Top tourist destinations based on Instagram trends

Social networks, especially Instagram, have had a profound impact on the choice of travel destinations in recent years. What was once advertised only by tours and tourism companies, today is introduced to millions of people with an attractive photo or video by ordinary users. Instagram, TikTok and YouTube with the power of image and video have become a powerful tool for creating new trends in the world of tourism. These platforms don’t just help introduce destinations; Rather, they turn them into destinations for users’ future travels.

1. Trending foreign tourist destinations on Instagram and social networks

Some of the tourist destinations that have become popular on Instagram and other social networks are mostly known for their beautiful natural scenery and unique experiences that they offer. Here are some examples of these destinations:

Maldives: tropical paradise

With pristine beaches and luxury overwater resorts, the Maldives has become a popular Instagram destination in recent years. Images of turquoise waters, overwater villas, and water activities like diving and swimming with fish have become popular on social media. Maldives is famous as one of the dream destinations for honeymoon and luxury travel, and the photos published from this place have had a great effect in attracting tourists.

Bali, Indonesia: Combining Nature and Culture

Bali is another popular destination on Instagram that, in addition to its natural beauty, also has a rich and diverse culture. From majestic temples and lush rice paddies to golden beaches, everything in Bali is perfect for taking photos and sharing on social media. Visiting the “Gates of Heaven” of Lempuyang Temple has become one of the travel requirements for Instagram lovers.

Santorini island, Greece

Santorini is one of the most popular trending destinations on Instagram. The unique architecture of white and blue houses, blue domed churches, and amazing sunsets along the Aegean Sea make this island one of the most popular places for photography. Many travel influencers record their photos on this island, and because of this, Santorini has become one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world.

_{Photo source: Kejaro Archive}

2. Iran’s tourist destinations with the potential of trending in social networks

In Iran, there are also destinations that, for various reasons, have not yet completely trended on social networks; But they have a high potential to attract tourists. These destinations may still be in the shadows due to lack of proper advertising, distance from large urban areas, or public’s unfamiliarity with their special features. Below are some of these destinations:

Lake Urmia

Lake Urmia is one of the largest saline lakes in the world, which has the potential to attract tourists due to its natural beauty and unique ecosystem. Although the condition of this lake has suffered in recent years due to the reduction of water, it is still possible to see certain beauties in this area. Attractive pictures of different colors of water and salty land can be an attraction for photographers and tourists.

Bam city

The city of Bam with its historical citadel, as one of the largest adobe buildings in the world, has many historical and cultural attractions; Despite this, this city has not been able to be fully recognized at the global level due to the earthquake of 2002 and the problems after that. With proper promotion, Bam can become an attractive destination for history lovers and cultural tourists.

Anzali Free Zone

As a free trade zone with beautiful beaches and natural attractions, Anzali has not yet been fully introduced on social media. Due to its pristine nature and recreational facilities, this area can be a suitable destination for domestic and foreign tourists.

Bam Lande

Bam Lande in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad is one of the attractive mountain and nature tourism destinations, which has received less attention due to its distance from well-known tourist areas. The unique natural landscapes and pleasant climate of this region can be interesting for those who are interested in mountaineering and nature tourism.

_{Lande city; Photo source: Mehromah}

Yazd city

Although Yazd has received more attention in recent years; But it still hasn’t completely trended in social networks. Due to the unique architecture, windmills, and rich culture of this city, Yazd can become one of the attractive tourist destinations.

Mount Damavand

Mount Damavand, as the highest peak of Iran and a natural symbol of the country, has special attractions. Although Damavand peak is a popular destination for mountaineers; But it has not yet been fully seen in social networks and can be more noticed.

Holt Strait

Helt Gorge in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad province is one of the less known destinations with its pristine natural scenery and beautiful hiking trails. This place has the potential to attract nature tourists due to its pristine and attractive nature.

With a little effort and proper advertising, these destinations can become trending destinations in the future and attract more tourists.

