A recent viral trend on TikTok has sparked a debate about class snobbery in travel. The hashtag #voyage has over 2.5 million posts on the platform, with users sharing videos mocking certain destinations as 'basic' or 'touristy'. One common target is Barcelona, often dismissed with the phrase 'Ah, tu vas Γ Barcelone, toi?' ('Oh, you're going to Barcelona?') in a tone of condescension.
According to a 2025 study by the University of Barcelona, 68% of TikTok travel videos tagged with #Barcelona include negative comments about overtourism or lack of authenticity. However, the city remains one of Europe's top tourist destinations, welcoming 12 million international visitors in 2025, per the Barcelona Tourism Board.
Sociologist Dr. Marie Dupont of Sciences Po Paris told Le Monde in June 2026 that this trend reflects 'a new form of cultural capital, where knowing the 'right' off-the-beaten-path places signals sophistication.' She noted that the phenomenon is most pronounced among users aged 18-34.
Critics argue that the trend reinforces class divides, as it implies that only those with the means to travel to more exclusive or remote destinations are 'true' travelers. Meanwhile, budget-friendly trips to popular cities like Barcelona are framed as unsophisticated.
