New search data from Booking.com suggests Kiwi travellers are rethinking the traditional European summer holiday, opting instead for destinations closer to home that offer similar experiences without the long-haul flights, crowds, or hefty price tags.
Known as travel “dupes” (short for duplicates), these emerging destinations deliver many of the same cultural, culinary, and scenic highlights as famous tourist hotspots, but with fewer visitors and better value for money. They give travellers the chance to enjoy authentic experiences while stretching their travel budgets further.
According to Booking.com, Kiwi travellers are increasingly seeking destinations that combine affordability, convenience, and memorable experiences. The company’s Travel & Sustainability 2026 Report found that nearly half (48%) of New Zealand travellers plan to avoid overcrowded tourist destinations, while 53% are considering travelling outside peak holiday periods.
The trend is particularly evident across the Asia-Pacific region, where destinations offer a compelling mix of culture, food, relaxation, and warm-weather escapes, all within a shorter flight from New Zealand. For the travel industry, it also reflects growing interest in off-peak travel and a willingness among travellers to look beyond the traditional tourist trail in search of something new.
Of the top 30 international destinations, every trending destination recording a year-on-year increase sits within Asia Pacific. Emerging favourites include:
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – climbing 15 places year-on-year in the rankings, this fast-paced destination is known for its street food, café culture and vibrant city energy, appealing to those who love the energy of Naples, Italy
- Danang, Vietnam – known for its beaches, mountainous wilderness and growing luxury travel scene, alongside its rising digital nomad communities – a potential swap for the likes of Split, Croatia or Nice, France
- Denarau, Fiji – continuing to attract travellers seeking easy tropical escapes and family-friendly resorts, an ideal destination for lovers of Tenerife, Spain
- Seoul, Korea – increasingly popular for food, shopping, beauty and pop culture experiences and the Asia Pacific friendship city with London, Berlin and Milan
- Sanur, Indonesia – offers a quieter, more relaxed alternative to Bali’s busier hubs, not unlike Mallorca’s laid back energy
- Hoi An, Vietnam – loved for its lantern-lit old town, boutique stays, and iconic coconut boat rides – Asia’s answer to Venice’s quaint canals and historic charm
The shift also aligns with findings from Booking.com’s Travel & Sustainability 2026 report, which found Kiwi and Asia Pacific travellers alike are becoming more intentional about when and where they travel, with growing interest in avoiding crowds and travelling outside peak periods.
Here’s the full top 30 international list below along with year on year rank changes for the same period last year.
New Zealand – Winter 2026 – International
- Gold Coast, Australia +1
- Rarotonga, Cook Islands
- London, United Kingdom +1
- Tokyo, Japan +1
- Seminyak, Indonesia
- Singapore, Singapore
- Sydney, Australia
- Brisbane, Australia +6
- Sanur, Indonesia +9
- Nadi, Fiji
- Ubud, Indonesia
- Paris, France
- Melbourne, Australia
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Canggu, Indonesia
- Uluwatu, Indonesia
- Danang, Vietnam +11
- Port Douglas, Australia +3
- Cairns, Australia
- Denarau, Fiji +11
- Nusa Dua, Indonesia +2
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam +15
- Mooloolaba, Australia +1
- Hoi An, Vietnam +9
- New York, United States of America
- Legian, Indonesia
- Kuta, Indonesia
- Seoul, Korea +10
- Barcelona, Spain
- Apia, Samoa
Search sessions 1 March to 30 April with check-ins 1 June – 31 August 2026, with check-in dates 3 April to 6 April 2026. Rank increases compared with the same period in 2024 / 2025.