_{Photo source: Kejaro Archive}

3. Destination success factors in social networks

One of the most important factors of trending a destination on Instagram is its visual beauty. Destinations with stunning views, good lighting, and interesting photography angles are more likely to be shared on social media. For example, areas with turquoise waters, colorful architecture or snow-capped mountains naturally attract the eye.

Access to unique photography spots

Many travelers are looking for special and unique photography spots that will attract attention in their photos. Places such as the “Gates of Heaven” in Bali or the “Lorenzo Corridor” in Spain, which offer special and unforgettable scenes, are among the places that have become famous for their unique photo opportunities.

Special and exciting experiences

In addition to beauty, the experiences that travelers get at the destination are also important. For example, diving with sharks in the Maldives, or flying with a balloon in Cappadocia, Turkey, are among the experiences that people like to take pictures of and publish on social networks.

_{Photo source: Kejaro Archive}

4. The role of influencers in trending destinations

One of the main factors in the trending of tourist destinations in social networks is the activity of travel influencers and bloggers. With millions of followers, these people have the ability to quickly turn a place into one of the most popular tourist destinations.

Professional travel and photography influencers

Travel influencers use professional photography equipment and photo editing skills to showcase tourist destinations in a very attractive way. By collaborating with hotels and tourism companies, they show luxury or unusual experiences, which makes more audiences interested in traveling to that destination.

The effect of targeted advertising

Influencers often collaborate with travel and tourism brands to introduce new places. For example, luxury hotels in the Maldives or famous resorts in Bali usually use influencers to advertise to attract more attention.

_{Photo source: Kejaro Archive}

5. How to identify trending destinations in social networks

If you are also looking for trending destinations on Instagram and social networks, there are several ways:

Hashtags and location on Instagram

One of the easiest ways to find popular destinations on Instagram is to search for hashtags related to travel and geographic locations. For example, hashtags like #travelgoals or #bucketlistplaces can give you ideas for future trips.

Use of related applications

Some apps and websites like “Pinterest” or “TripAdvisor” also provide information about trending destinations. These applications use user opinions and current trends to introduce new destinations.

_{Photo source: Kejaro Archive}

6. Negative effects of trending destinations

The trending of tourist destinations in social networks, in addition to its charms, also brings its own disadvantages and problems. One of the biggest problems in this field is “overtourism”.

Overtourism refers to a situation in which the number of tourists in a certain destination increases to such an extent that it puts pressure on the infrastructure, the environment, and the quality of life of local residents. This phenomenon usually leads to the destruction of natural and cultural attractions, increasing the cost of living for residents and reducing the positive experience of tourists.

Damage to the environment

A sudden increase in the number of tourists in an area may lead to serious damage to the environment. For example, destinations such as the Maldives have faced problems such as the destruction of coral reefs due to the high pressure of tourists on the marine ecosystem.

Pressure on local communities

Trending destinations may put a lot of pressure on local infrastructure. Increased traffic, increased prices, and overcrowding can reduce the quality of life for local people and affect the tourist experience.

7. Solutions for sustainable and responsible tourism

To avoid the negative effects of trending destinations, it is better to travel in a responsible and sustainable way. Here are some suggestions for sustainable tourism:

Selection of less known destinations

Instead of going to famous and crowded destinations, you can choose destinations that are less known, but are just as beautiful and attractive. This work helps to distribute tourists better and reduce the pressure on touristic areas.

Supporting local communities

Try to use local businesses and services on your travels. Staying in eco-hotels, shopping at local stores and using local guides not only helps preserve the culture of the region but also boosts the economy of local communities.

_{Photo source: Kejaro Archive}

Social networks such as Instagram have not only helped in sharing travel experiences, but have also greatly influenced tourism destinations. Through the posts of influencers and regular users, many beautiful and unique places have quickly become popular and trending among the global audience. However, we should always pay attention to the positive and negative effects of this trend and pay attention to responsible and sustainable tourism.