From #VacationPrep and #ChasingSunsetViews to the #RomanEmpire and 731.5 million #TravelHacks, here’s what’s keeping the TravelTok community awake at night. Plus, the travel experts weigh in: are those travel hacks legit?

Dreaming up your next vacay? Skip the travel guides and turn instead to that timeless source of inspiration – your social media feeds.

Scrolling through Instagram and TikTok has become the new way Gen Z and similarly minded travellers research and discover destinations to add to their travel bucket list. In just seconds, you can visually position yourself across the globe.

Before you’ve even set foot in the airport, social media serves up endless wanderlust fuel, from glittering metropolises in the desert to ‘soft hiking’ and how to prep for your trip.

But what exactly are the hottest travel trends and destinations being showcased on most feeds right now? We break down 2023’s most picture-perfect vacations going viral on the ‘gram and TikTok. But be street-smart – even on your phone. We give you the expert lowdown on some of those #travelhacks, too.

Trend-influenced Travel

#RomanEmpire
Natural wonders aside, what about travel experiences that offer a touch of whimsy? TikTok is serving up plenty of inspiration in this department in 2023. One of the biggest trends involves men embracing their inner Russell Crowe in Gladiator through the viral #RomanEmpire hashtag.

It all started when one TikToker asked how often men think about the glory days of this ancient civilisation. The responses came pouring in, with people eagerly detailing their frequent daydreams of Roman conquests, culture, and gladiator glory. Searches for ‘Roman Empire’ even hit a 10-year high on Google.

While reliving the days of Caesar may not be on your travel bucket list, you can still visit historic Roman ruins and sites across Europe, from the Colosseum to Hadrian’s Wall.

#SoftHiking
If you prefer a more leisurely vacation, check out #SoftHiking, another trending TikTok topic with 2.2 million views. This relaxing take on outdoor adventures involves gently exploring nature without pushing too many physical limits. This is a perfect trend for those who find intense hiking intimidating but still want to enjoy wandering through gorgeous landscapes – and getting the snaps to prove it.

#VacationPrep
And don’t forget the latest TikTok travel prep craze: pre-vacation beauty routines, from Botox to Brazilian waxes. Travellers are sharing their full holiday glow-up checklists to look flawless for all those dreamy vacay photos. Apparently, with enough injectables and laser treatments, you too can stage bikini-ready photos straight out of the next Sports Illustrated issue!

The Most Hashtag-ed Destinations on TikTok

Analysing travel hashtag data reveals exactly which hotspots are racking up the most video mentions so far this year.

Taking the top spot is Dubai, with the destination pulling in a whopping 140.4 billion views. All those over-the-top luxury hotels and glittering skyscrapers set against desert vistas clearly translate well to the short video format.

New York City comes next with 101.8 billion views for #NYC. From iconic landmarks to fabulous food and nightlife, the city that never sleeps delivers endless trending content.

In third place is #London at 72.8 billion views, followed by #Paris at 68 billion. It seems classic European capitals never go out of style on social media.

Completing the top 10 are sunny hits like #Miami, #LosAngeles, and #Bali, plus European favourites #Istanbul, #Madrid and perhaps surprisingly, #Chicago. So, whether you’re looking for desert glamour or big-city energy, TikTok users have already scouted the hottest destinations to round off your 2023 or inspire your 2024 #vacation.

Snapshots from Trending Experiences

First up, what are the trendiest natural wonders lighting up Instagram? The travel and luggage experts at Bounce analysed view counts for some of the most iconic landscapes. Taking the crown for the most posts is the magnificent Grand Canyon, with over 4.2 million snaps dedicated to the gorgeous gorge carved out by the Colorado River.

Coming in second place is our very own Table Mountain, which ranks as the world’s #2 most Instagrammed natural wonder, with 1.2 million stunning shots. The Mother City’s iconic treasure is clearly social media gold.

Rounding out the top three is Vietnam’s breathtaking Halong Bay, boasting over 1.1 million posts.

Genius or Questionable? Travel Hacks Taking Over TikTok

Of course, TikTok isn’t just full of beautiful videos to inspire your next destination. You can also find endless inspiration for travel tips and hacks to make your next vacation easier – or so they say. The #travelhacks hashtag alone has 731.5 million views and counting.

One trending idea is to create artsy timelapse videos of plane rides. Simply snag that window seat and set your phone to record, securing it against the window for stunning aerial footage.

The ‘pillow’ hack is another trending tip, one that many a desperate traveller is sure to have tried – or considered – at one point or another when standing next to the check-in counter with their overweight luggage! The hack is to roll clothes inside your pillow to sneak more into your carry-on. Or fill the pillowcase itself with extra snacks and travel necessities. Apparently, one woman even pretended her pillow was a baby to score an extra seat – though the experts definitely don’t recommend attempting any of these!

“Items like neck pillows packed with clothes could be considered overstuffing carry-on luggage, which may cause the airline to prevent you from boarding,” says Antoinette Turner, General Manager at Flight Centre South Africa.

Many travellers are also packing their own instant noodles (hello, midnight ramen) and pots to enjoy a cheap, cosy meal in-flight.

And iPhone users share an easy trick – you can track someone’s flight in real-time just by entering their airline and flight number in an iMessage. Those in the know say it’s super handy for keeping tabs on family or coordinating airport pickups.

Other trending #TravelHacks are to score free flights or upgrades using a variety of credit cards and points. But again, use some common sense here, caution the experts.

“If something sounds too good to be true, it generally is,” cautions Turner. “Relying on free upgrades and seat swaps is very unlikely; the only sure way is using legitimately acquired loyalty points or purchased upgrades.”

“While social media serves up endless inspiration, it’s always smart to consult real travel experts,” adds Turner. “They can provide vital context and warnings for viral tips and trends that may exaggerate reality. Don’t risk your hard-earned vacation time and money by trusting a travel hack on the internet.”

So, by all means, soak up the travel inspo across social media. Just combine it with expert guidance so you don’t get caught out by restrictions, luggage limits, or local laws. In short, use #TravelTok friends to inspire your holiday – not bankroll it.

FLIGHT CENTRE TRAVEL GROUP SOUTH AFRICA

Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) SA is part of Flight Centre Travel Group, an Australia-based international travel company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, with a market cap of AU$4.32 billion and a current share price of AU$19.70 as of 8 November 2023. FCTG with three leading brands: Flight Centre, Corporate Traveller and FCM, of which Corporate Traveller and FCM are proud level 1 BBBEE Contributors. FCTG SA is wholly owned and has been recognised as one of Deloitte’s Best Companies to Work for in South Africa for over a decade.

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