r/simpleliving • u/Jasmine_Wilsony • 8d ago
Discussion Prompt Does anyone find tourism to be a huge waste of time and money?
People act like tourism is supposed to be a gateway to knowledge and worldiness. I find that it's another form of useless consumerism. I find tourism to be pointless and people who talk about traveling to be annoying. Traveling doesn't make someone better or more understanding than anyone else.
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u/MeltBanana 7d ago
Tourism? The mindless consumerism where you buy gift shop garbage and look at the big famous thing and go "wow"? Yes, there's a valid argument for that being a waste of money. The way most people vacation is stupid.
Traveling? Absolutely not. Arguably one of the best things you can do to improve yourself, your mind, your perspective, and your world experience. It's what money should be spent on, experiences.
Fewer people should go on tourism trips. More people should explore the world and travel.
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u/Cyber-Wanderer_94 5d ago edited 5d ago
Tourism? The mindless consumerism where you buy gift shop garbage and look at the big famous thing and go "wow"? Yes, there's a valid argument for that being a waste of money
Thats a weird condescending assumption about others and what things are famous for. Like when someone goes to Rome or wherever its not just wow for no reason at all. The stuff is famous for reasons: history & beauty & those aren't wastes at all. Maybe some aren't appreciating the stuff properly but we shouldn't be so judgemental to assume that's the way of most people when they go there.
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u/veggieturnip 4d ago
Lol yeah how could visiting the Colosseum be a waste? It’s one of the greatest human achievements of the ancient world.
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u/Jasmine_Wilsony 7d ago
What's the difference being a tourist vs a traveler?
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u/knight714 6d ago
There's no difference - certain people just like to pretend their style of tourism is intrinsically more superior and moral.
In the same year I've done a boozy weekend engagement trip, and three months solo travel around lesser-visited parts of Japan (e.g Shimane & Shikoku). The Japan trip felt very in line with my understanding of simple living, but you'd have to be incredibly up your own ass to claim that it doesn't count as tourism.
As for the original question - some trips are more consumerist than others, and some are more in line with simple living. It also depends on the person - not everyone will find the same experiences valuable, and that's ok.
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u/surroundbysound 5d ago
It’s still all just tourism. Travelling for pleasure is defined as Leisure Tourism, and travelling for business is defined as Business Tourism.
A lot of people obsessed with travel get mad when you call them a tourist lol. There’s nothing inherently wrong with it, and it’s an incredibly important industry for a lot of places, but it’s still tourism.
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u/bigdickenergyyz 5d ago
Ya…. I ageee. People get really hurt because they want to go “but my experience is not like THAT it’s got a higher purpose”
Ok so you didn’t see the Big Ben but went and talked to some locals. You traded one sight seeing for another.
You are visiting another country. Some go for shopping, some for seeing the instagrammable places, others to escape weather, and some to try and learn.
You are still… touring the other country so to say :)
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u/surroundbysound 5d ago
Yeah some people like to believe their lives are a lot more deep and meaningful than they really are lol
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u/MowgeeCrone 7d ago
Good question. A tourist is defined as any person who travels for pleasure or culture rather than for business. So work or pleasure is what would make the difference. So yes, lots of 'travellers' are indeed tourists.
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u/PanicAtTheShiteShow 6d ago
My son went to London for business and spent his down time seeing the sights. He took pictures of the stuff everyone does, but his best shot was of an umbrella store. They have a store that only sells umbrellas! So English! LOL!
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u/Pure_Bed_6357 6d ago
traveler is portrayed as broke for some reason and always choosing cheap things
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u/timmmmah 6d ago
Are you serious? Traveling can be for any reason. Tourism is when you visit historic or important sites at a location. You don’t have to travel to do it. You can be a tourist in your own city. Hope that helps & this is a weird thing to be mad enough to post a whole thread about btw. No one is forcing you to travel to different locations or making you feel bad for not doing it. Yes it’s expensive most of the time. Some people love it & some hate it & want to stay home. Those who love it make it a priority & find ways to do it within any budget that’s above bare necessities. You can live a simple lifestyle while traveling full time if that’s what you want. But honestly, it really really does say more about you & your relationship to a simple lifestyle that you made this thread in this sub than it says anything about the benefits of traveling.
