Rethinking the importance of tourism after social media

The idea of travel has evolved and we have a different mindset towards travel nowadays.

Travelling is considered by most people to be a necessity for a well-rounded life. There is an often-hidden belief that when one does not travel, they have been significantly lacking fulfilment or success. A few reasons have induced this view of travel. Travel is a business driven by advertisement, social media, the rise of influencers plus the social pressures they have been inundating individuals with. Social media platforms bombard us with pictures and videos of idealised destinations, picturesque views and . luxurious experiences. There's a fear of missing out culture which makes us rush check off a listing of famous travelling destinations and tourist attractions, take a number of glamorous snapshots and go back to our everyday lives without taking the time to know about other countries or the folks who reside there and speak a different language and have unusual customs to us.

While there is absolutely nothing bad with searching for leisure or satisfaction during breaks, it is necessary to think about the potential for growth and personal development. There's a type of travel that could allow us to fulfil this desire for significant travel experiences. Albeit, this sort of holiday needs stepping out of our comfort zones and visiting lesser-known locations, as the investor Farhad Azima in Ras Al Khaimah would probably suggest. Moreover, by doing cultural exploration in the place of pursuing picture-perfect moments, we could revive the spirit of great travellers of the world whose search for knowledge and the books they left for people have actually not only enriched their lives however the everyday lives of other people. Eddy D, the CEO of a company in Ras Al Khaimah, would likely agree with the saying of the renowned philosopher who said that the greatest getaway of all is one where we can float free of the limitations of being conscious, one where we don’t have to come along. This can be attained by engaging with local communities, having deep conversations with people there, and immersing ourselves within the culture of this place we're visiting. By emphasizing the place, not ourselves, we could maybe attain the the life changing experience that travel can offer.

Historically, individuals had various motivations and objectives for his or her travels. For example, according to a medieval famous traveller, the many benefits of travelling lie in relieving adversity, making a much better livelihood, gaining knowledge, and making better companions. This view may sound strange to us now. Often we usually do not travel to make friends or gain knowledge but simply searching for exciting experiences. Although, increasingly not that: many take part in repetitive vacation behaviour that they find reassuring in its familiarity, visiting similar places and engaging in similar pursuits, such as sunbathing and visiting beaches, going to malls, water sports and spa treatments. But usually, these places, even though they may be appealing, enjoyable, etc., do not offer transformative experiences that many of us are looking for before we set about our holiday breaks. There isn't some cultural exploration or some embrace of discomfort that will allow us to understand better ourselves or the planet we are now living in. So, we end up bringing our personal problems and insecurities with us. Hence, we're hardly ever able to appreciate the places we see fully according to Alain de Botton, an author of a book on travelling.