I get what you’re saying, J.M. My hometown is a casualty of travel writers who keep publishing listicles of the top 10 and top 20 charming small towns. There was always tourist trade because the town boasts great natural beauty and historic significance, and is an easy drive from NYC, but it’s become ridiculous. One fall day, not too long ago, it took me 45 minutes to get from the toll booth to the main highway, a distance usually covered in less than 20 seconds. I’m not exaggerating.

Still, I would argue that it’s not so much that travel readers are lazy, it’s that they don’t have the time to do their own research and don’t want to spend money on a vacation unless they’re reasonably sure they’ll have a good time. I wouldn’t worry about steering people to businesses that don’t deliver. I always check out visitor and guest reviews before I spend my money.

I would also venture to guess that the vast majority of travel readers never go to the places they read about. Travel writing is enjoyed by many people who are simply interested in hearing about different places and experiences. I used to read Architectural Digest with zero interest about investing in such properties or hiring a decorator. It was just a dream book to me.