Experts have shared tips on how to find a place where the experience is identical, but the price is based on reality rather than advertising.
There are some tourist destinations that many tourists dream of visiting, but they can’t afford. For example, the Maldives.
However, experienced travel experts say that this desire is often driven by hype, when in reality, there are other destinations in the world that are just as beautiful and quality, but much cheaper and more accessible.
Twin destinations are one of the main tourist trends in 2026
According to Travel Off Path, a growing trend in travel this year is Destination Twinning, which involves finding budget-friendly alternatives to dream destinations.
“Forget the word ‘duplicate’ – it was the fashion term of 2024 for cheap fakes. “Twin” is something else entirely. It has exactly the same geological DNA and atmosphere as the original, only without the crowds of tourists. The limestone cliffs of Thailand exist elsewhere. The blue domes of Greece have competitors, ” the authors of the article note.
According to analysts, most travelers don’t really need a specific city; they just need a specific atmosphere.
To find the twin of a destination of interest, they suggest using The Uncovered Engine algorithm – it does not look at the map, but analyzes the “DNA of travel” of a dream, for example, the transparency of water, architectural style, whiteness of sand or density of people. It then scans a global database of more than 100 obscure places to find their “mathematical double”: a place where impressions are identical, but the price is based on reality, not advertising.
The authors of the article demonstrated the algorithm’s operation using the example of three “most expensive trips of 2026”.
1. Palawan instead of the Maldives
This picturesque region in the Philippines offers the same bungalows on turquoise waters and limestone lagoons as the Maldives. However, while in the Maldives it costs from $1,500 and above, in Palawan you can book a similar “water cottage” at resorts such as Miniloc Island or Kauayan for about $350-500. As a result, a 70% saving.
2. Sidi Bou Said instead of Santorini
For those who want to see blue-and-white architecture on the cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, this city in Tunisia offers the same visual palette as the overcrowded Greek island. It is built according to the same Mediterranean history, located on the same sea, and offers better coffee – all without the 10,000 cruise ship passengers per day. In this case, the savings are 85%.
3. Bacalar instead of Tulum
Fifteen years ago, Tulum was a cool place in Mexico, but now it’s incredibly crowded and expensive. However, just a two-hour drive to the south is the “Lagoon of Seven Colors”. There are eco-bungalows, crystal clear water (fresh, so no algae) and a bohemian atmosphere that Tulum lost about ten years ago. Here, too, the savings amount to 85%.