Social media is the modern-day travel agent
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Travelers are using social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to plan their trips, ditching the traditional travel agent.
The big picture: The travel agent industry expects to experience slow demand this year as travelers are booking independently with the help of online platforms, including social media.
By the numbers: Hashtags like #TravelTikTok (13.3M posts) and #TikTokTravel (16.9M posts) feature millions of users showing viewers how, when and where to travel.
- TikTok saw a 410% increase in travel content views from 2021 to 2024, with 32% of users saying they booked stays discovered on the app, according to an Influencer marketing study.
- 35% of global travelers say they've turned to social media for ideas, with this number jumping to 53% for Gen Z alone, per the study.
Between the lines: TikTok is currently expanding its local services business to the U.S., hiring people who will focus on partnering with creators in the lifestyle and travel spaces, Axios' Sara Fischer reports.
💭 My thought bubble: Planning a fall girls' trip to Chicago has never been easier. Treating TikTok, Instagram and Reddit as search engines helped me create an itinerary.
Typing "places to go in..." in the search bars of TikTok and Instagram will bring you to thousands of videos with recommendations. On TikTok's mobile app, there are subheadings to click for a more specific search, like "birthday," "family" or "free."
- The comment sections of TikTok videos and Reddit threads are goldmines for travel hacks. Locals from the cities you want to visit often drop tips and tricks there.
Getting insight from travel bloggers on YouTube and Pinterest can also help create a dream itinerary.
Yes, but: Ditching a travel agent and creating an itinerary on your own might be more time-consuming.
- You might also rely on misleading reviews or discover your dream destination isn't quite what it seems online.
The bottom line: Gone are the days of consulting a travel agent. Social media could be your free ticket to your next best trip.
