In the same vein as “food porn”, “travel porn” is today a fundamental trend on social networks, a phenomenon which gives a new perception of travel, but which also poses serious questions.
We now know “food porn”, which consists of taking magnificent photos of various and varied dishes: in the media and particularly on social networks, “food porn” shows dishes that make you salivate in a sublimated version. . But how does the more recent trend of “travel porn” work, which also relies on excess, but this time applied to the world of travel?
What is “travel porn”?
“Travel porn” is a phenomenon that has appeared on all forms of media, but is particularly found through a hashtag on social networks (2.3 million hashtags on Instagram). Accompanying photos and videos, it characterizes the paradisiacal journey at its peak. Here, the bigger the image, the better.
This phenomenon is a way for Internet users to distinguish themselves from others on social networks. Before, sharing travel photos was a way of exposing memories to loved ones. Today it is, for some people, a way to stand out on social networks and to emphasize their social level, sometimes playing on opulence. This desire for distinction is not necessarily negative if you flourish during the trip and want to be a little lathered on social networks on your return … A little narcissistic, of course, but we know that being envied at times can be rewarding. And then what a pleasure to scroll endlessly on these images from the end of the world …
Palm trees, swimming pool and like rain
Heavenly images, landscapes and a dream body … When Brad jumps out of bed to join his breakfast on a flowery tray floating on the surface of a turquoise swimming pool, we could almost see ourselves there. The fantasy, that’s what attracts. Content of this kind can be scanned for hours, every day, by Internet users. Of course, we know that the images are retouched. But it is complicated, if not impossible, to prevent yourself from being in awe of a magnificent sunset in Greece, especially when you have been stuck in your small apartment for a year of the pandemic. Calling on our imagination, these images are the starting point for online daydreams. A way to get out of everyday life, to think of something else and to forget your problems for a few minutes, while discovering places that were then unknown to us.
Result: “travel porn” has become a means of choosing one’s next destination for the summer. According to a study conducted by Next Content for Expedia and unveiled in 2018, 48% of French people questioned, aged between 18 and 24, say they are often influenced in their choice of destination by the content shared on social networks. Escape and inspiration, would “travel porn” have any good?
When hastag rhymes with mass tourism
Like “food porn”, “travel porn” aims to make Internet users want and make them salivate. It is therefore logical that they can very quickly feel frustrated not to do so. part of the frame and that he / she will then wish to reproduce the same idyllic photo … Moreover, under the appearance of a unique experience, travel porn ends up being redundant: same vacation spots, same activities, even the same way of take pictures, which have never been so aptly named.
Very famous examples, touching the antenna of the Eiffel Tower with your finger or pushing the Tower of Pisa so that it does not fall are two poses widely used by tourists, who will then post the results on Instagram or Facebook. Perform the traditional pose or capture a famous place becoming a way to put a cross on the list of must-see places to visit. It is also a way for Internet users to distinguish themselves socially, so that they, in turn, can make their community want. Social networks have become for some a means of expression in order to integrate a privileged social class, by posting photos showing all types of wealth. A bit like taking steps to become part of this unique and dominant group. We can clearly see here the limits of “travel porn”, which can lead to constant comparison, frustration and loss of reference points …
Quite logically, the phenomenon also contributes to mass tourism and therefore contributes to environmental pollution, social inequalities … even the intensification of animal abuse. Very fashionable, selfies with wild animals, a good way to stand out and like (who would resist a selfie with a tiger with wet eyes?). Thailand is the ideal place to stage yourself with a pretty critter, in photos that won’t show the harsh reality. Example: that of elephant rides. To make them possible, mahouts traditionally make notches on the heads of pachyderms in order to train them, then leave them chained for several hours a day. Finally, what to think of his photos which depict racialized children? Sometimes a seemingly innocent image actually conveys hints of domination and neocolonialism, as explained very well. this Slate article devoted to the subject of child photographs living on other continents … So you will have understood it, before releasing a heart or a blue thumb under a photo, it is not useless to wonder what are behind the scenes.
Lea Lecuyer
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