Social media trends and cultural heritage shape modern travel

Travel trends are increasingly shaped by social media, leading to the phenomenon of 'Instagramability,' where locations are judged by their shareability. While this can promote tourism, it also poses environmental risks. In Berchtesgaden National Park, the Königsbach Waterfall—popularly known as the 'Instagram Pool'—was closed for five years due to overcrowding, trampled vegetation, and illegal camping. A committee will decide on reopening access by late October 2026.

Beyond social media trends, travel is also being framed as a means of cultural and historical exploration. For Black women, destinations connected to the African diaspora offer opportunities for deeper engagement with history. Notable locations include New Orleans, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Charleston, Memphis, and the Mississippi Delta in the United States, as well as Accra, Ghana, and Dakar, Senegal, for international cultural exploration.