The converse is also true: If someone likes to be without phone, couldn't they go literally anywhere on the planet, and just choose to leave their phone at home without that place they're going to officially encouraging them to do so?

Or is it about the disturbance caused by other people using their phones? ...or maybe to have a plausible story to tell the people who tried to reach you? ("Sorry you couldn't reach me at the weekend, boss, I was at this island in Finland where ...").

I can't speak to GP but I would definitely say that phones everywhere are a nuisance. Google "Ruined by Instagram" for plenty of lists.

I think this is a lovely initiative and I think it would be great if it could cause a bit of a trend.

The nice thing about places that were supposedly ruined by Instagram is that most of them were already overcrowded and boring anyway.

As an Australian it's hilarious to talk to tourists and hear they're going to get a bus from Melbourne to the 12 Apostles and back, which is an 8 hour round trip, but aren't planning to spend time at the rest of the spectacularly beautiful coastline or national parks in between. The most popular tourist destinations all seem to be like that: you go there to cross them off the list even though comparably beautiful and much less popular attractions are nearby, for the sake of going somewhere recognisable.

There's nothing wrong with going to a few well known spots in a holiday, but if you just go straight from tourist trap to tourist trap you'll miss all the most enjoyable things.