The Curious Case of Tourism Trends That Won’t Die

Some trends in tourism, much like a bad travel souvenir, refuse to fade away. No matter how outdated, ineffective, or downright ridiculous they may be, they linger—paraded around as innovation when they’re really just… not. And somehow, they keep making their way into campaign decks and conference presentations like they’ve just been discovered.

But let’s be honest: Are these trends sticking around because they work, or simply because no one’s been bold enough to say, “Enough already”?

?? Trends That Need a One-Way Ticket Out

?? The Overly Filtered Destination Photos—If I see one more travel ad where the sky looks like it was personally retouched by Van Gogh, I’m going to need a minute. Travelers show up expecting magic and instead get reality. Let’s stop setting people up for disappointment and start selling the actual experience, shall we? Some destinations are catching on—leaning into real, lived-in beauty over airbrushed perfection. The rest? Well, they’re still selling a fantasy.

?? The Hashtag Overload—Listen, if your campaign hashtag requires a press release to explain it, we have a problem. Nobody is out here typing #ExperienceTheLimitlessPossibilitiesOfOurDestination into their Instagram captions. The destinations winning the social game? They’re using snappy, memorable, organic hashtags—or better yet, crafting campaigns so compelling people don’t need a hashtag to remember them.

?? The AI-Generated Blandness—Ah yes, the content that sounds like it was written by a chatbot who has never actually been to your destination. AI is a tool, not a substitute for creativity. Some brands are using it to enhance their storytelling, but too many are using it as a shortcut to mass-produce lifeless content. If your marketing feels like it came straight from an algorithm, travelers will scroll right past it.

?? But Here’s the Good News…

Some destinations are breaking the mold—leaning into authenticity, storytelling, and fresh ideas that actually connect. They’re ditching the outdated formulas and creating campaigns that feel personal, immersive, and, most importantly, real.

Instead of overly polished visuals, they’re showing what makes them unique. Instead of forcing a clunky hashtag, they’re creating narratives that travelers want to be part of. Instead of letting AI do the talking, they’re using it to enhance human creativity—not replace it.

So, What’s Next?

Trends evolve, and so should we. Maybe it’s time we stop recycling the same safe ideas and start pushing for something bolder. Something better.

So tell me, what’s one tourism trend you love—or one you wish would disappear forever? Let’s talk. ??