By Pijus Maity
For the last few years, travel aesthetic has been the latest hook phrase on TikTok, and Gen Z travelers are indulging in the buzz like nothing else.
But does it work for you? It certainly is a nay from me, and you don’t need to bring that “millenial angle” to win the debate, as I have explored its highs and downs well.
Now, at the dawn of the social internet, you cannot ignore how mood boarding elevates your content. Travel aesthetic is an internet mood board where you share photos and videos of a destination you have traveled to.
Cut to the reality check you need!
Think of Italy and all the Dolce Vita experiences you have dreamt of, thanks to the travel aesthetic content you have seen on TikTok.
Now, you travel to Italy and find no match with the promises made on travel aesthetics in the country.
The outcome? Sheer disappointment!
You cannot deny that those “travel aesthetic posts” are curated, and those may not be similar to the kind of experience you want.
So, don’t let those aesthetic mood boards create a bubble that gets burst the next moment. Instead, the focus should be more on being an aesthetic traveler who can have meaningful experiences and inspire others with their authentic travel stories.
| “Travel aesthetics has become so important these days that people often ruin their experience. Of course, taking photographs and traveling to offbeat locations and aesthetic places should be a part of it, but that should not ruin the essence of traveling. It is more about making memories and exploring nature and not just about focusing on the aesthetics.” The Online News Buzz Board |
What Is The Travel Aesthetic And Mood Boarding Trend?
Have you heard of the “airport tray aesthetic?” Of late, it has taken TikTok and Instagram by storm.
In this trend, a passenger arranges all personal items in the airport security trays and clicks photographs to share on social media.
If this is the travel aesthetic trend you are going to follow, you will disappoint fellow passengers and the others waiting in the queue.
Nevertheless, travel aesthetic is a popular Gen Z trend in which a traveler presents a destination on social media through mood board videos and images.
These posts inspire inquisitive travelers and have become crucial for the success of the travel industry.
Many travel companies use mood boarding and social aesthetic trends for campaign planning, visual communication, and branding.
Why Is The Travel Aesthetic Trend Popular Among Gen Z Travelers?
The dreamy and romanticized aspects of travel aesthetic mood board trends have won over the Gen Z demography on social media.
These are their digital scrapbooks with music, favorite quotes, and creative lines. So, these mood boards give them creative satisfaction by romanticizing their dream destination.
From a psychological aspect, these travel aesthetic mood board trends offer them an escapade to their ideal world in a faraway land.
| Popular Travel Aesthetic Destinations 1. Japan 2. Greece 3. Italy 4. France 5. Brazil 6. India 7. Mexico 8. Spain 9. India |
Furthermore, by sharing this content, a traveler or travel enthusiast can create a community with like-minded people eager to explore new destinations.
Moreover, by highlighting local lifestyles and natural wonders of a place, these mood boards often promote ethical and sustainable tourism.
Having said that, very few people are still using this trend for sustainable tourism. Most of the time, these mood boards do not depict reality, so they fall flat for me.
In addition, a “creative representation” is always a little far from the real scenario in a destination. So, what you see may not always be what you get.
How To Turn Into An Aesthetic Traveler In This Age Of Travel Aesthetic?
We all know that an aesthetician is a person who appreciates beauty. Now, what does an aesthetic traveler mean? Is it just about appreciating the “look” or “visuals” of a place?
No, it is surely more than that. An aesthetic traveler is someone who loves meaningful experiences and is willing to explore a place like no one else has.
Further, an aesthetic traveler is always the main character of the story they weave around traveling to a place.
Moreover, aesthetic traveling is about finding joy in the simplest things. You see magnificent Gothic architecture, and the dark academia enthusiast in you has the experience of a lifetime.
Again, the whiff of the best coffee at a cafeteria in Barcelona or Edinburgh can be the most immersive experience for you.
Now, you can be a traveler, a blogger, or a social media influencer; you can capture these beautiful moments and use the physical or digital copies of these photographs in your scrapbooks or on social media.
However, being an aesthetic traveler has some other elements. You have to dress sensibly according to the vibe of a place and be responsible in your travels.
Taking Photographs As An Aesthetic Traveler
It does not matter whether you want to share travel aesthetic mood boards or not. Taking photographs of important landmarks or even the most beautiful sunset on the Amalfi Coast is an important aspect of creating memories during our travels.
Now, there is no 2+2 = 4 rule for taking the most beautiful travel photographs unless you are doing it professionally.
Capture frames that tell stories, and if you want to use these photos for creative purposes, work on the captions or the words you are using to enhance them.
It all begins with exploring social media posts or taking inspiration from the best travel magazines.
Let’s share pictures that tell a thousand stories unfiltered!
Dressing Up As An Aesthetic Traveler
Dressing up well as a traveler means dressing according to the local culture and weather. It’s okay if you get wrapped in all-black during a holiday in New York.
However, you cannot replicate the same for an Arizona trip, right? You need something boho and comfortable.
Furthermore, if you are traveling to a country like India, you have to wear cotton clothes to combat the heat, and the dressing aesthetics change every 100 km.
Being Responsible As A Traveler
Respecting the local culture and environment and adhering to safety protocols are part of being a responsible traveler.
You cannot just leave trash everywhere or pick random elements from nature or any heritage monument you visit as souvenirs.
Again, a responsible traveler never breaks the laws and safety norms, as your stories will inspire others.
Moreover, an aesthetic traveler always tries to be acquainted with the local culture. So, have local food, listen to the stories, and return with a bag full of memories!
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