For experienced travelers, which destinations feel the most different today compared to around 5–10 years ago?
I am asking because I visited Thailand last year (Bangkok, Koh Samui, and Phuket) and although I enjoyed the trip, it did not match my expectations. It felt less affordable than I thought it would be and more heavily shaped around tourism than I expected.
I noticed a similar trend when looking at hostel prices in Colombia, where places I stayed in 2022 now appear to have roughly doubled in cost.
It seems like many destinations that were once considered budget-friendly or less crowded have become more expensive and heavily touristed. Bali is often mentioned as an example of this change.
This makes me wonder whether the “golden era” of solo backpacking travel has ended or if it has simply evolved into something different.
I am curious which destinations others feel have changed the most, and whether travel today is better or worse because of these shifts. For those with long-term experience, do you think solo travel has improved due to technology and accessibility, or has something meaningful been lost compared to earlier years?
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