“There’s no doubt the COVID pandemic has brought about a new appreciation for travel.”
International travel website Big 7 Travel started off its “50 Most Instagrammable Places In The World 2021” list with this statement that surely resonates with travelers around the world.
With travel limitations due to the pandemic, Instagram was filled with posts about previous travel photos and dream vacation spots. This was among the factors that determined Big 7 Travel’s list: aside from hashtag popularity, the scoring system also included survey results and input from their editorial team.
Big leap
The Philippines made it to the top five in the 2021 version of the list–besting popular tourist destinations such as Santorini in Greece, Milan in Italy, and Phuket in Thailand.
Other places that made it to the top 5 are Istanbul, Turkey; New York City, New York; Paris, France; and Tokyo, Japan.
The Philippines has consistently been part of the list since 2019, when it ranked 43rd, then 36th in 2020. Jumping 34 spots this year, the Philippines now ranks 2nd, just behind Tokyo, Japan.
The Pearl of the Orient Seas was described as the “home to incredible natural wonders like an underground river and tranquil rice terraces, in addition to a vibrant culture and history spanning several millennia. With over 7,500 islands–the Philippines as a whole is extremely Instagrammable.”
Photo: Instagram/big7travel
Special mention was also given to specific locations, such as Manila and Boracay: “From the bustling capital of Manila, complete with colorful colonial streets, to the absolute oasis of Boracay, the gram opportunities here are endless.”
Top of the list for 2021
With over 53 million Instagram posts with #Tokyo in their captions, it’s no wonder Tokyo, Japan topped this year’s list!
Big 7 Travel said that Tokyo became a hit on the photo-sharing app because of its “ancient shrines, other-worldly art exhibits and vibrant neon-lit billboards galore.” In 2019, Japan ranked 15th and rose to the 6th spot in 2020.
Photo: Instagram/big7travel
The travel site also noted one of the important aspects of the city: its busy, colorful, and tourist-filled markets. “The bustling Japanese capital is also famous for its buzzing shopping markets perfect for capturing the essence of life in Tokyo.”
Photo by Eibner Saliba on Unsplash
