Ding! Let the battle begin. I’ve always considered myself a traveler. In fact, my vocation, my livelihood (both economical and metaphysical) is related to travel. But lately I’ve been considering the benefits of tourism. And if, we “travelers” are just full of ourselves, and are truly nothing more than dirty, cheap tourists assuaging our own guilt by creating a myth and a persona for our traveling (or touristing) selves.
So what’s a traveler? And what’s a tourist? Good questions both. There’s no hard and true definitions. But generally, I think of a traveler as the archetype backpacker with his Canadian flag patch - even though he’s American - a Lonely Planet book in his bag, and a trunkload of condoms. He probably does have a genuine interest in learning about local cultures, languages, history and cuisine, but he’s probably just too busy on his laptop (you gotta keep up with your facebook page), trying to get laid with the Swedish backpackers across the hall, and constantly quaffing himself to look the part of an itinerant wanderer on some mystical vision quest from God.
I was this guy. That’s why I know him. Sure, back in the day, we didn’t have internet. But we did have Swedish backpackers (thank you Jesus!), and I even had enough hair on my head to quaff. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it. In fact, it’s a great thing. And makes for probably the biggest life-changing experiences in many young people’s lives. I know that first backpack trip through Central America was certainly what put me on the path I am on now.
Another aspect of the “traveler” is that he goes independently, opting to engage mano-a-mano with the thrills and perils of going it alone. This, too is a good thing. Travelers also rarely have a “destination.” It’s about the voyage, about what you see along the way. I think of P. Fonda breaking his watch before heading out across America in Easy Rider.
But what’s a tourist? And why didn’t I name this site SoundTourist.com? Tourism is not a bad thing, and traveling truly is just tourism in sheep’s clothes. But generally, most people who consider themselves travelers, would not like to be called tourists. Tourists are about immediate fulfillment, they are on vacation - this is not their vocation - they want to relax, get drunk and get laid. Wait... this is starting to sound familiar.
And then I start to think about the economic impact of travelers vs. tourists. You imagine the average backpack trip lasts anywhere from two months to two years. Along the way, travelers are spending money everyday, but they are scrimping, watching their pennies so they can afford drinks with the Swedish backpackers and maybe a zipline ride. Tourists, on the other hand, a spending like mad. They want t-shirts, trinkets, expensive meals, nice hotel rooms, and indulgences like massages and all-you-can-eat lobster dinners. And they are only staying in their destination for a week or two.
I honestly don’t have a problem with either approach. Both serve the local communities in different manners, and both bring much needed cash. But I tend to think that travelers may have a bit better cultural and social impact. Traveling, when done right, is all about interaction (listen to me preach as I sit here typing away on my laptop, hiding from the big, bad Honduran Coast just outside my door). But, truly it is. And it seems most “tourists” want less interaction and more relaxation (who can blame them). It’s a one-way street at this point. There’s no cultural interchange, just flagrant voyuerism (or was that vacationism???).
Either way, I’m thrilled to be a traveler, and a tourist and a vacationing SOB. After all, what’s in a name?
Traveler Vs. Tourist - Round One!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Advertisement