UNESCO Says ‘Selfie-Tourism’ is Destroying Historical and Cultural Landmarks

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) says that historical landmarks are at risk of being destroyed as a result of “selfie-tourism.”

In a statement, UNESCO warned that the mounting phenomenon of selfie-tourism could lead to severe consequences to for world’s most iconic locales if not addressed.

UNESCO defines selfie-tourism as the practice where travelers visit destinations primarily to take and share photos of themselves, often with iconic landmarks in the background.

Unlike traditional tourism, which focuses on capturing personal memories, selfie-tourism is fueled by the need to generate visually appealing content for social media.

Now, holidaymakers are choosing travel destinations simply because they look ideal for an Instagram photo.

“This phenomenon gained significant traction with the rise of social media platforms, where visually appealing content drives user engagement,” a UNESCO spokesperson tells 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.”

‘People go to Great Lengths for the Ideal Shot’

The agency says that the trend toward selfie tourism is already having several negative impacts on cultural and historical landmarks across the world. The shift has led to overcrowding at popular destinations, placing significant strain on local communities and infrastructure.

“The impact of selfie-tourism varies depending on the destination,” the UNESCO spokesperson says.

“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.

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

“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.”

Selfies Threaten the Sustainability of Tourism

In some areas where a holiday destination has gone viral on social media, the sudden influx of visitors becomes overwhelming. Consequently, local communities struggle to implement protective measures fast enough to manage the surge in interest.

“It threatens the sustainability of tourism by encouraging a high volume of visitors to congregate in specific areas, often leading to over-tourism,” a UNESCO spokesperson tells The Mirror.

“This concentrated foot traffic can accelerate wear and tear on historical sites, natural landscapes, and infrastructure.”

UNESCO urged holidaymakers to approach holiday sites “with respect and curiosity.” It asked that tourists “remember that their actions have an impact on the preservation of the sites.”

In recent years, holiday towns have been forced to introduced hefty fines for tourists who linger “too long” to take selfies in popular photography spots. The mayor of Portofino in Italy announced a rule that will fine tourists $300 (275 euros) for loitering in beauty spots in the photogenic fishing village.

Meanwhile, a picturesque Austrian town that is believed to have inspired Disney’s Frozen erected a fence in a bid to stop tourists from taking selfies.

 
Image credits: Header photo licensed via Depositphotos.