Destination dupes – Albania for Greece, Zanzibar for Bora Bora – cheaper and just as good

Holiday hotspots are expensive and overcrowded, so why not try alternative ‘dupe’ destinations that are similar, but less busy or expensive

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Ksamil Island in Albania, as attractive as a Greek island but much cheaper and less crowded, is an example of a “destination dupe” - somewhere similar to a popular holiday destination but without the crowds and high prices. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 6:15pm, 18 Jun 2024Updated: 11:15am, 25 Jun 2024

Best friends Niki Costa, 26, and Tiffany Schiro, 27, have been travelling together since 2018, and are co-founders of the business Went There Loved That, which provides travel guides, itineraries and tips.

Their travel schedule involves sometimes forgoing the most popular spots, as the Los Angeles-based duo look at more cost-effective options, including “destination dupes” – places that are similar in look and feel to popular locations but are cheaper and often less busy.

One of their favourites is Albania.

“It is a gorgeous country with some of the best beach cities we’ve been to, and is similar to Greece,” says Costa. Although they would never recommend picking one country above the other, “We encourage people to also check out Albania for a more affordable and less touristy experience.”

For Niki Costa (right) and Tiffany Schiro (left), cost is important, but dupe travel is also about exploring lesser known places. Photo: Niki Costa and Tiffany Schiro

The term “destination dupes” was reportedly first used on social media, as an extension of the “fashion dupes” concept – affordable alternatives to popular clothing items and accessories.