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Destination swap: five alternatives to Asia's tourist hotspots

Asia
Debbie Ward
28 January 2026

As overtourism grips parts of Asia, savvy luxury agents are opting to send clients to under-the-radar alternatives.

Blue water, beach and lush coast

Railay Beach in Krabi offers a quieter alternative to Thailand's more touristy beaches

Choose fame-free Thailand beaches

Why: Khao Lak, Koh Lanta and even Koh Phangan are among trending alternatives to well-known Thai resorts for Chic Locations Product and relationship partner David Kevan explains: “They’re appealing to clients who’ve either been to Thailand before and want something authentic or feel parts of the country have lost their exclusivity; if everyone you know has been or is going, you tend to look for somewhere more aspirational.”