Using Instagram for Travel Ideas

Written By Alicia Vial

As the summer months approach many of us sense a feeling of wanderlust. Did you know one of the easiest places to find unique places for travel can be found right on your phone?

So, why is Instagram a great place for travel ideas? It is all visual! Think about it, how many times are you scrolling and finding photos of beautiful tropical locales or visuals of amazing hiking paths?  Instagram houses many travel-based influencers and travel photographers who can help you source inspiration. Instagram is also a great hack to find deals and fun activities that you’ve never heard of.  

Start by searching for hashtags related to your desired destination. For example if you are planning a trip to Australia, search for hashtags like #australia #travelaustralia, #australiatrip. Explore the top or recent posts to get an idea of popular attractions, restaurants and activities.  Also search location tags of famous landmarks by city. If you search the location of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, for example, you can explore places in the same proximity. 

Save your posts – as you come across ideas hit the button that looks like a bookmark and create a list for “Travel” – similar to Pinterest boards, you can save posts and links to go back to later. Follow travel influencers and pages – both in areas you are planning to visit or just in general to spark your inspiration.  

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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