Social networks have transformed the way in which French people and foreign travelers choose their destinations. Between popular destinations and fragile natural sites, the hexagon sees certain places saturated by tourist flows that are sometimes unmanageable.
There was a time when destinations sought to attract tourists to boost the local economy. Then another one where the cities began to get excited about the influenceur’s affluence after having seen the Instagram video of an influencer. And finally, the current one where sites are conversely trying to get rid of the mass of visitors hanging on their phones to go right to the place of content posted by a creator.
If positive aspects for the regions are undeniable, the impact of social networks on travel in France is not always happy. With 102 million foreign visitors, the country broke a new record, making it one of the most popular on media platforms.
33% of the French are influenced by social networks when it comes to choosing a destination for their travels
Every tourist season has its share of inconveniences. And rightly so. If some sites were already ultra popular during the holidays, others face an overtourism difficult to control, related to photos and videos posted on social networks.
With algorithms favoring the “viralization” of spectacular visual content, some French destinations are experiencing this massive influx of travelers, who came to immerse themselves in a popular address on platforms and then resubmit their experience on the internet.
The shared content often serves as informal guides: itinerary ideas, “instagramable” spots, restaurant tips, must-see places… Social networks are no longer just used to share your own vacation photos, but have become a key medium for discovering and planning trips.
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