The way that we travel has changed drastically over the past decade, and it’s impossible to discuss the changes without mentioning the impact of Instagram. With package holidays becoming less popular and more people than ever before organising their own trips abroad, the obvious conclusion is that Instagram and the world of travel influencers has pushed us towards more adventurous travels – but is this a positive change?

Popular travel destinations are becoming even more popular as their geotags snowball – the more people photograph places like Positano, the more people flock there. The Instagram effect is changing the way that we decide where to visit – we now choose our holiday destination based on photos that we like online, building up travel wish-lists of attractive-looking places. People are travelling to photogenic locations, staying in Instagram-worthy hotels and seeking out shops, restaurants and bars based on their Instagram appeal.

It’s not just where you travel, but how you travel. Do you dig deep into your destination, fully immersing yourself and having fun – or do you walk around with your camera glued to your hand, always in search of the perfect shot for the ‘gram. There’s a compromise here: we all love taking holiday photos to show our friends back home, but it’s important to learn when to put down the camera and enjoy yourself. Rather than always being in search of the next photo opportunity, relax and have fun. Instagram is definitely teaching us to take more photos, but that isn’t the only reason that we should travel. 

Too many people are travelling solely to capture a shot that they’ve seen on Instagram, recreating someone else’s exact photo rather than having their own experience. Places like Santorini are filled with people queueing with selfie sticks and professional photographers, aiming to recreate that ‘must-take’ shot. So many of us have forgotten the true purpose of travel. 

But Instagram is also changing the way we travel for the better. We are free to follow whoever we like; we can seek out niche travel bloggers or those who step off the beaten track. Whether we’re searching for mountainous scenery, the cities with the best street art, hidden coves or remote islands, there’s an Instagram feed out there giving us inspiration. If you take the time to seek out the travel photos that really inspire you, you’ll discover places that you may otherwise never have stumbled upon.

It’s also allowing us to connect with people on the other side of the world. No matter how large someone’s following, you can reach out to them at the click of a button and ask advice for a destination you plan on visiting. You can make friends with fellow travellers and connect with local people who can suggest places off the tourist track. Regular people are taking the place of travel agents; you don’t need to work in tourism to inspire others to travel, thanks to Instagram. 

Personally, Instagram is a huge source of inspiration when planning trips. I decide upon my destination, reach out to others who have travelled there and plan what I want to do, where I want to eat and what I want to see using the app. However, I have tailored my feed so that I see a variety of content that matches up with my personal travel tastes. I’ve discovered places (such as the Azores) through Instagram that would never have been on my radar otherwise. I’ve made friends on the other side of the world while being inspired by their travels. Yet I still do my own, offline research for my trips; I don’t rely on what I see online being reality. 

Instagram has definitely inspired me to travel more, to travel off the beaten track and to travel more creatively – but it’s also taught me to put down my phone, slow down and appreciate my surroundings.