Is your Netflix feed dictating your vacations? This is why you shouldn't follow the "location vacation" trend.
With streaming platforms like HBO or Netflix, binge-watching has become the new pastime for all. This sociological movement has also made its way into the tourism industry influencing our decision-making in terms of travel destinations.
According to Tripadvisor, one in five travellers last year went on a “set-jetting” vacation, choosing the location based on their TV series preferences. A growing number of fans wanting to experience first-hand what these mainstream retreats offered to their idolised characters is booming the travel industry. Although this entertainment-oriented mass tourism is, to a certain extent, prompting their economic growth, it will be naïve to think we are making these countries a favour.
Tourism in Colombia has increased thanks to the blockbuster TV series Narcos. The potential proceeds injected in its economy, however, do not excuse the elevation of a drug smuggler and killer to the condition of a praised personality. Colombians do not want to thank their popularity to Pablo Escobar. The emotional harm that we cause to the native communities when we travel should be, indeed, our business. The end not always justifies the means.
In only 10 years, Iceland has seen its tourism numbers grow by 386% as a result of the “Game of Thrones effect”. Along the same lines, Dubrovnik is feeling overcrowded after serving as the main filming set for King’s Landing with an average of 10,000 tourists a day.
Entering fees or cap on visitors’ number will not, unfortunately, impede the arrival of multinational chains or sponsored products of our favourite TV shows. Local businesses are being pushed out from their hometowns and traditional souvenirs are changed for “Game of Thrones” keychains and mugs.
Tourists are travelling to these places to find out how much of those fictional worlds meet reality, completely forgetting what the destinations really have to offer. The real places in front of us surely beat all the expectations we have of the imaginary Winterfell.
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