Here’s a sad thing about living in 2019: travel spots that were once “hidden gems” are not so hidden anymore. It’s a hard truth to face but the concept of a unique and adventurous travel experience has almost been completely abolished. Who is the culprit? Instagram and travel influencers.
Through a simple hashtag search: #phillipines, #india, #thailand, we’re flooded with pictures of all the “remote” and “secret spots” of that particular country. Instagram’s over-exposure of certain places has led to some awful effects for the communities attached to them. This photography-focused platform has left low-socioeconomic communities vulnerable to mass-tourism.
A prime example of this can be seen on the Phillipines’ Boracay Island. In 2018, the entire island closed for six months out of need for restoration. I’m slightly impressed but mostly disgusted that a bunch of rowdy travellers and influencers caused enough havoc to shut down a literal island. There’s one silver lining here: at least, for those 6 months, the locals saw peace.
“Boosting the economy” is the card often used to justify mass-travel and for that argument, I have one question: would you care if your economy was “boosted” if it meant ruining the environment and worsening living conditions for the poor? That’s what’s happening in the Philippines, dear friends.
A representative from White Banana Beach Club in the Philippines recently told HuffPost that mass tourism has meant a massive surge in the price of goods and services which locals simply can not afford. Considering that in 2015, almost a quarter of the country lived at or below the poverty line, this is a pretty dire consequence.
Posting to Facebook, White Banana Beach Club wrote, “We kindly would like to announce that White Banana is not interested to ‘collaborate’ with self-proclaimed ‘influencers.’ And we would like to suggest to try another way to eat, drink, or sleep for free. Or try to actually work.”
It’s hard to believe that travel influencers are doing this so frequently that this business felt they needed to publicly call it out? The sass in their post is astounding, inspirational and to be frank, completely called-for.
It appears some individuals are completely lacking in travel etiquette, so if you’re an aspiring traveller, here are some tips:
- Don’t ask for free things
- Support local businesses
- Minimise your waste. Invest in one of those high-tech water bottles that filter dirty water.
- And finally, if a place is already suffering from mass-tourism, go somewhere else.
By all means, take your selfies and live your best life but please, for the sake of struggling communities, stop engaging in horrific tourist behaviour.