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Why have so many travel vloggers been traveling to Middle East countries lately?
I occasionally watch some travel videos and lately I've been getting a lot of videos of middle east countries on YouTube, I'm just curious why. I know there have been some new developments like the shebara resort and Ain Dubai. but is that the only reason?
So sometimes country's will allocate resources to cover an influencers entire trip and lodging, or offer partial packages like paying for just the flight and hotel, or just the flight. Basically they incentivise influencers to go there and create content, and because they cover everything they control the quality of accomodations so the influencers only film and promote the best while acting carefree, and because of the money saved they'll spend it elsewhere, giving the illusion that money goes a longer way than usual.
Anyways, that gets posted and other people see it and find it when searching for trips and vacation spots.
China did/does have a huge program for this and I've had a couple friends with relatively small followings be offered trips and itenetary and they claim they're legit.
My guess is that's what is happening here.
Dubai has been pouring money into stuff like this, thats why so many comedians went over there last year and caused a controversy. My guess is Israel is also interested in trying to counter the optics of the Palestine genocide. Making the entire middle east seem safe is in all their best interests from optics, tourism, etc.
95% of "Influencers" are paid shills without an ounce of moral integrity, they'll promote anything that gives them a dollar.
Things like multi-level marketing schemes, scam supplements, bullshit self-improvement or passive income courses, predatory cosmetics and lifestyle brands, the list goes on and on.
It's important to remember this when you see a trend like this going on with any online content. 99 times out of 100 the answer is as simple as "they were paid to promote this." From there, you can draw your own conclusions about the type of company/product/organization/etc that needs to resort to influencer marketing. From the track record that I've seen, the answer is usually not great.
Iv been seeing a lot of bicycle tourists cycling through Afghanistan and Iraq recently and have wondered the same thing. My thinking is that maybe once someone has passed through there and documented it then others go. I assume it also gets clicks.
I imagine for places like dubai they would sponsor vloggers to go there which in turn makes their viewers want to travel to these places. So just a marketing thing really.
Bit off-topic, but can you recommend some blogs? I enjoyed reading a few about 15 years ago (primarily Going Slowly), but don't know what's out there right now.
Ah man that's actually a great question. I have also been searching for good travel blogs recently. Most of my travel media is YouTube. I can recommend Julian sayarer substack as I really enjoy his books. His substack is more political writing though.
Check out cycleblaze which hosts cycle touring blogs. I started reading one there but got sidetracked. Im contemplating doing a big trip this summer so I might pivot my blog to that in which case I might post some stuff here.
What Middle East countries? If it’s Dubai or the like, that could be paid, or it could not be.
If it’s like Jordan or Lebanon, probably not. These are just under explored and interesting.
If it’s like Afghanistan, then it’s more likely because it’s a highly eyecatching title (and contents, for that matter). Although Afghanistan is a beautiful country in its own right - the danger element will get many views as well.