Social media, particularly Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, have become primary sources of tourist inspiration, leading many travelers to plan holidays based on seemingly perfect photographs found in their "feeds". These images frequently show deserted beaches, picturesque villages and crystal-clear water coves, which can appear at the right moment and quickly influence a holiday destination decision.
The reality of these locations, however, often diverges from what is presented online. Beaches that appear solitary may be filled with tourists, charming villages may have inflated prices, and seemingly accessible locations may present significant access difficulties. The article illustrates this discrepancy with the example of St. Mark's Square in Venice, which appears on social media as a quiet and deserted place, when in reality it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world.
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube allow people to discover locations that, just a few years ago, were practically unknown to the general public. This democratization of destination discovery has transformed previously remote destinations into highly sought-after places, completely altering the experience that travelers expect to find.
