Mindful traveling
Why Your Vacation is Touring — Not Traveling
Will mass tourism end before it’s too late?
Do you travel or do you tour?
Believe me. There’s a difference.
There’s a difference between traveling and running between destinations with a strict schedule and agenda.
Tourism is waiting in a two-hour-long queue to wade through a crowded museum. To ride that one well known ride at Disney World. To get a selfie in front of the Instagram-famous temple.
Traveling is exploring a foreign city’s streets without a map, eagerly seeking the next local to strike a conversation. Watching people and their mannerisms as they interact with one another. Participating in traditions.
When I think of tourism, I think of moving around at a fast pace with the intention of having ‘bragging rights.’ It’s all for show.
Tourists tell guests at their next dinner party, “I’ve been there” or “I’ve seen that.” They can’t tell you about the culture besides what’s seen on the surface. They likely never shared a conversation with a local besides quickly in passing.
The tourism industry, as a whole, has improved living conditions in many parts of the world. The extra jobs and income…
