The impact of technology on travel
28th April 2012
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It’s no surprise that many believe the world is becoming smaller. In an age of constant connection, today nowhere is too far. Great, right? I’m not denying that the magic of an adventure will be lost by emailing your boss from the back of an elephant, or trying to understand your parents down a crackly line at the top of a mountain won’t take away from the wonder, but generally, the introduction of technology into travelling is nothing but positive.
The world isn’t becoming smaller; it’s growing bigger. It’s more accessible, and yes, some of the adventure may have been lost in getting from A to B, but the world has never been more open to us.
The benefits have particularly manifested themselves in the details. Before you even leave home you’re able to research the most exotic locations, suitable hotels and the most exciting hidden gems out there. Obscure blogs and well-experienced forum contributors provide some great tips and utilising these tips makes the most of the time you have. When I went to Rome, weeks of research before led me to a little known gem of a pizzeria, which was hidden away from tourists and regarded by all those in the know as a ‘can't-miss’.
For those who travel regularly, isolation can be overwhelming. There’s a sharp distinction between choosing to alienate yourself from the world while you’re away, and having loneliness thrust upon you. At the click of a button, Skype, phone calls, online messengers and texts have allowed us to share our experiences with friends and family. Whilst getting daily phone calls from your mum isn’t ideal and uploading photos to Facebook before you’re even home can make coming back feel like you never left, being able to connect with the ones you’ve missed can make a great travelling experience better.
If you still don’t agree, that’s fine. And if you’re reading this, angrily wanting to be disconnected from the world, may I start by suggesting that instead of complaining, you close that laptop screen, switch off that Blackberry, and do it the way you want to. The magic of pre-technology travel is still there; it’s just a choice to experience it.

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If you still don’t agree, that’s fine. And if you’re reading this, angrily wanting to be disconnected from the world, may I start by suggesting that instead of complaining, you close that laptop screen, switch off that Blackberry, and do it the way you want to. The magic of pre-technology travel is still there; it’s just a choice to experience it.
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