Is traveling to a remote swimming hole in the middle of a rainforest one of your travel itineraries? Or are you planning on finally taking that Safari adventure and staying at a luxury log cabin located in a national park? If yes, chances are, Instagram has influenced you.

People all over the world are traveling more. And one of the main reasons why this is such is due to Instagram; a photo and video sharing social media platform with over 700 million active users worldwide. And it’s played a huge role in affecting travel and the hospitality industry in the past few years.

1. Motivates People to Travel More

Almost every active Instagram user posts at least one picture of their travel experiences, sharing images that only invoke envy but creating emotional connections with viewers. And it is these images that motivate people to pack their bags and take that much-wanted vacation, as well.

Travelling has always been something that people do – exploring new places, meeting new people, and just taking some time away from their daily routines. But Instagram has made it possible for millions of people to share their travel experiences through beautifully-taken pictures that make viewers crave for the very same experiences.

Before the internet, people had to rely on pictures from friends who traveled or travel guidebooks, but today, all you have to do is open Instagram and you are bombarded with millions of stunning photos of places and activities that ignite your sense of adventure.

And while it would take weeks, months or even years to plan a vacation before social media arrived, planning a trip and an itinerary now takes only a few minutes. Instagram’s hashtags and Geotags allow you to discover new places, as well as hotels, restaurants, and activities, that you won’t need to do much research to get the most out of your vacation.

2. Creates Communities Where People Can Connect and Share Their Lives

One of the basic needs of human beings is the need to belong. With hundreds of millions of users, Instagram allows you to become part of communities with like-minded people. People from different parts of the world are within easy reach – you can quickly comment on their posts or send them messages, and you get instant connections.

When you post your images, people from all over the world can “Like,” comment, and even share your posts, giving you positive reinforcement, and making you want to travel more and post more photos.

In a way, Instagram does make your life less lonely through the communities that you support and who support you back, as well.

3. Shine the Spotlight on Social and Environmental Issues

Today, traveling is no longer limited to the mere fact of enjoying and indulging yourself. It has now become an avenue for environmentalists, activists, and photographers to spread awareness and educate the rest of the world about significant social and environmental issues.

Hashtags such as #climatechange and #savetheseas allow you to discover environmental issues that are important for nature, which give you awareness of how to travel consciously.

4. Improves Your Skills in Photography and Videography

When Instagram users post mouth-watering overlay photos from some swanky hotel in Paris, and you want to do the same, it forces you to keep up and improve your skills when it comes to photography, making you more creative.

More and more users are taking pictures outside of Instagram, as well as using 3rd party editing apps to create beautiful images to post – fostering your photography and creative skills in general.

5. Spreading Positivity

Harnessing the power of the internet for positivity is as easy as 1-2-3 on Instagram. One such way is by simply posting uplifting and meaningful messages, as well as photos of you such as enjoying your time with family and friends at the beach.

If Instagram can influence you to travel more, it can also be used to influence you to be more positive about life and your experiences.

A simple tip for travelers

While you want to have Instagrammable photos in every single one of your travel experiences, it is always a better idea to enjoy the experience first. Getting likes and comments on your posts is a great thing, but it shouldn’t be the only reason why you want to take those photos in the first place.

Traveling energizes your soul, opens up your mind, and allows you to reconnect with yourself and loved ones, so let this platform to do all these things, and not just for likes.

Tips for business owners

Whether you would like to inspire, connect, or simply promote what you offer, download the app, create an account, and start sharing now! Also, read our article about the power of social media to promote your property rental.