Recently, when I opened Instagram I saw a photo of a Canadian influencer dancing in a boat in what looked like Greece. Surely, she could not have travelled in the middle of a pandemic. No rational person would go to Greece considering the strong recommendations from public health officials to avoid all non-essential travel. Certainly, the influencers I follow would not promote travel at a time like this.
Perhaps this image was taken a while ago but just being posted now. A #throwbackthursday post to commemorate how fun travel used to be.
Unfortunately, I was wrong.
This influencer actually flew across the world for the sole purpose of vacationing in a foreign country.
In the days that followed, she continued to post glamorized photos of herself enjoying her trip abroad. Images of her sitting poolside, eating at restaurants, and more of the typical travel content began to fill her feed. All of these images gave the impression that this trip was a fun activity for her and her influencer friends that tagged along.
After doing some research, I was able to learn that Canadian travellers are being allowed into Greece. Canada is one of 15 countries outside of the EU permitted to enter. In Greece, there is no mandatory testing and no negative-PCR tests due upon arrival, each passenger will be screened and thermally scanned. The country was eager to bring tourism back as it’s economy is heavily dependent on it.
The Government of Canada has placed Greece under an emergency global advisory. They emphasize that citizens looking to travel to Greece should, “avoid non-essential travel outside Canada until further notice”. When travellers return to Canada they are to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine. Those who violate the conditions of the 2-week quarantine may face transfer to a lockdown facility as well as fines and/or imprisonment.
Why travel content is problematic right now
If travel is permitted then why am I upset with this influencer? The issue is that even if travelling is legally permissible at this time it can still be highly irresponsible.
None of her photos, or their captions, address the ongoing pandemic. There were no disclaimers about whether or not she was adhering to the social distancing guidelines in Greece. She expressed no concern for how her actions could negatively impact those around her. Instead, the focus was on how fun her adventures in Greece were. The message this sends to viewers is that for her, travelling right now is a care-free activity.
The message she’s sending her viewers is especially concerning since most are young impressionable girls. These tweens and teens look up to her as a role model of how to act. They watch her videos, buy her merchandise, and take her catchphrases as their own. They see her reckless attitude as something to strive for as well. This could be dangerous as the reckless behaviour of their favourite influencer may cause them to have a false sense of security pandemic is getting better.
For influencers that still want to travel
My advice to influencers still keen on travelling right now is to provide your audience with an accurate depiction of your experience. Document what a government-mandated quarantine in a foreign country is like. Discuss what the public health guidelines are and how you plan on adhering to them. Share how scary, uncomfortable, or anxious you may be feeling. The audience will appreciate your honesty and transparency.
Although my first suggestion is to reconsider travelling altogether, I do think that travel can be done safely. Always remember that the wellness of yourself and those around you should remain the top priority. Most importantly, Instagram travel content can wait.
As for my favourite Canadian influencer, I hope that she addresses this issue soon before it’s too late. Her silence is allowing people to form their own opinions about her without her side of the story. People are creating their own narratives about her intentions, many assuming the worst. Right now, her reputation and career as an internet personality may be at stake.
