“2024 Travel Trends: Destination Ducks” – The Hindu.
“These 9 destinations feel like the real deal” – National Geographic.
“The ‘Tricked Destinations’ Boom Hits Social Media” – Nikkei Asia.
“Why 'destination ducks' are the latest travel trend” – BBC.
At the time, we said: “The huge pent-up demand for international travel means alpha attractions around the world are likely to be even busier than before coronavirus once all pandemic-related travel restrictions are lifted.” I predicted it.
The logical conclusion was that travelers would look for quieter, more affordable, and perhaps more bragging-worthy alternatives.
And we made some suggestions. Instead of tourist-filled Yangshuo, it's Fuli, an ancient cobblestone market town in Guangxi Autonomous Region, or quiet Xingping. Elsewhere in Thailand, sleepy Thaton on the Maekok River attracts tourists. The rugged red rock landscape of Utah, not the much-trampled Grand Canyon in the United States and the helicopter ride over it.
And it happened. The crowds are back and fanning out (a bit).
“Travel tech company Expedia was the first to mention destination camo in its 2024 trends,” reports The Hindu. (I'm pretty sure Expedia was the first to mention destination camo in “their” trend report, so I'll give it to them).
Nikkei Asia declares: “'Fashion Camo' started as a trend on her TikTok aimed at finding affordable alternatives to replicating popular products. The same logic applies to travel in the form of deceiving destinations. I moved on right away.”
A Japan-based news magazine proposes turning Bali into Thailand. The island is called Lombok rather than Bali because of its lesser-known pristine beaches such as Kuta, as well as its rich Sasak culture and activities such as volcanic trekking to Mount Rinjani.
“South Korea often beats Japan because it has a bigger budget and is less crowded. You can also swap Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island for Thailand's Phuket for a more relaxing experience.”
Deception is a simple idea that is easy to apply. We recently received an email promising to reveal “His 5 Destinations in Asia Pacific You Didn't Know Available at Marriott Bonvoy.” Of course, each proposed duck comes with a proposed hotel.
The assumption here seems to be that these connections are tenuous at best, so you're unlikely to know about them.
Is Koh Samui in Thailand a realistic “remote island” of Bora Bora? Are the heritage and architecture of Jaipur, India really an alternative to Morocco's Moorish design?
Marriott suggests that South Korea's capital, Seoul, “could serve as an alternative to the Big Apple, with many attractive attractions reminiscent of New York hotspots.”
“An attractive alternative to the crowded Empire State Building is the N Seoul Tower. For a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, replace Central Park with Seoul Forest.”
In that sense, the city with its towers and parks qualifies as an alternative city to New York.
The fact is that some travelers always avoid crowds, but it is not until such behavior is declared and promoted as a “trend” that entirely new destinations are set on the path to ruin. It's only now.
Searching for authenticity (for lack of a better word) has always been the raison d'être of a significant minority of people, so we echo some of the claims made in a recent Business Insider article. I object.
“according to [Matt Berna, president of small-group tour company Intrepid Travel] Young travelers don't suffer from the FOMO, or “fear of missing out,” that affected older generations. They want to go to the next cool place and be trendsetters. ”
Some people may jump on the bandwagon and say so.
According to the logic of destination deception, the “next cool place” should have some obvious similarities to the previous cool place. But here's where things get weird.
Intrepid recommends Seoul as a “dummy” to Tokyo, saying the South Korean capital is “a great destination for travelers looking to explore Asia's metropolis while avoiding crowded tourist spots.” That's enough though…
“Seoul offers an authentic and immersive cultural experience, allowing travelers to explore Korea's traditional customs, art, and lifestyle in a dynamic, modern urban environment,” Intrepid Travel told Business Insider.
“This experience provides a deeper understanding of Korea's rich cultural heritage, which may be difficult to access in popular tourist destinations around the world.”
In other words, Seoul is interesting in its own right as the capital of South Korea, rather than as an alternative to Japan's Tokyo. And certainly there is no “might” that “Korea's rich cultural heritage” is more accessible in Seoul than elsewhere in the world.
Our advice: Visit Seoul to see Seoul, not because someone trying to sell you something says it's an alternative to Tokyo or New York.
Even more bizarrely, Intrepid advises travelers to visit the Central American country of Panama instead of Barcelona, Spain. “Panama's diverse natural landscape, including lush rainforests, exotic wildlife, and pristine beaches, provides a fascinating backdrop for nature lovers and adventure seekers.”
Panama is said to have a “vibrant cultural scene influenced by indigenous traditions, Afro-Caribbean roots, and Spanish culture.”
“We offer a dynamic and diverse experience for travelers who want to immerse themselves in local tradition, folklore and contemporary art, offering an authentic and enriching journey that differs from the Eurocentric cultural landscape of Barcelona.”
I mean, there's nothing like Spanish cities. They're not even on the same continent.
Intrepid also suggests Borneo as a replacement for Bali.
“While Bali is undoubtedly a stunning destination with beautiful beaches and a rich cultural heritage, Borneo has a lot more to offer. totally different experience [emphasis ours] That in itself is unparalleled.
“By choosing Borneo over Bali, travelers can go beyond mere sightseeing and embark on a journey that deepens their understanding of the natural wonders and cultural richness that characterize this incredible destination.”
Okay, we're confused. Is the term “destination sucker” used to describe literally any other place that comes to mind? Skip visiting crowded Hong Kong and head to Iceland instead for a completely different experience.
Our advice: Visit Seoul to see Seoul. It's not because someone trying to sell something is going to replace Tokyo or New York or say you should go to Taipei instead.
