‘Selfie Tourism’ Damaging Iconic Locations, Officials Warn

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is sounding the alarm about the mounting phenomenon of “selfie tourism,” which the organization says could destroy some of the world’s most iconic locales.

UNESCO defines selfie tourism as “the trend of travelers visiting destinations primarily to take and share photos of themselves, often with iconic landmarks and escapes in the background.” The organization acknowledges that while taking photographs has been a hobby of travelers for as long as cameras have existed, selfie tourism is a different beast altogether.

“This phenomenon gained significant traction with the rise of social media platforms, where visually appealing content drives user engagement,” a UNESCO spokesperson told The Mirror. “While people have always taken photos on vacation, the focus has shifted from capturing memories to creating shareable moments, often with the aim of garnering likes, followers, and social media fame.”

Selfie tourism has led to some sensitive areas and ecosystems being overrun with picture-hungry tourists, which in some destinations has impacted locals in negative ways. “In many cases, it has led to overcrowding at specific landmarks, creating pressure on local infrastructure, and contributing to the degradation of the overall visitor experience,” the spokesperson explained.

UNESCO added that the craze was accelerating “wear and tear on historical sites, natural landscapes, and infrastructure” from which recovery might be impossible. It noted the phenomenon could lead to a “loss of significance” for the destinations, something “essential to the existence of a cultural or natural site.”

“Some destinations, previously lesser-known, have been propelled into the global spotlight through social media,” the spokesperson continued, “resulting in a surge of visitors that can impact the local environment and communities.”

However, UNESCO specified that overcrowding isn’t the only concerning issue. As always, poorly behaved travelers risk ruining everyone else’s fun. “Additionally, the focus on capturing the perfect photo can sometimes lead to disrespectful or harmful behavior, such as trespassing, vandalism, or even accidents, as people go to great lengths for the ideal shot,” the organization said.

UNESCO blasted the influencers who “set precedents for millions of followers” by posting tourism selfies, encouraging them to set better examples for their fans. “UNESCO urges visitors to approach these sites with respect and curiosity, encourages them to take the time to really experience the unique culture and heritage of destinations and to remember that their actions have an impact on the preservation of these sites and the wellbeing of communities surrounding the sites,” the organization advised.

Desecration of land aside, selfie tourism has led to some dangerous incidents in the last few months. Last month, a tourist died while trying to take a selfie at a popular waterfall in Bali. In April, a man was mauled by a brown bear after a disastrous attempt at taking a selfie.