (Photos: Unsplash)
Kuala Lumpur emerges as the second most popular location as Singapore’s ‘dupe destination', or more accessible alternative (Photos: Unsplash)
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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.
Above Malaysia's capital city of Kuala Lumpur
Above Singapore's Gardens by the Bay near the Marina Reservoir in Central Singapore
Malaysia's capital city of Kuala Lumpur
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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.
Above The top five dupe destinations compiled by 1st Move International
The top five dupe destinations compiled by 1st Move International
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Other top dupe destinations in the list include Montreal (43,200 Google searches) for Paris or New York, Baku for Dubai, Taipei for Tokyo and Seoul, and Bangalore for Silicon Valley. A look at this overall data revealed that Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, is the number one destination dupe on social media, with a collective 36.98 million posts on Instagram and TikTok.
See also: 6 incredible destinations to stretch your ringgit without regret
So whether or not you’re paying a visit to Perdana Botanical Gardens in Kuala Lumpur and secretly comparing it to Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay, good luck planning your ideal dupe destination for 2024!
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Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
