August 19, 2026 6:41 PM
How influencers changed travel
That 30-second Instagram Reel of someone walking through the Himachal mountains, eating street food in Bangkok, or watching a sunset in Bali is now enough to make people check flight prices. Social media has turned travel inspiration and booking into one step, and travel industry data shows the shift is accelerating. According to Expedia's 2025 Traveler Value Index, based on a survey of more than 11,000 people across 11 countries, 61% of travellers now use social media for trip ideas. That is ...