Seriously. Is internet ruining travel?
We can not discredit what the internet has done when it comes to travel... It is hard to think how travel was pre-internet.
I do recognize that the internet and social media have many advantages which may outweigh the problems when it comes to travel. Some of them are:
- Discovering new places.
- Getting budget options.
- Bookings are easier.
- Airbnb and Couchsurfing make accommodation convenient.
- Networking with people.
- Insert 100 more advantages here.
I love watching travel videos and vlogs. I also love scrolling through my Instagram feed to drool at lust-inducing photos of perfect travel moments. In fact, I have discovered so many places that I never knew existed. However, the more I consume social media, the more these places start to lose their lustre and the more I think that I have seen it all. I have Pinterest boards with thousands of travel photos and I know how a place will ook before I visit.
I am a travel writer and I do understand that sometimes, documenting has to be done and stories have to be told. However, even with these advantages, I feel that some places are losing their charm.
Here are reasons why:
1. Trends and Overcrowding
I don't know how many more photos of people swimming with pigs in Pig Beach in Exuma I can stomach. I know that part of this feeling comes from the fact that I have not been there (and jealousy) but I want to be surprised. I want a place to completely take my breath away. However, the fact that I have seen 300 photos of that place may take away that sense of wonder.
In Kenya, sometimes, people also tend to visit one place for a while then they go on to the next big thing. For example in early 2017, so many people were going to Ngare Ndare forest which is a beautiful indigenous forest that offers a host of activities including diving, swimming, hiking, biking and high ropes walking. That place was always booked.
I remember a friend of mine went but she did not love it. She had been planning her trip for weeks but when she came back, she told me that there were so many people. I also want to visit the latest hyped place called The Forest in Kenya but I know it will be flocking with many people. I am not mad at this but I just know that I will have to postpone my visit for a few months.
This is a double-edged sword. The more people learn about a place, it boosts tourism and inspires people to travel but it also waters down the experience if there are too many visitors.
Ngare Ndare.
Image Credits
To read:
This Is What Really Killed The Famous Swimming Pigs
2. Obsession with photos
I know some people will come to me for bringing this up but let's be honest. There has never been a time when we obsess over taking photos like we do now. People have smartphones with great camera quality and others have high-quality cameras.
Photos exist to help us keep memories alive and accessible in the future. However on social media today, photos exist to show that you went to a place. This reminds me of a quote that I read. If you travel and don't take a photo, did it really happen? I am guilty but over time, I have started becoming more intentional with the photos I take. I do not need 20 versions of the same photo. Two or one is enough.
I had 6 versions of this photo. Why?
I understand why people need perfect photos with the perfect lighting to fit your Instagram aesthetic because I am a content creator. I know people make money through social media and they have to post well thought out photos. However, when do we get to enjoy the place we visited? It is all about finding that balance betwen taking your photos and getting back to enjying the place.
To read: How Instagram Influencers are Ruining Travel
3. " Being present" out the window
People no longer appreciate the state of just being present. Where will I find the time to enjoy my trip when I am busy live tweeting, posting on Instagram stories, choosing a great filter on VSCO Cam, shouting at a stranger to take landscape instead of portrait and vlogging...? It is all complete chaos.
We need to enjoy the moment and be present. If you are not traveling as a travel influencer where you have to document your stories, take a couple of photos, put your phone down and just enjoy. Live in the moment!
Image/ pexels
One of my best travel moments was when I traveled to Zanzibar with a friend and my camera battery had died so we left it in the Airbnb we were staying at. My phone was also out of charge. We were walking along the streets of Zanzibar and we came across this restaurant with a perfect view of the sunset behind the gleaming waters. We sat there watching the golden sunset, not saying a word to each other. I reflected on life. Made a huge decision that had been bothering me and just enjoyed the moment. I had clarity. I remember thinking, "Wow, this is the best sunset I have seen. I wish I had my camera. No. It's good that I do not have my camera". Some travelers joined us later and we had genuine conversations and laughs. We did not take any photos or even think about it. I long for such travel moments.
We now experience life through the screens of our phone. So, say instead of watching some dolphins, we look for the best angle then watch them through our phone/ camera lens.
Is Social Media Ruining Your Vacation?
4. There are no more hidden gems
Every time I see a travel article writing about a place as a "hidden gem", I sigh and laugh a little. I Google it and find 60 more articles and Tripadvisor reviews about the same place. A gem is special. A hidden gem is like 100 times more special. Wait, I shouldn't be speaking in this tone because this is a good thing that more and more people are bringing to light amazing and magical places. However, a day is coming when every place will have been "Instagrammed", "snapchatted", reblogged, blogged and vlogged!
5. We stop talking to each other in real life
I am chatting with my friend back in Kenya when I am on this amazing cruise instead of talking to the people next to me. I am also chatting with people on Instagram and tweeting at the same time. I feel like such an extrovert but how many strangers have I spoken to. I mean face to face?
