Landmarks under constant threat of destruction — selfies are to blame

Cultural and historical landmarks are going downhill thanks to “selfie-tourism,” and UNESCO is warning that it could lead to destruction.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization defines “selfie-tourism” as “the trend of travelers visiting destinations primarily to take and share photos of themselves, often with iconic landmarks and escapes in the background.”

This trend differs from traditional vacation photos — like a family picture taken in front of popular landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, according to The Mirror.

Rather, selfie-tourism sees tourists choosing specific travel destinations solely because they are “aesthetically pleasing” and will look good on social media feeds.

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

The uptick in this trend has led to certain cities and areas becoming overcrowded and impacting locals in a negative way, though it depends on the destination, the spokesperson said.

“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,” a UNESCO spokesperson said.

“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.”

But overcrowded and an influx of tourists aren’t the only issue.

“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,” they explained.

Destinations going viral on social media have also led to struggling in managing the influx of tourists and putting protective safety measures in place, as well as accelerating “wear and tear on historical sites, natural landscapes, and infrastructure.”

Another huge concern for UNESCO is the ultimate “loss of significance, essential to the existence of a cultural or natural site” as people try to snap the perfect photo to match their Instagram feeds rather than engaging with the significance and history behind a place and having an authentic experience.

The agency is hoping to implement strategies to promote sustainable tourism and prevent over-tourism, such as limiting the number of visitors, implementing timed entry tickets or completely restricting access to certain areas.

Additionally, they hope that by educating the influencers that make these places go viral and set travel trends, the influencers will be able to “set precedents for millions of followers.”

“UNESCO urges visitors to approach these sites with respect and curiosity, encourages them to take the time to really experience the unique culture and heritage of destinations and to remember that their actions have an impact on the preservation of these sites and the wellbeing of communities surrounding the sites,” the UNESCO spokesperson added.

This isn’t the first time selfies have caused worldwide concern.

A review published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research in September suggested that taking selfies is now considered dangerous — and they can pose a “public health problem.”