The internet can be an amazing place to findtravelinspiration and plan your next trip. That said, what we see online isn’t always what we get in real life.Some travelers on social media, especiallyinfluencers, aim to portray their adventures in a flattering light. This can lead to a bit of a surprise when we finally go to their advertised destinations and find they’re not quite as we imagined. Take “Paris Syndrome”, for example, which describes the disappointment some Japanese tourists feel when they visit theFrench capital.AtBored Panda, we’ve gathered some of those eye-opening moments from around the web. Find them below and let us know if you’ve ever had a reality check during your travels!This post may includeaffiliate links.
The internet can be an amazing place to findtravelinspiration and plan your next trip. That said, what we see online isn’t always what we get in real life.
Some travelers on social media, especiallyinfluencers, aim to portray their adventures in a flattering light. This can lead to a bit of a surprise when we finally go to their advertised destinations and find they’re not quite as we imagined. Take “Paris Syndrome”, for example, which describes the disappointment some Japanese tourists feel when they visit theFrench capital.
AtBored Panda, we’ve gathered some of those eye-opening moments from around the web. Find them below and let us know if you’ve ever had a reality check during your travels!
This post may includeaffiliate links.
Travel photos can be misleading for several reasons. Sometimes, a picture is edited to make a place look better than it actually is. The crystal-clear turquoiseoceanyou saw on Instagram ends up being murky and grey, while that lush green forest you dreamed of exploring turns out patchy and lifeless. Other times, you might arrive to find the location under construction, which can also be a bummer.But an even bigger issue is overtourism. When places go viral, they attract massive crowds of people. This not only spoils the atmosphere for visitors but also harms the destinations themselves.
Travel photos can be misleading for several reasons. Sometimes, a picture is edited to make a place look better than it actually is. The crystal-clear turquoiseoceanyou saw on Instagram ends up being murky and grey, while that lush green forest you dreamed of exploring turns out patchy and lifeless. Other times, you might arrive to find the location under construction, which can also be a bummer.
But an even bigger issue is overtourism. When places go viral, they attract massive crowds of people. This not only spoils the atmosphere for visitors but also harms the destinations themselves.
In all seriousness, though, I still really enjoyed visiting Railay. Plus, I am also a tourist, so who am I to judge?
To learn more about how the internet shapes our journeys,Bored Pandagot in touch with tourism researcher Dr. Lauren Siegel and travel writer Pati.“It wasn’t so long ago—in the grand scheme of things—that travelers roamed the world without mobile phones and point-and-shoot cameras, and didn’t post anything simply because there was no social media to share it on,” says Pati. She doesn’t consider herself an influencer, but rather someone who enjoys sharing her thoughts onher blog.Pati acknowledges the irony of publicly sharing photos from her owntravels, but highlights an important distinction. “A lot of these shares out there are about likes, clicks, and, in the case of content creators, income. We are being sold a product and convinced that our experience wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t also share the best photo or a reel.”
To learn more about how the internet shapes our journeys,Bored Pandagot in touch with tourism researcher Dr. Lauren Siegel and travel writer Pati.
“It wasn’t so long ago—in the grand scheme of things—that travelers roamed the world without mobile phones and point-and-shoot cameras, and didn’t post anything simply because there was no social media to share it on,” says Pati. She doesn’t consider herself an influencer, but rather someone who enjoys sharing her thoughts onher blog.
Pati acknowledges the irony of publicly sharing photos from her owntravels, but highlights an important distinction. “A lot of these shares out there are about likes, clicks, and, in the case of content creators, income. We are being sold a product and convinced that our experience wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t also share the best photo or a reel.”
“It’s a bit of a dichotomy, because influencers, bloggers or YouTubers bring us closer to these places, help us plan and design itineraries and sometimes enable us to virtually travel to destinations we might not even be able to visit due to our circumstances,” Pati reflects.
Renowned cities like Venice or Barcelona have faced these challenges for years, but every day there’s a new destination that has to put up with similar issues. For example, a petrol station inJapanrecently had to block their view of Mt. Fuji because too many people were visiting for photos.According toLauren Siegel, a lecturer in tourism and events at the University of Greenwich, the pursuit of “Instagrammable” spots is especially harmful for rural landscapes. These areas lack the infrastructure to handle large crowds, which means local businesses can’t make money from them. As a result, visitors leave these places worse off, without even getting to know the local culture.
Renowned cities like Venice or Barcelona have faced these challenges for years, but every day there’s a new destination that has to put up with similar issues. For example, a petrol station inJapanrecently had to block their view of Mt. Fuji because too many people were visiting for photos.
According toLauren Siegel, a lecturer in tourism and events at the University of Greenwich, the pursuit of “Instagrammable” spots is especially harmful for rural landscapes. These areas lack the infrastructure to handle large crowds, which means local businesses can’t make money from them. As a result, visitors leave these places worse off, without even getting to know the local culture.
My wife and I spent almost 10 hours on a plane, crossed the Atlantic Ocean and flew 7,500 kilometers. We climbed to the top of the rock to enjoy a view of Central Park. We had only one day in New York and this view will always be with us.
In herresearch, Siegel also describes various strategies that governments, authorities, and residents can use to address overtourism. Local communities should be diligently consulted, so they can thoroughly understand how tourists behave and what kind of incidents can occur. “By doing this, it will likely improve trust towards the municipalities because thelocalswill feel seen and heard, and hopefully prevent further discontent.”It’s also important to circulate information online that educates incoming tourists about different destinations. Some, Siegel mentions, have launched awareness campaigns about proper etiquette, which can be quite effective.
In herresearch, Siegel also describes various strategies that governments, authorities, and residents can use to address overtourism. Local communities should be diligently consulted, so they can thoroughly understand how tourists behave and what kind of incidents can occur. “By doing this, it will likely improve trust towards the municipalities because thelocalswill feel seen and heard, and hopefully prevent further discontent.”
It’s also important to circulate information online that educates incoming tourists about different destinations. Some, Siegel mentions, have launched awareness campaigns about proper etiquette, which can be quite effective.
Siegel lists a few thingstravelerscan do to remain respectful while making the most of their experiences. First, research before you go and familiarize yourself withlocal customs. Be polite and mindful of cultural norms, especially in religious or sacred spaces. “This is someone’s home, and think about whether you’d want someone acting like this in your own backyard.” Remember to support local businesses—“stress on the word local”—so that there is some economic impact of your visit. As for photos, avoid geotagging, because it creates a map for travelers to visit the exact same place.
So, be careful not to fall for deceiving images on the internet before you set off to explore the world and remember to be a mindful traveler!
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