Solar Storm Set to Crash Facebook and Instagram, Triggering a Shockwave in Tourism and Bullet Sales!

We all knew it intuitively, but now we have the data. There is a massive surge in tourism across the country, which is generally attributed to rising disposable incomes. However, a major factor that’s usually not discussed openly is the rise of social media. We have all seen our friends enjoying themselves at a hill station or a beach, and boy, do we feel jealous! And not to be left behind, the phenomenon popularly called FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), drives us to book a ticket to Goa, even though our pockets may not allow it.

The same goes for our love for Royal Enfield. We may not be a bullet enthusiast per se, but after watching our friends take that dream Ladakh trip on their fat bikes, we cannot resist the temptation of owning one.

Now, with Facebook and Instagram expected to be affected by a solar storm in 2025, there is a drop in bookings to tourist destinations like Goa, Kerala, and Nainital. Some people have even canceled the bookings they had made. “If I cannot post my photos in picturesque surroundings and make my friends envious, why spend twenty thousand rupees?” said Amit, who refused to divulge his last name.

Similarly, data from Enfield dealerships indicates there has been a substantial drop in the number of new bookings for the bike. “Why go to Ladakh when you cannot post your pictures on Insta?” said a customer we met at a dealership in Agra, who had come to cancel his purchase and wanted to collect the booking amount.

Meanwhile, the Tour Operators Union of India has contacted NASA to see if they can do something about it. “We have asked NASA if they can shield Earth from the solar storm, thus making sure the internet is not affected. We are willing to fund this project,” their president told TT in an exclusive interview.