The Negative Impact of Social Media on Travel
Social media has drastically altered the landscape of traveling in recent years. Many people use social media to get information about the best travel destinations. Others use the platform to promote their travel-related business or simply to brag about their trips. While there are benefits in the advent of social media, there are also some downsides.
People are obsessed about posting travel photos
There’s nothing wrong in posting travel photos. People worked hard to reach their travel destinations. The problem is some people become obsessed with their image. They would rather spend time taking the best pictures and editing them. They no longer appreciate the beauty of their chosen destination because they’ve spent a lot of time taking pictures. There’s nothing memorable about the trip anymore.
Reviews can be damaging
Reading reviews is helpful in deciding where to visit and why to go there. The problem is some people might write terrible reviews that may contribute to the decline of tourism in a particular area. There’s nothing to back these claims up and the damage can’t be undone.
It causes mental health issues
Some people aspire to travel and won’t mind posting pictures of their trips. Others envy these people since they’re unable to travel. Hence, mental health issues rise. Many people couldn’t keep up with the lifestyle. Traveling has also become a bragging right instead of being an enjoyable experience.
Overcrowding becomes an issue
While social media use leads to the damage of reputation, it may also have the reverse effect. Many people feel enticed to visit a place to a point that the destination becomes overcrowded. The locals maintaining the place couldn’t keep up with the influx of tourists. The worst part is some of these places aren’t meant for mass tourism. There’s also no support from the local government to ensure the place doesn’t get damaged.
Social media won’t reveal a complete picture
The images and videos posted on social media are only a snap shot of what the destination really is. It couldn’t capture the beauty of a place or its depth. Many people feel deceived if they arrive at a place and it isn’t what was promised. Others decide against visiting a place when it has a lot more to offer. Social media can reshape images and reputation, including people’s perception.
The point is that social media can be a double-edged sword. If used correctly, it can help boost tourism and make people excited to travel. Otherwise, it can bring a destination down. It also creates a terrible lifestyle that many people couldn’t keep up with.
If you constantly travel, make sure that social media posting isn’t the priority. Your goal is to enjoy the place during your visit. If you read reviews, take everything with a grain of salt. Otherwise, you will believe incorrect information. You will also stop yourself from enjoying a destination. Be smart in using social media not only for travel, but other issues too.
Photo Attribution:
1st and featured image from https://www.thestreet.com/.image/ar_1:1%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_1200/MTY4NjM2MDM4MTgwMjUxNTQz/why-checking-social-media-on-vacation-is-just-as-bad-as-working.jpg
2nd image from https://www.socialsamosa.com/2014/09/social-media-travel-tourism/
