After the post-pandemic speed bump, the world’s tourist sector is poised to make a robust comeback. In keeping with this year’s theme of “Rethinking Tourism,” actors and stakeholders in the sector are taking the next significant step towards revitalizing tourism on World Tourism Day.
How travelers plan vacations and select destinations have changed as a result of the digital revolution. Travelers may now explore new places, locate travel experts, and even replace email as their primary mode of communication by using social networking sites. Travelers are coming to rely more and more on online resources like TikTok in Pakistan as well, as they grow more tech-savvy and face difficulties as a result of the recent floods.
In reality, TikTok has become incredibly popular for showcasing incredible moments of immersive travel, such as engaging with nature in different ways, trying different kinds of street foods from other countries, or showcasing unique local experiences. So, the next major transformation in the tourist industry is being led by short video platforms like TikTok in the dynamic digital landscape of Pakistan.
Those who enjoy traveling have always found the thought of planning a trip to be intriguing. But in particular, the younger generation has developed a preference for authentic travel encounters, which is why they appreciate turning to their peers for reliable travel inspiration.
In addition, contemporary travelers are just as ready to post captivating stories and candid photos from their adventures on social media platforms like TikTok, completing a creative cycle that in turn inspires a vast number of people. According to an Amp Agency survey, 84% of millennials and 73% of non-millennials are extremely likely to base their trip plans on other people’s vacation photos, videos, or status updates.
In today’s digital Pakistan, TikTok stands out as the platform where the community is willing to express themselves and share their stories through authentic, visual, and geo-tagged material. This is made feasible through easy-to-use editing tools, native platform content, and dynamic content creators. The attractiveness of a TikTok travel experience is that personal, approachable, and inspiring window through which travelers take a journey before determining if it is worthwhile – the journey before the journey.
This blending of fantasy and reality is further enhanced by the simplicity with which TikTok can be used as a creative platform, allowing users to produce original postings with a broad range of music, effects, and other creative tools. Content creators may reach a big audience by utilizing features like hashtags, filters, and the use of famous music.
Pakistan is known for its unmatched natural beauty and is surrounded by rivers, stunning lakes, ports, beaches, historical and religious sites, hills, woods, secret valleys, landscapes, a vibrant culture, music, and a wide range of cuisine. Three of Pakistan’s World Heritage Sites—the Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, and Mohenjo-Daro Ruins—are often traveled to by tourists.
These locations are becoming more appealing to both local travelers and foreign visitors because of the genuine content creators using TikTok to share their immersive experiences of these locations. TikTok creators also find hidden jewels off the usual route and encourage and persuade travelers to explore new territories. There are several occasions where TikTok’s ability to pique interest in previously unexplored sites led to a significant rise in visitor foot traffic.
Influencers who create interactive content, such as Zunair Kamboh, Kabir Afridi, Patangeer, Laraib Rahim, Noshi Li, and Love to Travel, have gained a lot of popularity in the area. These content creators visited such locations to provide post-flood information and provide updates on the routes even after the floods had damaged numerous sites and obstructed the routes. These real stories have reignited the urge to travel and profoundly altered how locations are marketed internationally. The chance presented by this new generation of digital platforms is being seized by travel and tourism marketers more and more.
The platform offers an excellent chance for tourist destinations and hospitality brands to promote themselves genuinely. #TikTokTravel is one of the app’s most well-liked hashtags with 34 billion views. The content creators for Pakistan utilize #TravelPakistan (57M views) and #PakistanTourism to personalize this hashtag (27.2M views). You may find the most popular videos and destinations in Pakistan by researching the hashtag. A wonderful method to promote destinations or activities is to use this hashtag for tourism and travel businesses. In addition, several travel agencies claim that if an account has interesting material, even if it doesn’t have many followers, it may still generate millions of views.
With more people traveling, TikTok gives companies an unparalleled opportunity to be at the top of travelers’ wish lists and plans as well as to initiate deeper and more meaningful travel conversations.
Platforms like TikTok are the most effective method of reaching the next generation of travelers. Thus, the potential for TikTok to influence and inspire future travel patterns in Pakistan presents a chance that might serve as a template for authentic and inclusive tourism in the years to come.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Times of Pakistan or its members. Any content provided by our authors or contributors are of their opinion, and are not intended to malign any religion, ethic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.
