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New ‘selfie seats’ could save tourists from accidents while taking snaps
Perfect travel photos in picturesque locations around the world are flooding our Instagram feeds, but sometimes it can be a downright dangerous business.
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A young man lies down on the edge of the cliffs on the coastal pathway, Cliffs of Moher, huge sea cliffs located at the southwestern edge of the Burren region in County Clare, Ireland (Shutterstock/DrimaFilm)
P
erfect travel photos in picturesque locations around the world are flooding our Instagram feeds, but sometimes it can be a downright dangerous business. According to Travel and Leisure, between March 2014 and September 2016, 127 people died around the world while attempting to take selfies. Would you go that far for the perfect shot?
In light of the tragic accidents during the rise of the travel selfie, a solution has been found to stop tourists from putting their lives in danger to get a photo. The Irish Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Jim Daly, put forward a new proposal: selfie seats.
According to Lonely Planet, the seats are recommended to be installed at popular tourist destinations around Ireland. It is believed that a similar concept has been rolled out in various locations across Asia.
The Irish politician believes that offering seats or standing area in safe locations at different interest points would make tragic accidents at the hands of a selfie less common. A report by Lonely Planet states that Daly believes the seats would also be an "innovative marketing tool" which could showcase places like the Cliffs of Moher, Old Head of Kinsale, Mizen Head, the Beacon in Baltimore, and Lough Hyne woods. Another bonus would lead people to the perfect location for photos, optimizing the selfie results.
“Families and individuals love taking photographs of themselves in areas of natural beauty. But often it is almost impossible to find a steady location or to know where the best shot is,” Daly told The Southern Star.
“Tourists, being time sensitive, like to know where to go and what to do. They also like clear shots rather than grainy images on their social media and Instagram.”
Read also: Selfie deaths are a major public health problem: Study
Daly’s millennial-thinking mind also proposed hashtags for selfies captured on Ireland’s selfie seats. While it is not a completely philanthropic proposal to keep visitors safe, it is a popular marketing tool that would benefit Ireland’s tourism industry and showcase its beautiful locations.
“When it comes to a picture painting a thousand words, the selfie is a very effective marketing tool and we need to harness its potential more,” he said. “This is a cost-free innovative proposal that will allow Ireland to present our best face to the world.” (geo/mut)
