The result, says Haustein, can be a loss of essential context. While a social media post can show you the glamour of a jungle swing in Bali, it is unlikely to show you the hours-long queue to get on it.
“You have no actual bodily experience of the place, so it can feel really different when you arrive,” she said.
Forbes says she spends time discussing destinations in detail with clients so they know what they are getting into. She is keen that they book a trip that’s right for them – not just something that looked good on someone else’s socials.
“Just because someone can afford these experiences – or because a friend has visited – doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right fit for them,” she said.
None of this means remote travel has lost its value.
Thompson argues that immersive time in nature can expose how unnatural many modern routines have become, and that contemplative experiences outdoors can be deeply restorative. “Many of the afflictions of modern life could be effectively treated with a digital detox in a woodland cabin,” he said. “Just look at Finland, where public health guidelines recommend five hours per month in nature as a baseline for wellbeing.”
The only question is, will you be tough enough to cope with it?
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