How social media is changing the way we travel

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: In today's digital age, social media platforms have become an integral part of our lives, influencing the way we communicate, share experiences, and even plan our vacations.

Among these platforms, Instagram, with its visually appealing photos and videos, has taken the world by storm. While Instagram has undoubtedly revolutionised the way we discover and explore new destinations, it has also had a profound negative impact on the essence of travelling.

On this World Tourism Day, we delve into the repercussions of Instagram on tourism, shedding light on how it has shifted the focus from genuine travel experiences to the pursuit of the perfect Instagram-worthy shot.

To better understand the impact of Instagram on tourism, News Trail talked to a few people and found avid travellers and hodophiles (people who like to travel) to know how Instagram and other social media platforms affect their travel adventures.

Travel's doubleedged sword

Instagram has become an essential tool for travellers of all ages. It is a great way to discover new places, learn about different cultures, and plan trips.

Several youngsters use Instagram where they follow their favourite celebrities or influencers and try to go to the same destinations. This can lead to a superficial view of travel.

When people only see photos and videos of the most beautiful and Instagrammable places, they may get the impression that travel is all about taking pictures and not about experiencing the culture and history of a place.

A young college student who wishes to travel and explore said, “Socal media pushes travellers to become more focused on taking perfect photos and videos than on experiencing the destination itself.”

This can lead to people missing out on the real beauty of a place and instead focusing on trying to capture the perfect shot. In a survey of young from aged 18 to 35, it was discovered that almost 44% of them feel pressured to travel because they see other people doing it on social media. Instagram can make it difficult to find authentic travel experiences.

When people only see photos and videos of the most popular tourist destinations, they may miss out on the hidden gems that a place has to offer.

FOMO and Travelrelated stress

Instagram is notorious for fostering the "Fear of Missing Out" (FOMO) phenomenon.

When users continuously see people in their feeds enjoying incredible travel experiences on their feeds, they may start to feel the pressure to keep up.

This fear of missing out can lead to travel-related stress and anxiety, as individuals feel compelled to constantly plan and execute extravagant trips to match the seemingly extraordinary adventures of their peers.

A 20-year-old youngster from Bengaluru said, “People posting photos and reels about their travel experiences present a more curated and idealistic view of their lives than what they actually experience, which can be offensive to those who do not have the same resources or opportunities.”

Moreover, the pressure to present an idealised version of one's life on Instagram can result in travellers curating their experiences to fit a certain narrative, rather than embracing the spontaneity and unpredictability that often make travel enriching.