7 travel destinations that have gotten too popular for their own good by Mary Hanbury on Aug 1, 2017, 10:35 AM Advertisement
 Social media is our new travel agent, and it's changing the places we go. Next time you're scrolling through Instagram enviously looking at vacation photos of uninterrupted views and dramatic landscapes, console yourself with the fact that behind this secluded view there are likely at least a handful of other people holding their selfie sticks, waiting to get their magic shot. In some cases, the newfound fame brought about by Instagram and other social media platforms has helped to boost local economies and bring tourists to places they might never have discovered otherwise. In other cases, it's creating problems for countries and cities that are simply not equipped to deal with the influx of tourists. Check out some of the incredible locations around the world that have blown up on Instagram: SEE ALSO: The 13 best adults-only, all-inclusive hotels in the Caribbean Iceland Instagram Embed:
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Width: 658px This northern island nation has seen a dramatic surge in visitors over the past few years. One reason for that is the so-called "'Game of Thrones' effect," as many travelers want the opportunity to Instagram photos of themselves in the dramatic landscapes that appeared in the series. This, combined with the availability of cheap flights and some very effective marketing campaigns, has made Iceland a popular travel destination. The number of tourists almost doubled from 566,000 to over 1 million between 2011 and 2015, according to Iceland's tourism board. In 2016, the number of Americans visiting the country outnumbered the Icelandic population. The country was recently likened to Disneyland by a local politician who complained that the area is now swarming with tourists. While this influx of visitors has brought a much-needed boost to the economy post-recession, it's also pushed up prices for residents and put pressure on the infrastructure. Locals complain of tourists destroying the fragile ecosytem and leaving a mess behind them as they trample over the formerly untouched natural sites.
Cuba Instagram Embed:
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Width: 658px According to Cuba's ministry of tourism, four million visitors went to Cuba in 2016, an increase of 13% from the year before. The tourism boom has had some consequences for the country's residents, The New York Times reported in December 2016. The surge in visitors has led to a food shortage, and basic food items have become completely unaffordable for locals. Local hotels and restaurants are buying up supplies in bulk for guests, pushing up prices and leaving limited amounts for locals. The situation has been acknowledged by the Cuban government, who put caps on prices to make them more affordable for residents. This has only encouraged sellers to put products on the black market, according to The New York Times.
New Zealand Instagram Embed:
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Width: 658px New Zealand has a similar appeal to Iceland: rugged and untouched landscapes that also make for epic backdrops in movies like "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit." The beauty of the country was further promoted in the "100% Pure New Zealand" tourism marketing campaign. Tourism is a crucial part of New Zealand's economy. It contributes $9.7 billion to the GDP each year and employs 7.5% of the workforce. Residents complain that tourists who are able to camp and roam wherever they like often don't respect the environment. The country also doesn't have the infrastructure in place to cope with the trash and human waste that's often left behind by tourists. Bloomberg reported that there are hotel shortages and a lack of adequate parking and public toilets. In a survey of 500 residents published by Tourism New Zealand and Tourism Industry Aotearoa in March 2017, 35% of respondents said that tourism puts too much pressure on the country.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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