So-called travel experts, take note: There's a new, no-frills source of on-the-go expertise that the public is flocking to, and the industry is taking notice.
While glossy magazines have already been largely replaced by user-generated content websites and travel blogs, then drowned out by armies of influencers posting their often-revised views of the world on Instagram and TikTok, a return to grassroots basics is shaking things up again.
That's right: Travelers looking for local hot spots, the best places to eat and the most picturesque hotels around the world are increasingly turning to Reddit and its global network of hyper-niche forums (subreddits) and threads dedicated to discussing different places, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Travel enthusiasts and locals from around the world are looking to compete with traditional travel sources. Diego – stock.adobe.com
While user anonymity and lack of credentials might once have been considered a barrier, travelers now say they value the experiences and opinions of online strangers who don't even have their own names and profile pictures.
But that's the great thing about Reddit: Because no introduction is required, people can be open and honest.
“I've noticed people are becoming more honest about their experiences,” travel agent Molly Gagnon told the Journal about the long-running discussion site.
In online forums, people who agree with a user's bit of advice can “upvote” (i.e., “like”) the comment, ensuring the best suggestions get more attention.
Posting on subreddit forums that cater to your niche will give you plenty of helpful suggestions for local accommodations. NDABCREATIVITY – stock.adobe.com
The trick to mastering the art of questioning is to be specific, and Reddit regulars recommend posting in very specific subreddits to get the best answers to your questions.
“The wider it is, the less practical it is,” Jesse Smith, a Kansas City resident and moderator of r/onebag, a popular subreddit for travelers who want to pack light, told The Wall Street Journal.
“Niche [subreddits]bringing together people who are really passionate about a subject.”
But that's not all: avid Reddit users recommend getting specific with your questions as well.
“People will say, 'Where's a good place to get a beer in Munich?'” Ben Harrison, a former moderator of the Munich subreddit, lamented to The Wall Street Journal. “You guys have done nothing. You've not answered half of my questions.”
Instead, he urges travelers to research their destination and dig at least a little deeper.
“You can say, 'Here are the top five.' [beer spots] “Have you ever been to any of the beer gardens listed on TripAdvisor?” he suggested.
This is as smart as letting ChatGPT plan your trip for you, and it's a growing trend as AI becomes more prevalent.
