The Traveler vs. Tourist Debate and Why I Don’t Give a Crap
“I am not a tourist.”
This is the tagline for a tour company's latest campaign, where they are trying to inspire people to begin traveling differently.
Now, I’m all for inspiring people to travel. I’m also all for trying to convince people to travel outside of their comfort zones in order to experience places more deeply. It’s good to get “off the beaten path” sometimes.
But I have to be honest – I kind of take issue with the whole “I am not a tourist” campaign.
The traveler vs. tourist debate is certainly not a new one. For years, travelers and tourists have been defined and delineated, being separated from one another and placed at two ends of an invisible travel spectrum.
“Tourists“ are the ones who wear fanny packs and Aloha shirts. They’re the ones piling out of big buses to strike stupid poses in front of all the tourist sites. They are the ones eating at McDonalds because they’re afraid of “weird” food. They are the close-minded ones worthy of ridicule.
“Travelers“ are the ones who tote backpacks and only 3 pairs of underwear around the world. They use local transportation and thrive on living in hostel dorm rooms. They eat at street stalls and interact with locals as much as possible. They are the adventurous ones worthy of envy.
At least, these are the definitions we’ve been presented with – that tourists are “bad” and travelers are “good.”
But you know what? Those definitions are a bunch of crap. They’re nothing more than narrow stereotypes, and it bothers me when they are pitted against one another, as if one is more desirable than the other. When a big tour company tells people to “take travel back from the socks-and-sandals tourist crowd,” it makes it sound as though the evil tourists are ruing travel for everybody.
Which isn't true, of course.
I don’t care how you travel. I don’t judge where you go. I don’t label the “tourists” and the “travelers,” because, at the end of the day, those are stupid labels anyway. Not all “tourists” are buffoons, and not all “travelers” are saints. People are people, regardless of their travel style. I'm just glad they're traveling at all.
And yet, we are still confronted with the tourist vs. traveler debate time and time again.
My main question is: why does it have to be one or the other? Can’t a tourist also be a traveler, and vice versa?
What would you call a person who books a spot on a guided tour, but who spends their free time chatting with locals and getting lost in new cities? What would you call a person who backpacks around Europe, but only stays in places with Western amenities? Is one of these people “better” than the other? Of course not.
The truth is, there are some travel styles that just do not fit into either the “tourist” or “traveler” category. And there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, I am proudly a little bit of both.
If I stuck my nose up at “touristy” things, I would have never…
…climbed the Great Wall of China…
…visited the Grand Canyon…
…watched a sunset on Waikiki Beach…
…cruised through Milford Sound…
…or climbed to the top of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Some of these “touristy” experiences have been some of my favorites. I have great memories from all around the world of being a tourist, taking lots of photos, and just enjoying the sites that everyone comes to see.
At the same time, if I refused to be a “traveler,” I would have never…
…went hiking on a glacier…
…road tripped across the United States…
…climbed sea cliffs in New Zealand…
…seen one of the world’s rarest birds up close…
…or traveled solo.
These, too, are some of my favorite travel experiences. And I never would have had any of them if I’d been too afraid to leave the guided tour behind.
But, looking back on all of the amazing travel experiences I’ve been lucky enough to have, it becomes clear to me that it’s not about being a “traveler” as opposed to a “tourist.” It’s more about taking advantage of opportunities and doing the things that appeal to me.
I don’t travel for anybody else, so why should I let somebody else tell me “the right way” to travel?
Because here’s a not-so-secret secret: there is no “right way.” There's no “wrong way,” either. There’s only the way that works best for you. And sure, maybe your style is different than the next person’s, but that doesn’t make it okay to apply those “tourist” and “traveler” labels.
Screw those labels. And screw the people who use them in a derogatory way.
I’m going to keep traveling the way I want to travel, no matter what you call me. And I hope you'll do the same.
READ NEXT: Am I a Lame Traveler?
What do you think of these labels? Do you have to be one or the other? How do you feel about the “I am not a tourist” campaign?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
Fantastic post, Amanda. We totally agree with you – we’re all tourists in the end, no matter in which way we’re traveling, as part of an organized trip or backpacking. We certainly see ourselves as tourists and we would never even think about skipping a sight because it’s touristy.
Thanks, Dani! I’m with you — I’d never consider skipping a site just because someone else might classify it as being “too touristy.” Sometimes, those end up being my favorite places!
I believe that all tourists are travelers and all travelers are tourists. I don’t see a difference between the two and can’t stand it when people think that one is better than the other.
Some of our favourite adventures have been at hugely popular tourist attractions like Machu Picchu and Petra… we don’t like crowds or tourist traps, but that’s the price we all have to pay to experience some of our world’s top attractions (supply and demand!).
I don’t really see the need to differentiate between the two either, Cam. Like you said, I think most people are a mixture of both anyway!
First off, touristy things wouldn’t be touristy if there wasn’t a reason to see them! It’s all about doing what you’re comfortable with and enjoy–there’s a way to travel for everyone, even if that way to travel is a bit more touristy!
Exactly my opinion, Christine. The millions of people who visit the “top” spots every year can’t all be wrong, right?
I agree. If we are visiting a country we are all tourists. Locals don’t distinguish between tourists and travellers. I think a mix of touristy attractions and more unusual or “local” experiences is the way to go, but really it’s up to everyone to just do what they want (as long as they aren’t being obnoxious or disrespectful of local culture).
