Has anyone else noticed the strong idea of a hierarchy amongst those who have travelled or are travelling.
The idea that visiting one country makes you more of a traveller than another, and those who visit other countries are just falling victim to the mass commercialisation of travel.
When anyone asks me where I travelled I always begin with 'only....' or 'where everyone has been...', myself falling victim to the hierarchy.
Surely there exits a common desire to see new places, and where they are is irrelevent? By the very visiting of places 'unvisited' do we not cause the downward spiral to commercialisation?
Does anyone agree? Or am I just ranting? : )
Reply to this > Or am I just ranting?
You're ranting - but not without cause 😊
There is definetly a perception that visiting places that are relatively easy to get to or cater well for tourists is less valuable as an experience than roughing in an off the beaten track country.
There are many countries in which tourism is not common, and sometimes the reasons are that it is difficult or dangerous - unless there is a compelling reason to go there - such as a lifelong interest in something that is only found in that one place, why go there when there are so many other options?
> By the very visiting of places 'unvisited' do we not cause the downward spiral to commercialisation?
I don't think this is inevitable - but in some situations this has obviously happened. Tourist trails do emerge, often for one good reason - something to see and easy transportation. If you're on the tourist trail and enjoying it - nothing wrong with that. If you can get bannana pancakes with honey for breakfast - why not? (an example from Gringotenango in Guatemala) everywhere else it's refried beans - a bit of commercialisation is sometimes a good thing - without it, no where to stay and no where to eat. The ideal level - I have no idea... I know it when I see it, and I know it when it's gone to far.
Reply to this I don't think tourism alone has to ruin a ruins a place but a lack of the locals taking controls of what kind of businesses goes on in the area does have an impact. I have been to places that became popular for visitors, but almost all of the hotels and restaurants were owned by the local moms and dads, not the international chains....
Unfortunately I have also been to other places that were almost completely taken over by the large chain hotels and restaurants and it was hard to see any sign of any atmosphere that was unique to that local areas.. and that is not much fun to see..I can get the same satisfaction going to a mall
It is the same with the individual sights as well.. I've had to resort to going to cathedrals early in the morning because once the tour buses come in, the peaceful church begins to sound more like a gynasium. things like that go on too..
Reply to this Once you go to one country, then the next closest beckons.
I've travelled quite a lot. Now I am more interested in people rather than places
Reply to this I agree with you Wocca. I have been to too many tourist destinations before and I found out that the best way to travel really is to meet interesting people and learn their culture. Actual interaction with the people provides great learning and friendship you can't just find in commercialized travelling destinations.
We may have four seasons in a day in Ireland, but we only have one season in our hearts, that is to rejoice and smile brightly like the sun."
Reply to this Like any other activity, travel will have it's elitist attitudes and it's condescending shmoes patronizing people as to :" having to eat .... at this fine place" or " seeing this piece of art in this museum" and so on. I guess it's up to the individual to filter these annoyances and just live for himself. I love the fact that most of these so called travel experts go around on rube tours and get packed into rube restaurants. Anyways, your experiance is your own to live and to forge. I will be looking for those off the beaten path places and those untouristyish sites but I guess at some point or another, i'll fall into the tourist trap (wich seems inevitable at some point or another in your travels).
Reply to this There is some justice in your rant. Also the reason that some places are tourist honeypots is because they are very good places to visit - in terms of what there is to see and the culture. There are of course dangers in mass tourism - one of them being the ignorance of the tourists, and when I talk of tourism I include people that prefer to call themselves travellers.
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