Are You Really Traveling—Or Just Chasing Viral Content?
Social media has revolutionized the way we travel. TikTok and Instagram have made it easier than ever to discover new destinations, find hidden gems, and plan picture-perfect itineraries. But behind the glossy travel vlogs and viral trends, there’s an ugly side—one that might be ruining your travel experience without you even realizing it.
From overcrowded “hidden” spots to algorithm-driven tourism that forces everyone to visit the same places, social media is changing how (and why) we travel.
Let’s break down the hidden problems with TikTok and Instagram tourism.
1. The Illusion of “Hidden Gems” (That Aren’t Hidden Anymore)
Social media is filled with secret beaches, untouched villages, and hidden cafés—except they’re not secret at all. The moment a place goes viral, it gets flooded with tourists, completely losing the charm that made it special in the first place.
🔍 Examples:
Bali’s “Secret” Waterfalls: Many “hidden” waterfalls now have long lines for photos and even entrance fees due to their social media fame.
Italy’s Cinque Terre: Once a quiet coastal town, now overrun with influencers looking for the perfect sunset shot.
Japan’s Fushimi Inari Shrine: The famous Torii gates are now so packed that getting a photo without people requires waking up at 5 AM.
📌 The Reality: If a place is all over TikTok, it’s probably not a hidden gem anymore.
2. The Rise of “Checklist Tourism”
Instagram and TikTok reward viral moments, not deep experiences. As a result, travelers now feel pressure to visit only the most Instagrammable spots—not necessarily the most meaningful ones.
🔍 Examples:
Paris: Everyone rushes to take the Eiffel Tower selfie but skips the local cafés, art districts, and hidden gardens that define the city.
Iceland’s Blue Lagoon: Packed with tourists taking the same blue water photo—while many better, quieter hot springs go ignored.
Dubai’s Desert Photoshoots: Influencers post perfectly staged desert photos—without mentioning the huge commercial setup behind them.
📌 The Reality: Are you experiencing a destination or just collecting content?
3. The Fake “Spontaneous” Travel Aesthetic
TikTok and Instagram make travel look effortlessly spontaneous—but what you see is heavily curated and staged.
🔍 What They Post vs. Reality:
“Woke up to this view!” → Actually took 50+ photos and spent an hour finding the right filter.
“Casually strolling through the streets of Santorini” → Meanwhile, the streets are packed with other influencers filming the same thing.
“No crowds at this temple” → Because they edited out the people or arrived at 6 AM for an empty shot.
📌 The Reality: Behind every “effortless” travel post is a lot of effort—and often, a misleading portrayal of reality.
4. Ruining Local Culture for a Viral Video
Some influencers cross the line in their pursuit of viral content, often disrespecting local traditions, laws, or communities for a good shot.
🔍 Examples:
Machu Picchu’s “Yoga” Trend: Tourists started doing yoga poses on the ancient ruins—leading officials to ban certain areas.
Bali’s Disrespectful Tourists: Several influencers were deported for inappropriate behavior at sacred temples.
Hawaii’s Illegal Hikes: Viral TikToks led tourists to trespass on dangerous, off-limits trails—forcing authorities to crack down.
📌 The Reality: Viral content should never come at the expense of local culture and respect.
5. Travel FOMO: Are You Traveling for Yourself or for Social Media?
Social media has created a new kind of travel anxiety—the pressure to see and do everything just to keep up with what others are posting.
🔍 Signs You’re Experiencing Travel FOMO:
Feeling like your trip isn’t good enough unless you visit “the top Instagram spots.”
Constantly comparing your trip to influencers who have sponsored, luxury stays that don’t reflect real travel.
Spending more time filming your trip than actually enjoying it.
📌 The Reality: Are you traveling for yourself—or for likes?
How to Take Back Control of Your Travel Experience
Social media isn’t all bad—but it shouldn’t control how you travel. Here’s how to make sure you’re experiencing travel in a meaningful way.
✅ Ditch the viral lists: Find places based on your own interests, not TikTok trends.
✅ Go off the beaten path: Visit spots that aren’t trending—they’re often more authentic.
✅ Limit your social media time: Try a “No Instagram Day” on your trip.
✅ Embrace the unexpected: Some of the best travel moments happen when you don’t plan them.
At Mytrippl, we believe travel should be about the experience, not just the content. Plan your trip with real recommendations, not just viral trends.
