Cultural and historical sites are in decline because of “selfie tourism”, and UNESCO warns that this could lead to their destruction.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization defines “selfie tourism” as “the trend of travelers visiting destinations primarily to take and share photos of themselves, often with iconic landmarks and getaways in the background.”

This trend differs from traditional holiday photos — such as a family photo taken in front of popular landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, according to The Mirror.

In fact, selfie tourism sees tourists choosing specific travel destinations solely because they are “aesthetically pleasing” and will look good on social media.

“This phenomenon has gained momentum with the rise of social media, where visually appealing content drives user engagement,” a UNESCO spokesperson told the outlet. “While people have always taken photos on vacation, the focus has shifted from capturing memories to creating shareable moments, often with the goal of garnering likes, followers and social media fame.”

The increase in this trend has led to some cities and areas becoming overcrowded and having a negative impact on residents, although this depends on the destination, the spokesperson said.

“In many cases, this has led to overcrowding at specific sites, putting pressure on local infrastructure and contributing to the degradation of the overall visitor experience,” a UNESCO spokesperson said.

“Some previously lesser-known destinations have been propelled to the global spotlight by social media, leading to a surge in visitors that can impact the environment and local communities.”

But overcrowding and the influx of tourists are not the only problems.

“Additionally, the focus on capturing the perfect photo can sometimes lead to disrespectful or harmful behavior, such as trespassing, vandalism, or even accidents, as people go to great lengths to get the perfect shot,” they explained.

Destinations going viral on social media have also led to difficulties in managing the influx of tourists and implementing protective safety measures, as well as accelerating “the wear and tear of historic sites, natural landscapes and infrastructure.”

Another major concern of UNESCO is the “loss of meaning essential to the existence of a cultural or natural site” when people try to take the perfect photo to fit their Instagram feed rather than engaging with the significance and history of a place and having an authentic experience.

The agency hopes to implement strategies to promote sustainable tourism and prevent overtourism, such as limiting the number of visitors, implementing timed entry tickets or completely restricting access to certain areas.

Additionally, they hope that by educating the influencers who make these places viral and create travel trends, they will be able to “set precedents for millions of followers.”

“UNESCO urges visitors to approach these sites with respect and curiosity, encourages them to take the time to truly discover the unique culture and heritage of the destinations and to remember that their actions have an impact on the preservation of these sites and the well-being of the communities around them,” added the UNESCO spokesperson.

This is not the first time that selfies have sparked global concern.

A study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research in September suggests that taking selfies is now considered dangerous – and that they may pose a “public health problem.”