'Dupe destination' boom hits social media

BENGALURU -- In late 2023, Mysuru-based Ruchi Prasad and three of her friends decided to go on a last-minute trip to celebrate graduation. They had two criteria: The destination had to be outside India and include beaches. The Maldives fit the bill perfectly but was too expensive. They tossed around other ideas -- Bali, Mauritius, Sri Lanka -- but discarded them for the same reason. Then a travel agent suggested the Philippines, specifically Palawan Island.

"We were apprehensive but decided to give it a go. It was a great decision; we had a blast," Prasad says. The island was affordable and uncrowded but, like the Maldives, abounded with alluring tropical island landscapes. "Moreover, we saw and did so much more than would have been possible in the Maldives. And we discovered Filipino cuisine. It was truly memorable, and we felt we got a lot of bang for our buck."