Paradise Beaches Sit Empty as Indonesia Bets on Saturated Bali
Some 1,600 kilometers (990 miles) away in Bali — not that there's any direct flight — traffic snarls around temple corners, the air is thick with noise pollution from motorbikes, plastic trash is matted into gutters and the surge of visitors has, in many places, eclipsed the island's deeper spiritual essence.
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Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
How selfie parks limit tourism damage to the world's most ‘Instagrammable' destinations
It's no secret that social media has changed travel. Holidaymakers increasingly seek to imitate images posted by influencers and their peers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. In our increasingly digital world, travellers now chase the perfect shot like treasure hunters. That can mean navigating crowds, long lines and sometimes even danger – all for content from the world's most 'Instagrammable' spots. In a widely viewed TikTok video, influencer Zoe Rae (the sister of Love Island star Molly-Mae Hague) voiced her disappointment after visiting Bali. Apparently, it did not look as it did when she saw it online. Her comments attracted a backlash, with critics arguing she was simply experiencing the reality behind the content she and others have helped to promote. Research has found that many influencers and social media users participate in an 'aesthetic economy'. That is, travel is 'performed' for likes, views and brand deals. The result? Holidaymakers seeking out highly photogenic ('Instagrammable') destinations from which to stage their content. Sometimes 'getting the shot' becomes more important than any meaningful cultural exchange between hosts and guests. The behaviour of social media-induced tourists has been found to be more irresponsible than that of other types of travellers. There were 379 selfie-related deaths between 2008-21, and the quest for the perfect photo can also lead to trespassing and vandalism. Additionally, studies have found that social-media-induced tourists can cause varying levels of damage to the hotspots they visit. This can include environmental erosion, traffic congestion, pollution, increased rubbish and generally making daily life difficult for locals. Stage-managed selfies But the demand has fuelled the development of shadow economies like 'selfie museums'. 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Travel + Leisure
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- Travel + Leisure
This Is the Most Important Etiquette Tip When Visiting Italy, According to a Longtime Resident
After more than 15 years of living in and traveling across Italy, I could write a whole book of travel advice, especially about visitor etiquette. But if I had to narrow it down to the one most important tip for being a better traveler in Italy, it would be two simple words. Dress nicely. Of course, that's in addition to being polite, respectful and patient, as you hopefully would anywhere you're a visitor. But in a country known for its fashion, design and sense of style, as well as its long-standing traditions, dressing decently in Italy is a way of showing respect and courtesy, not just for yourself, but to the people you'll encounter and the places you'll visit. This doesn't mean you have to invest in a suitcase full of designer clothes for your trip to Italy; it just means you should leave the shabby stuff at home, starting with this list of hard nos: Avoid flip-flops because the people dining at the table next to you don't want to see the bottoms of your grubby feet. Really, none of us do so save those pseudo shoes for the beach. Basketball shorts or sweat pants may be comfy on your long-haul flight, but most Italians wouldn't even go to the grocery store in such attire, much less to a museum. Baseball caps advertise that you're a foreigner. But if you must wear one, take it off and put it out of sight anytime you're indoors, especially in restaurants and churches. T-shirts with glaring logos, like your university or favorite sports team, are considered too casual for daily wear. Stick to plain, solid-colored tees instead. Mini-skirts, booty shorts, and low-cut tank tops may work for a night on the town, but they're too much for daytime wear, and may prohibit you from entering churches where dress codes are enforced. While there's no hard and fast dress code for touring Italy, here's a safe rule of thumb to follow: dress like you're going to brunch. For men or women, that simply means looking pulled together, with clean, neat, wrinkle free clothing, structured shoes, and nothing on your body that resembles pajamas or slippers. Not only will you blend in a wee bit more, but you'll look like you give two cents about your appearance and that you're courteous enough to show up looking decently. You just might find you're welcomed a little more warmly in a nice outfit versus something you'd throw on to take out the garbage.
