Social media is a huge driver for tourism – it’s an easy and instant way to share, view and find popular spots to visit.
However, for some travellers, the holiday sneak peek you’ll get through your social media feed comes with a major downside.
A whopping 68 per cent of holidaymakers admit they found a destination felt familiar when they visited, despite never stepping foot there before, because of the amount of research they had done about it online beforehand.
Instagram reels, TikTok feeds and Facebook provide a constant stream of content about anything and everything – including where you have booked your next holiday.
Research by the Hint App found 74 per cent of tourists ‘research destinations so thoroughly that few genuine surprises remain once they arrive’, Euro News reports.
Some 64 per cent even recognised key landmarks because of their social media scrolling.
It’s fair to say that the likes of Instagram and TikTok can be a great source of information about a new place – but social media is ruining the element of exploration and surprise many seek out on holiday.
A quick search on social media for Paris, for example, soon brings up the best places to dine, quirky bars to check out and all the key attractions – with some content so thorough it almost doesn’t feel like you need to travel there yourself.
Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do to prevent this ‘spoiler’ effect when journeying around the globe…
A quick search for Paris on social media will reveal all the best spots and viral restaurants to go to – but you might be better off simply asking a local
Interact with locals
Instead of relying on online accounts, turn to locals for authentic and thorough information about your destination of choice.
Forget videos with millions of views and thousands of comments – there’s arguably no one who will know a destination better than who lives there.
Locals will be able to share lesser-known spots that won’t have the same huge crowds as landmarks and key attractions.
Visit the tourism office
Local tourism offices will have a wealth of information and local experts happy to answer any questions you might have.
Almost every destination will have a dedicated building for visitors and they often have shelves packed with leaflets on things to do nearby.
Picking up a map once in the area will be handy for exploring too, as it will likely highlight the key spots to visit and transport links.
Buy a guide book beforehand
Any traveller worth their salt will want to read up about a holiday spot before heading to the destination to create a jam-packed itinerary with all of the best spots.
But why not do so screen free?
The AA has pocket-sized guides for many popular resorts and cities that can easily fit in your hand luggage. Other informative guides include Lonely Planet and Rick Steves’ ‘Best of’ books.
Try a restaurant you have never seen before
The internet is stuffed full of content about food and restaurants to try, so it’s easy to feel like you’ve already dined somewhere before even visiting, purely by consuming countless videos about it.
Steer away from viral foodie hotspots and well-known brands and opt for something local and independent instead.
An unassuming hole-in-the-wall might end up being the best meal you have all trip.
Instead, try techniques like walking around the city with no itinerary to follow, or pick up a map when you’re there to base your adventures on
Walking around ‘just because’
When you first arrive at a destination, giving yourself time to wander around without a strict itinerary or aim might prove to be more productive and exciting than any research done beforehand.
You might find you drop by hidden gems not yet discovered by the crowds of tourists who are caught up with the major landmarks, and lesser-known spots that haven’t featured on Instagram reels yet but are well worth the time.
It’s arguably the best way to authentically experience a destination, without any influence from social media.
Book a mystery getaway
Booking a mystery holiday prevents any chance of spoiling a destination before you get there.
Companies like Journee ask travellers to complete a quiz and then match them to ‘an unforgettable trip with every detail sorted’.
Holidaymakers aren’t told where they’re going until they get to the airport – it’s a complete surprise and there’s little room for social media to ruin it beforehand.
