When you’re immersed in a beautiful destination, it’s only natural to want to capture the moment on camera. 

With the rise of social media, a lot has changed in the travel-verse. It’s important to consider whether we’re capturing moments to preserve those memories for ourselves—or if it’s really about “the likes.”

On the flip side, “likes” equal exposure. For people learning about places for the first time, and for burgeoning economies that rely on tourism, social media has provided opportunities. 

So this begs the question: Has social media had a positive or a negative influence on travel?

Today, Angie Orth welcomes Jeff Jenkins to share his take on the influence of social media on travel. Jeff is the creator of Chubby Diaries, a website dedicated to encouraging plus-size people to get out and explore the world. 

You’ll hear how Jeff has used social media as a tool to help build his business, and how it helped him promote a unique travel niche. He talks about the challenges of staying true to yourself in a crowded and competitive market, and he shares how he’s learned to preserve and maintain his authenticity. You’ll also hear his thoughts on how social media has helped local economies grow. 

What You’ll Learn:

• How social media has helped Jeff leverage his business (3:08)
• Staying true to yourself through your travel experiences (6:20)
• Thinking about your responsibilities as a creator in the travel space (10:46)
• Statistics on who’s doing it for the “likes” versus the experience (13:37)
• Why balance and rest are often overlooked aspects of travel (14:33)

Connect with Jeff Jenkins:

TV Show website: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/tv/shows/never-say-never-with-jeff-jenkins 

Website: https://chubbydiaries.com/

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/chubbydiaries/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chubbydiariestravel

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEAMJe2-AwcKjE_iq1HMhzw

Connect with AAA:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aaa-auto-club-enterprises

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAAAutoClubEnterprises