Hyperconnected even on vacation. It has been several years since the Internet completely turned the tourism industry upside down. Before flying to the other side of the globe or exploring the French countryside, travelers now have a wealth of information on social networks and other travel blogs. What make the good old guides who have long been essential traveling companions for all globetrotters out of date? While the mythical Backpacker’s guide blows out its fifty candles this year, that is the question 20 minutes posed to the younger generations who were born and raised with the Internet.
The responses were numerous and unequivocal. No, the paper tourist guide is not dead. For those under 40 like Jean-Sébastien, 37, it is even “part of the trip itself”. Its purchase in bookstores also marks the beginning of the adventure. “It’s a bit like the first ritual of the trip”, underlines Damien, 27 years old. Yuji, 20, testifies for his part to the “irreplaceable joy of strolling through the travel section of a bookstore where you leaf through different guides on different destinations”.
“Guides are rarely wrong”
Once their guide is in their pocket, our readers flock to it in search of information and good tips to prepare for their trip. “It’s my essential tool that allows me to really target the essentials of a country based on what I like and are looking for,” says Aline, who literally devours her guide every time. “I read it up and down, I put post-its and I make annotations,” explains the young woman. “It allows you to have a global vision of the destination, advice on visits, gastronomy and the culture of the country”, underlines Bettina, 28 years old. Faithful reader of Backpacker’s guide, of which she appreciates “the format and the appreciation”, Sophie, 30, also uses it to “know the number of nights” that she must “reserve at each destination. »
Many globetrotters also supplement their research by gleaning information from the Internet. “Especially to have a more precise image of the corners mentioned in the guides because they often lack photos”, continues Bettina. Raoul, 37, goes through everything he finds to carefully prepare each of his family trips. While he appreciates up-to-date information on the Internet, he also knows that “false reviews are commonplace” while “guides are rarely wrong. »
“A memory after the trip is over”
Once at their destination, the paper guide also finds a place of choice in the backpacks of our travellers. “It’s practical and works just as well as an audio guide during visits,” says Aube. Not to mention that “the guides do not require an Internet connection unlike smartphones and allow you to disconnect from digital and fully enjoy the trip”, adds Quentin. Some, however, prefer to do without it once there, like Jean-Sébastien. “For long stays, we don’t necessarily have a paper guide because we have to carry it and each kilo is important,” he says. Others like Raoul also try not to let themselves be guided all the time. “I rarely go to the restaurants recommended by the guides because they have inevitably become landmarks for tourists,” he warns.
When the holidays are over, these guides finally find a good place in the library of globetrotters like Cloé, 29. “It gives me a souvenir once the trip is over and allows me to have a collection of books from all my trips”, testifies the young woman, already in a hurry to find her next destination.