Destination Dupes: Dragonpass Reveals The Rising Destinations Replacing The Most Expensive Getaways
French Slopes, Bulgarian Prices: Travellers Swap Val d’Isère For Bansko
Travel priorities move from status locations to smarter value, 22% of the North-East actively look for emerging or trending destinations
Dragonpass, the $1 billion global travel loyalty platform serving more than 40 million members worldwide, has identified the emerging “destination dupes” travellers are choosing in place of the most expensive, high-demand hotspots. The shift reflects a new value logic in leisure travel: holidaymakers still want the signature experience associated with the world’s most famous breaks, but they are increasingly opting for places that deliver comparable scenery, culture and atmosphere with greater flexibility across accommodation, dining and activities.
This trend is being accelerated by younger travellers, with 22% of North Eastern Brits actively looking for emerging or trending destinations. Dragonpass data indicates the same moments are being pursued, from ski terrain and après atmosphere to dramatic coastlines, beach club energy, wellness routines and vineyard escapes. However, travellers are prioritising destinations that allow 23% of Brits to spend less than £500 on holidays in the last 12 months while still accessing high-quality, experience-led travel.
The New Top Destination Dupes Delivering Signature Experiences With Greater Flexibility
Bansko, Bulgaria instead of Val d’Isère, France
Bansko pairs reliable ski terrain with a characterful old town and an established spa culture, creating a well-rounded alpine experience. Lift access, equipment hire and dining tend to allow for longer stays or broader itineraries, giving travellers room to combine skiing with wellness and cultural exploration, rather than limiting the trip to a single resort circuit.
Kotor Bay, Montenegro instead of the Amalfi Coast, Italy
Dramatic coastal scenery and waterfront dining remain central to the experience, with medieval streets and boat trips shaping a cinematic feel. Kotor and Perast offer a similar visual drama and relaxed sophistication, often with more availability during peak months.
Ksamil and the Albanian Riviera, Albania instead of Mykonos, Greece
Turquoise waters, beach clubs and late evening dining still define the break. The region maintains a lively social atmosphere while offering travellers more choice across boutique stays and extended itineraries along the coast.
Mostar and Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina instead of Venice, Italy
Riverside settings, layered history and café culture remain at the core of the experience. The architectural detail and sense of heritage provide a strong cultural immersion, with travellers able to explore at a more relaxed pace.
Ljubljana and Lake Bled, Slovenia instead of Salzburg and the Austrian Lakes
Lake scenery, old-world architecture and a polished café culture shape the appeal here. Pairing Ljubljana’s walkable charm with the alpine calm of Lake Bled gives travellers a similarly picturesque Central European break, with strong cultural character and more flexibility across accommodation and itinerary planning.
Costa de la Luz, Spain instead of Ibiza, Spain
Beach clubs, long sunny days and a laid-back coastal rhythm continue to drive demand for Mediterranean-style escapes. Costa de la Luz offers wide sandy beaches, stylish boutique stays and a more relaxed pace, creating a similarly desirable sun-and-social break with greater room for longer stays and broader exploration.
About Dragonpass
Dragonpass is a $1 billion global loyalty platform serving more than 40 million members worldwide at the intersection of financial services and travel benefits for many of the world’s largest banks. The company powers programs including Visa Airport Companion, Mastercard Travel Pass, Revolut lounge access and Investec inTransit.
Founded in 2005, Dragonpass is the world’s leading digital platform for airport, travel and lifestyle services, enabling access to more than 1,300 airport lounges, fast track security, dining and lifestyle benefits through partnerships with over 200 banks, card issuers and telecoms providers.
Headquartered in the UK, with offices in Manchester and London, Dragonpass also operates across the U.S., Brazil, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and China. Its plug-and-play loyalty technology, including APIs, SDKs and white-label integrations, supports secure, localised and scalable loyalty programs across international markets.