# @kirstenalana on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Bycw_t5BbcK
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/2429593-kirstenalana-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/103325e3b1.jpg
- **Posted:** 2019-06-08T12:52:49.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Kirsten Alana (@KirstenAlana) — https://gondola.cc/KirstenAlana

## Caption

I try to be a person who is representing destinations in a positive way because there is absolutely a correlation between places being popular on Instagram and then suffering negative effects of over-tourism. There doesn’t seem to be enough concern about that reality as a whole and all too often (i.e. weekly if not daily) I get press releases about places that are “Instagrammable” while nothing at all about the food, culture or people is even hinted at.
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While I try to be different, and still have a long way to go, most of the work trips I go on create a situation where it’s too difficult to get anything more “that photo” and the barest idea of the value of a place, never mind enough time to talk to people in depth. And since I’m so often in a position where work travel is all I have & there’s no budget to go on the kind of trips I would personally value and learn from, the cycle continues. Still I’ll always prioritize trying to encourage responsible tourism in my own life and in others.
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So it was with The Dark Hedges which I did love seeing in person because it truly is a beautiful road; but which I only saw, and learned nothing about. I struggled with whether or not to even post about it just like I struggled earlier this year with whether or not to post about the poppies in California.
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I decided to publish these photos I guess so that I could ask that if you are going to visit when you’re in Northern Ireland - please take the time to do more than just get a photo. Please meet some locals, spend some money in the local businesses. Be respectful. Follow the parking signs and take the time to do the whole walk. Don’t damage the natural habitat of these gorgeous trees. Enough of them have died already because this spot became so well known by people who were irresponsible visitors. Be part of the change we need so the places we’ve come to love will survive & thrive. Let’s work to ensure travel is something which changes us for the better not just gives us pretty photos 🙏🏼❤️
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#loveireland #discoverni #northernireland #thedarkhedges #wheregotstarted #gameofthrones #thisissustainable #sonyalphafemale

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- **Likes:** 1,888
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## Tags

thisissustainable, thedarkhedges, wheregotstarted, northernireland, loveireland, gameofthrones, discoverni, sonyalphafemale

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