Lately I’ve been thinking something. My algorithm is full of travel platforms, influencers to be specific. I was thinking about that and how it seems so impersonal as a travel avenue. Not much depth to videos, maybe a woman with a gorgeous dress walking up a flight of stairs or over a bridge. Its focus seems to be more on that person with pretty surroundings rather than the culture.
This reflects the travel industry for years! Pretty photos of sunsets over the mountains or a cabana on the beach. No description of the destination, its people, history, cuisine. For so many years, travel was to escape and have a taste of luxury. And for some people, that’s their preference (which is ok). The goal was for the company to make money, not connect humans.
When I started my business, I didn’t believe in being an influencer. It seem such a shallow take on representing a certain country and not at all interesting when it came to general travel. Sure, the dress is pretty or the bridge is a cool shot. But it tells me nothing about the destination. That’s not travel. Sticking a content creator in a spot to catch a sunrise isn’t travel. To me, travel is more about the people and not about the popular tourist destination. It’s about having unplanned moments that turn into a lifetime of memories. It’s about missing your train and scrambling to figure out your next steps. It’s about staring in awe at a cathedral built over 800 years ago. It’s about navigating place where the language isn’t one you speak. It’s being completely overwhelmed at the grocery store. It can be messy, disorganized, and chaotic. At the same time, it can be humbling, lovely, and life-altering.
I know so many travel platforms exist and I am so grateful you are here. Many companies sell you the getaway luxury; an escape from your chaotic life. That’s not me. I’m not here to sell you travel. I have no intention of being a travel influencer. I’m here to inspire.