Every time I travel and decide to spark new conversations, people are always on their phones. I have sometimes been the person on the phone and lost a chance at a real connection.
I once went for a group trip to Arusha from Nairobi. I had so much fun but I realized that outside of our group, I did not speak to anyone in Tanzania. I did not speak to the shopkeepers, the vendors, our guides... Now that I think about it, it is sad.
pic by @njoromuts
6. The internet ruined how we eat
The internet made new restaurants accessible and we can avoid eating at bad restaurants. I'm in a new city but I have to first Google places to eat. This is good to some extent but many people no longer stumble into places and try the food on a whim. And the "stay away from the dessert because I saw a negative review online" comments. We no longer want to go to the normal restaurants that have never made an appearance in a listicle or blog review. And before we eat, please let's take 500 photos of our food. In fact, bring your food next to mine. Let me take a shot of it first.
pic by @njoromuts
7. The internet ruined vacations for some of us
I am a freelance writer and digital marketing consultant. I work remotely and this means that whether I am on vacation, I still have to have wifi either at night or in the morning. I need to check on the accounts I run. I remember before I started working remotely, there was a time when I had taken leave to travel and my boss still called and emailed me. I don't think this would have been an issue pre-internet. However, I do appreciate that I can work from anywhere but this also comes with it's own issues.
Again, I do understand that people work in different fields and people travel differently. However, I do want to be more intentional on how I travel. I want to be more present. I want to be less online when I travel. I want to change what travel means for me. Life is all about balance.
Has the internet ruined travel for you in any way? Leave thoughts down below.
Additional Piece to read
Loved to Death: How Instagram Is Destroying Our Natural Wonders
Giving out free votes to the little guys, I hope you appreciate.
Oh. Thanks :)
I highly and strongly disagree. You are no little guy here.
Haha :)
You are becoming quite a force. Soon you will have loads of power. I feel like you should enjoy the pre-minnow stage. It will not last long
Thank you for the kind words. I also feel that we are all growing. We have to all grow together and I am glad we started the group to build each other :)
I have read about the swimming pig; it is sad to hear the publicity dealt them a hard blow.
So sad. But we can't stop people from going there in droves. Maybe regulation?
I doubt it would do much to it. You can't stop people from visiting a specific place unless of course, the area is deemed to be a conservation.
That is the sad reality.
As much as we talk about positive uses of technology, the negative implications as clearlry outlined by you have affected the fiber of whole humanity in unprecedented ways. We need to take control.
(Here from #SteemitBloggers)
I agree. The sad thing is that the changes happen so gradually one does not realise.
Thanks for your comment.
You're welcome.
well maybe intriguing ppl to explore further areas, but yea we are kinda stuck to our phones wherever we go too sometimes forgetting to really enjoy the beauty of nature
I am scared for what will happen 50 years from now. What will be our new obsession?
Nice to know that you have travelling experiences....This must be your adventure... @jeanwandimi.
Yes I wanna travel in a more intentional way though.
"Insert a 100 advantages here."
I laughed so hard.
I am glad you could recognize the humour. *wink
haha.
There are plans to protect the swimming pigs to protect that Eco-system. True experiences nowadays have been watered down and makes one not want to travel, once beautiful places are now polluted, overcrowded, just look at Arboretum such a pitty.
Great to hear that there are some plans underway. I need to research on that. Aboretum used to be such a cool place. :(
Everything in moderation: Its all about balance. I do agree with you.
Nice post
Upvoted and resteemed.
Thanks friend. Let me check out your feed & follow. :)
Thank you! and youre welcome!
everything in life of a man now depends on the internet. Some people will like still want to search for what to eat for breakfast, dinner and supper.
That is true.
yes of a truth
Technology has become a big part of our lives. Have you ever felt like you were incomplete without your phone? I wonder how we used to survive without them!
I have or when your phone ran out of charge in a social situation and you wonder what to do with yourself. Haha. :)
Great post with lot's of valid points :)
I mostly just have an issue with social medias when it comes to travelling. The hunt for the perfect picture, the constant need to be online instead of present in the "real" world, the need to show anyone and everyone where you have been at any given time.. The struggle is real :)
edit: I had written a little longer reply but it was so poorly worded that it didn't really make a lot of sense
Thanks for dropping by @wanderingdanish I also have an issue with that and I catch myself every time when I am obsessing over a picture. Most times, these pictures get lost in an abyss of computer folders and dropbox folders never to see the light of day again.
I relate to this so much! I have run multiple social accounts at once, and I was worried about posting even when I was on a different continent with almost no wifi. But personally, I think this fear of missing out has a lot to do with it as well. We want to make sure others see that we are having a good time - but overall it makes travel less enjoyable.
That is true. The fear of missing out plagues all of us. We will find a balance hopefully soon so that we can work and still enjoy.
Lovely country, good shots, hope see mush more interesting photo and stories, following you.
Haha that's hilarious and so true. The internet has definitely taken people out of the moment