Nadia "Sparkle" Henry
Like it or not, social media has changed the travel industry. Many of today's travelers learn about vacation destinations by seeing influencers post photos and videos of breathtaking landscapes, one-of-a-kind experiences and beautiful historic sites and decide they'd like to experience these destinations and re-create those scenes for themselves and their followers.
With so many vacationers turning to social media for inspiration, travel agents need to know which destinations are gaining the most traction online.
With that in mind, here are three destinations that I've been noticing a lot lately on Instagram, places you should definitely keep on your radar.
1. Bali: Known as the Island of the Gods, tourists are flocking to Bali for its fabulous beaches, ancient temples and cultural celebrations -- as well as its unmatched photo ops.
Lately, lots of travelers have been posting photos of themselves on the Bali Swing and other swings that have popped up there. These swings soar above jungles, rice fields and rivers and make for incredible photos. Many vacationers rent flying dresses for their trip to the Bali Swing; the long trains on those dresses flow beautifully while riding the swing, making for a more dramatic image.
Tourists also enjoy visiting and photographing Bali's many temples, including Tirta Empul Temple, built in the 10th century. Many believe the natural springs and bathing pools surrounding the temple have healing powers. Tirta Empul's ancient architecture also looks fantastic in photos, so tourists can't resist snapping pictures of themselves there.
2. Dubai: With a mix of historical sites, futuristic architecture, luxurious attractions and vibrant nightlife, it's no wonder Dubai is on so many people's travel bucket lists.
Many travelers and influencers enjoy heading to the desert for photo shoots in flowing dresses. But the city itself also has plenty of attractions that make for great photos, including the Dubai Frame, the Burj Khalifa, the Arabian Tea House and the Al Bastikaya Historical District.
Dubai also has fabulous white-sand beaches, many of which feature views of the city skyline in the distance, which makes for impressive photos.
3. Greece: Picturesque islands, incredible beaches and vibrant nightlife -- all favorites with Instagrammers and all found in abundance in Greece.
The island of Santorini is known for its natural beauty and white buildings with blue roofs. Influencers and vacationers love posing in front of these structures.
Visitors to Zakynthos' Navagio Beach, also known as Shipwreck Beach, can find the wreckage of a merchant ship that smuggled cigarettes and alcohol into the Ionian Islands in the 1980s. Zakynthos also has incredible sea caves that make for great exploring and unforgettable photo ops.
Crete's Elafonisi Beach is also popular with tourists and influencers. Known for its coastline of pink ombre sand, it attracts vacationers who want to add a unique flair to their beach photos.
Mykonos, known as the Ibiza of Greece, is primarily known for its nightlife. Mykonos is full of clubs, bars and beach clubs where locals and tourists dance the night away, always a favorite subject for Instagram snappers.
The Peloponnese, Athens and Crete are among the most popular destinations for people who want to learn more about Greek history and pose for photos in front of ancient Greek architecture.