Travel Influencers and the Redefinition of Travel Writing on Social Media

Abstract

This research aims to explore new insights into the evolving nature of travel writing in the social media era. This research involves a media analysis of travel influencers’ Instagram accounts to examine how travel writing has transformed within the social media landscape. Focusing on influencer-created visual narratives, this study examines how photography, video content, and textual descriptions contribute to the development of a complex digital travel writing genre. The study's results reveal that Instagram influencers have altered the meaning and the practice of travel writing by utilizing the platform's features to create commercial content that drives travel trends, visually narrates their travel journeys, and fosters communities.