Regardless of what you call yourself, being obnoxious or disrespectful is NEVER okay. But I totally agree that locals don’t distinguish between tourists and travelers — to them we are all the same. Now, if only we could see ourselves that way!
A fantastic post about a highly controversial issue amongst backpackers, travellers, tourists, holidaymakers (or whatever people like to call themselves). As somebody else pointed out we are all essentially tourists when we visit a well-known attraction, it doesn’t matter if you got there by local transport, tour bus or private jet. I don’t understand why people get so upset about it – just travel your way and let others do the same!
I don’t know why it has to be such a big issue, either! People should just travel how they want to travel, and leave everybody else alone.
Thanks for reading!
Well said, Amanda – kudos for your post!
Thanks, Henry!
What’s wrong with eating at McDonalds? My husband and I like to eat where the locals eat, but there are times when you just want a quick meal in McDonalds. Plus it seems to taste better in another country.
In all seriousness you travel for yourself. Do whatever makes you happy, no matter how touristy it seems. The rest are just haterzzzz. =)
Haha, you know what? I’m totally guilty of eating at McDonalds abroad too, Sheila! But seriously… how could I go to a place like China and NOT check out what they have on their dollar menu?? 😉
Plus they have free wifi! I eat more McDonalds when I’m travelling than anything else (and their banana bread in Oz is amazing too!)
Haha, the free wifi is definitely a draw!
I totally agree. An American friend who came to India was so amused at our ‘Mc Spicy’ burgers she had to take pics of the poster.
I was shocked to see the McDonalds in Cairo had no vegetarian food. Esp since we have like at least 10 veg options here.
You learn abt different cultures in McD 😀
Haha, that’s very true! You really can learn a bit about different cultures just by checking out their McDonalds’.
I agree–everybody needs to take a deep breath and walk their own walk.
Amen!
I love this post! I think the most important part of traveling is keeping an open mind. If you won’t do something because its too “touristy” you are only cheating yourself.
Thanks Elizabeth! And I agree that you’re often missing out by skipping something just because the “tourists go there.”
Hehe well you know how I feel about it. Kind of dumb. I’m a tourist ALL THE TIME – it’s ok… it’s fun!
I do indeed know how you feel about it! 🙂 And I agree — being a tourist sometimes is definitely fun!
Ditto to what Deej said. I agree that narrow stereotypes are largely BS, but at the same time, most stereotypes become stereotypes for a reason. That said, there are definitely plenty of “tourists” who are absolutely lovely people once you get to know them, and there are plenty of “travelers” who are snotty asshats.
“Snotty asshats”… love it! And you’re so right, of course. I totally agree that stereotypes are definitely borne out of some degree of truth. But I think these stereotypes have gotten out of hand in the way that they’re used to sort of put people down.
OMG THANK YOU… I FU**ING HATE THAT CAMPAIGN… and because of it stopped following them. I even tweeted to them about it a while back and they ignored me. I think it is stupid and pathetic… I mean really for any “TOURING” company to write that is kinda stupid. I mean really “YOU’RE NOT A TOURIST So why travel like one?”.
To me and I have argued this topic with other “backpackers” in the end we are ALL TOURIST… we are visiting new places and touring them… no matter how we do it, solo or in a group we are TOURIST. If we visit a must see attraction or go off the beaten path we are still touring so um yes we are still TOURSIT. I’ve been wanting to write about this on my blog… but I have made a promise to keep the blogging and travel world out of it for now while I am on the road. I want it to be a diary of my travels & experiences. As for being a tourist or traveler I would say I am a tourist… cus who cares there is nothing wrong with that. In the end we are experience a different place, culture and seeing new things.
Haha, have I told you lately that I love you, Jaime?? I’m glad you agree with me on this!
Wow, I had no idea about G Adventures latest slogan. I’m totally with you. I think it’s crap. I’m a total tourist and unapologetic about it. I take the “must-take” photos, I eat at restaurants with menus translated into different languages and I avoid hostels like the plague. But that doesn’t make me disrespectful. There’s a difference there.
I’m a traveler too, and I think, at the end of the day, everyone is a little bit of both. Tourist experiences are some of the best.
I’m so glad I’m not alone on this! Though I feel like all of you who are commenting are putting it much better than me! Lol. I’m like you, though — I enjoy doing all the must-do touristy things and documenting it in photos and on video. Like you said, those experiences are some of the best!
And I agree that those people who really love to travel are a little bit of both.
Those must-see tourist attractions earned their popularity for a reason. I for one, am not going to skip it because it’s a ‘tourist’ attraction. Now tourist traps that serve bad food near those attractions, that’s another story.
Agreed, Gerard. The “big” tourist attractions may indeed be kitschy and crowded, but they’re that way for good reason, and I certainly wouldn’t skip any of them! Sometimes, I really like just being a tourist and seeing the sights when I’m visited a new place.
For me, the goal is to not be an “obnoxious tourist” or “jaded traveler.” I don’t want to be the guy that eats at McDonalds, but I also don’t want to be too cool for the Eiffel Tower.
You sound exactly like me! And I think you summed up what I was trying to say in this whole post in 2 sentences. Lol. Nicely put!
Absolutely agree with you two – I feel that when travelers claim they aren’t “tourists” they are referring to the obnoxious minority who have no respect for the countries they are visiting. Then again, some travelers are just as bad in their own way – so self-righteous, as if they are saving the world by traveling.
There is no correct way to travel, just as there’s no correct flavor of ice-cream.
Well said, Roy! I agree that some “travelers” can be just as bad as the “tourists” they look down their noses at.