“Only good for taking photos?”: Understanding the production and evolution of <i>Wanghong</i> tourism destinations in the digital era

The prevalence of social media and smartphones has transformed photography and online photo-sharing into a central element of contemporary tourist experiences. This study contends that social media photos increasingly exert significant agency, influencing not only tourist experiences but also the transformation of tourist destinations themselves. Employing actor-network theory as an analytical framework, this research investigates the role of photographs in the rapid evolution of tourist destinations. Focusing on Mingyue Village, a newly emerged wanghong (internet-famous) destination, this study adopts a qualitative approach to examine how digital-era tourists prioritize destinations based on their photogenic qualities and the ability to capture visually appealing photos. It unravels that the agency of photos often surpasses the impact of negative tourist reviews concerning inadequate facilities or limited activities. The rapid development of Mingyue Village is fundamentally driven by the continuous creation of diverse, aesthetically pleasing photo spots. This study highlights the critical influence of photography, social media, and aestheticized landscapes in shaping the evolution of wanghong destinations. It contributes to the theoretical understanding of photographs in shaping tourism destinations while offering practical insights for the sustainable management of such destinations.