Well, we were surprised. We thought the rash of tourist closings and curtailments brought by mobs of selfie-takers would have caused a tourist backlash against Instagram—and against social media in general.



A National Geographic and Morning Consult poll this month of 2,200 Americans indicates otherwise.



By a 39-to-25 margin, those polled say social media has had a positive impact on tourist destinations. There’s an age break, with Americans under 30 years old much more open and positive (a 49–19 margin) toward the benefits of social media. Other big supporters of social media: People who said they have traveled internationally (and presumably have seen some negative effects from crowded, Insta-dominated sites) have a positive view by a 44–27