Instagram has ruined travel and I’m the reason why
I’ve been exposed to it for so long in all my years of travel but never really processed it until one day while scrolling through my Instagram feed. I saw a video in Tulum on a rooftop bar and I had that “ah-ha” moment.
The DJ was white, the guests we’re all white. and even some of the staff were white. And I don’t say that to disparage white people, I just thought it was curious how not a single Latino, Black, Asian or even a Mexican were present.
And when you stop to look at these “Instagram” destinations through the scope of an influencer you begin to realize two things.
1. You’re part of the problem.
I’ve been guilty of this myself. My girlfriend and I would constantly offer services in exchange for accommodation. We would sometimes just work for free if it could benefit us, hell why not? We could afford a couple of days without pay with the money in our savings and all. In the meantime, here we are taking away jobs that locals could be doing. But in some countries you’re not even taught to think of that as an alternative means of income. So there we already have a leg up.
When we go sightseeing we never get a guide. Why should we? They’re expensive and there’s nothing this person can tell you that you can’t already find online. There’s definitely a travel blogger that has captured everything on YouTube for us, we don’t even need to talk to anyone. Let’s just go there, get our pictures, post it online, and rack up on those sweet likes.
That sucks on a 3 levels:
- That’s one less interaction we got to witness
- That’s one less person that got paid
- YouTube is often wrong.
Meanwhile, that’s one less job, that’s one less interaction with a local we could have made, and many lessons I didn’t learn.
2. International Gentrification
Our search for the cheapest and best alternatives out there leaves these markets ripe for an influx of tourist money and although that may seem like a good thing, It’s basically international gentrification.
I can easily find a place in any country and afford a long term apartment in the best location with my international salary. That’s great for me, but bad for locals. How is that any different than a flock of New Yorkers moving into New Jersey, or Silicon valley basically moving to Austin?
When your salary is $5,000 per year (Average Mexican salary), how can you compete with someone whose salary is $50,000?
This is why I’ve come to the realization that… Travel is the most selfish thing you can do.
Whatever you try to tell yourself, travel is always for you.
“I need some time off”
“I want to grow”
“I want to eat food”
These are all things we always tell ourselves and others, and there’s nothing wrong with it. I’m richer today because of the places I’ve been, because of the times I decided to be selfish. We shouldn’t ever beat ourselves up over it. We just have to be aware that no matter what we do in this world, there are always positive and negative consequences. Some of these things we may not even realize right away, and that’s okay.
I write this article for me but also as a reminder to all my fellow travelers out there. We are a community that have been profiting and thriving from traveling for so long, that it’s important to remember to give back to these places as well.
Here’s 5 Easy Ways You Can Be a Better Traveler
1. Take a local tour
A country will always be made by its people and not the other way around. Who’s going to teach you more? Some girl in Germany who spent a week there? Or a local that has been living there their entire lives? Local guides live off of your business, so put that lonely planet book down and talk to someone!
2. Hire a chef for one meal
This sounds like it could be expensive, but it’s really not. AIRBNB, hotels, and tour companies are great ways to find local chefs or cooking classes. You can tell a lot about a place based on their cuisine, not only in terms of taste, but in terms of history.
3. Eat street food
This almost goes hand-in-hand with the previous one but much more affordable! Why pay $20 on that pad-thai at a touristic restaurant, when a local small business owner is making a better one for a $1? I guarantee you the food is better and you’ve just given business to someone who really needs it!
4. Learn a few local phrases
If you take anything away today, it’s this advice. This is the holy grail of traveling, learn a couple of phrases. People love to see that you tried and you are more likely to get a positive experience. You can be more aware of what’s happening around you. Plus you tend to always see a smile wherever you go. A couple of phrases I recommend are.
“Thank you”
“Excuse me”
“Sorry”
“How Much?”
“Numbers 1–10”
These phrases really go a long away and allow you to have a more immersive experience.
5. Put your phone away
Lay off of Instagram and other social media.
I can tell you from personal experience. A lot of the videos and photos you see are staged, faked, or photoshopped. It’s usually full of people, overpriced because of demand, and can sometimes get pretty nasty. Big influencers usually reach out weeks in advance and have enough of a pull or resources to get a place to themselves.
The best travel is the one that you do yourself. The more you’re looking down at that phone the less you’re looking at the beautiful world in front of you.
Travel is about the people you meet.
Sights will always exist and be there, but individuals are one of a kind.
