Nadia “Sparkle” Henry
Like it or not, social media has transformed the travel industry. Today, many travelers learn about vacation destinations by watching influencers post photos and videos of breathtaking landscapes, unique experiences, and beautiful historical sites, and then decide they want to experience those destinations and recreate them for themselves and their followers.
With so many vacationers turning to social media for inspiration, travel agents need to know which destinations are most popular online.
With that in mind, here are three travel destinations I’ve been seeing a lot on Instagram recently that you absolutely must check out.
1. Bali: Known as the Island of the Gods, Bali attracts tourists for its stunning beaches, ancient temples, cultural events, and of course, some of the best photo spots.
Recently, many tourists have been posting pictures of themselves on the Bali Swing and other swings that appear there. These swings soar above the jungle, rice fields, and rivers, making for amazing photos. Many vacationers rent flying dresses for their Bali Swing trips. The long trains of these dresses flow beautifully as you swing, making for even more dramatic images.
Tourists also enjoy visiting and taking photos of the many temples in Bali, including the 10th-century Tirta Empul temple. Many believe that the natural hot springs and baths surrounding the temple have healing properties. The ancient architecture of Tirta Empul also looks fantastic in photos, so tourists can’t resist taking their own photos there.
2. Dubai: With its mix of historical sites, futuristic architecture, luxurious attractions and vibrant nightlife, it’s no wonder Dubai is on many people’s travel bucket lists.
Many tourists and influencers enjoy taking photos in the desert in flowing dresses, but the city itself is home to many photogenic spots, including Dubai Frame, Burj Khalifa, Arabian Tea House, and Al Bastikaya Historical District.
Dubai has beautiful white sand beaches, many of which offer views of the city skyline in the distance, making for some impressive photo opportunities.
3. Greece: Beautiful islands, amazing beaches, vibrant nightlife – Instagrammers love it, and Greece has it all in abundance.
The island of Santorini is famous for its natural beauty and white buildings with blue roofs. Influencers and vacationers love posing in front of these structures.
Visitors to Navagio Beach (also known as Shipwreck Beach) in Zakynthos will find the remains of a merchant ship that smuggled cigarettes and alcohol to the Ionian islands in the 1980s. Zakynthos also has amazing sea caves that are great to explore and make for unforgettable photos.
Elafonisi Beach in Crete is popular with tourists and influencers alike. Known for its pink ombre sandy shoreline, it attracts vacationers looking to add a unique touch to their beach photos.
Known as the Ibiza of Greece, Mykonos is primarily known for its nightlife. Mykonos is filled with clubs, bars, and beach clubs, where locals and tourists dance the night away, always a popular subject for Instagram snappers.
The Peloponnese, Athens and Crete are some of the most popular destinations for those who want to learn more about Greek history and take photos in front of ancient Greek architecture.
