Is this the end of social media travel? Skyscanner’s 2020 Travel Trends report gives us a hint
Is it the end of perfectly-filtered Instagram travel photos? Skyscanner’s new 2020 Travel Trends report is in and the findings might just inspire you to look at your next holiday through a different lens.
The report, which surveyed more than 7,800 travellers across seven markets in Asia-Pacific, found holidaymakers were less influenced by social media than they were back in 2018; “social media travel” was one of the top motivators for travel in 2018, but experienced a whopping 44 per cent decline for 2020.
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The effects of social media on mental health have been well-documented. Studies have shown social media can negatively affect one’s self-esteem, memory retention and focus. Particularly for travel, online platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook can detract individuals from enjoying the moment in real-time.
Perhaps gone are the days of the “Insta-tourist”, who needed to rigorously document and filter every piña colada, every toe in the sand, every wide-brimmed sun hat or every generic boarding pass for the ’gram.
Or perhaps it’s too early to hammer the final nail in the social media coffin.
Although social media travel has experienced a tremendous drop, 5 per cent of travel planned by Hongkongers for 2020 was still inspired by social media, says Skyscanner.
One also has to wonder about what this trend means for the world of travel Instagram influencers, who have built massive followings from perfect, pastel-hued photographs of their travels across the globe. Will their popularity also decline? Or will holidaymakers continue to use the Instagram grid of travel influencers as holiday inspiration?
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Instead of social media travel, Skyscanner’s Trend Report notes the rise of “JOMO” travel in 2020, or travel that is inspired by the “joy of missing out”, and detaching from our electronically hyperconnected routines. This category of holiday seems like the direct antithesis of social media travel – which is often associated with FOMO, known as the ‘fear of missing out’.
With the downfall of social media travel also comes the drop in popularity for solo trips across the Asia-Pacific markets. Solo trips experienced a 42 per cent year-on-year decline, according to the report.
If you’re travelling with good company, the need to frequently post about your travels on Instagram might seem less appealing.
However, favourite destinations for Hong Kong travellers have stayed almost the same. Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Thailand still top the list for popular getaway spots, likely because of their proximity to Hong Kong but also because of the ease of planning for these well-travelled countries versus more obscure destinations.
In Europe, Skyscanner reported flight price reductions by -12 per cent for Barcelona, Budapest and Lisbon. These destinations provide the best value for those considering travel to Europe in 2020.
Wherever you go, it might be a good idea to give your smartphone a miss.
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Are the days of documenting every trip, cocktail and night out on Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter over?