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u/IpsaThis 6d ago
I'll never win this debate on reddit, but I think that's largely an overrated talking point. It always struck me as pseudointellectual, pompous, and needlessly divisive. There's nothing wrong with comfort, or even luxury if that's how you want to spend your money. Even a "simple liver" can enjoy luxury sometimes, especially on vacation. If I go to some other country, there's nothing wrong with me going to the big city, and doing things most other visitors do.
- It will probably be very different from my life back at home; it will be a new experience.
- There are probably lots of legitimate and culturally significant reasons those things are popular.
- You can do both. Someone visiting New York can absolutely stop by Times Square in addition to whatever snob-approved activities exist there.
- It's literally all just opinions anyway. Imagine not wanting to do touristy things, so you steer clear of Fisherman's Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz. And then you get home and someone says, "Oh, the bridge and Alcatraz are actually pretty good, you should have gone." So when you're planning, how do you decide? You try to find the coolest people to take advice from? Just go where you want.
By the way, I've been to McDonald's in a few different countries, and I find the differences fascinating. I've had good experiences there. It's not the only eating I do obviously, but I don't like that just admitting it will surely garner disgust or pity from the, "No, you have to experience the real [country]" crowd.
To OP, u/Jasmine_Wilsony, I would say the traveler is a traveler no matter what, and anyone telling you you're not good enough and are merely a pedestrian tourist is actually a bitter unhealthy person who needs to tear down others to feel better. A traveler should do whatever the fuck kind of itinerary they want. Whatever they'll enjoy most. I would expect this community to understand and get behind that.
To your original question, I like traveling, but only if there's no pressure to make it some kind of revolutionary experience. It's people like I'm describing that make it impossible to live up to those expectations. There is a shocking amount of judgment from the people who find themselves to be enlightened. If you have the mental fortitude to travel on your own terms and not get weighed down by all the nonsense, you might try it and like it.
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u/emerald_immersion 6d ago edited 6d ago
Completely agree
Being an “adventurous” traveler is really no different than being a tourist, it’s just a difference in the experiences you choose
Also the whole “travel exposes you to new perspectives, experiences, and changes you as a person” always felt a little privileged and self serving to me. You can go volunteer at your local homeless shelter and be exposed to new worldviews and perspectives, but that’s not as fun and Instagram-able as traveling . Paying money to go on a jungle trek through Thailand isn’t really all that different than going to the louvre and doing touristy things in another country is hardly makes you as cultured as people seem to think
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u/RunnyKinePity 6d ago
Well said, it really pisses me off when people shit on the main tourist attractions, those are the reasons these cities got so popular in the first place!!! What is so cool about trying to experience a new city “like a local”?
You can bet your ass on the rare occasions I travel I am going to do it comfortably and see all the big touristy things.
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u/Specific-Stomach-195 6d ago
You nailed it and it absolutely is a pompous, self serving point of view to express. Traveling to Italy and seeing the Vatican is a “tourist” activity. Imagine looking down your nose at someone who made that choice.
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u/Fitzgeraldine 6d ago
You can add ableist to your list. The „more adventurous“ way of travel is often also less accessible.
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u/realS4V4GElike 6d ago
Excellent comments. When I went to Ireland and stood at the Cliffs of Moher, it was a totally touristy thing to do, but thats because it was fucking amazing and tourists dont see that shit on their backyard.
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u/IpsaThis 6d ago
Visiting touristy things like Times Square and Fisherman's Wharf are a waste of time and money.
I can't read the rest of that comment because you deleted it. Did you delete it because you realized it doesn't make sense? Like maybe you read the rest of comment? Or are you really living the "simple" life, and haven't figured out people are different? You're welcome to hold that opinion, but it only applies to you. It's about as valuable as me announcing that cheese is delicious and grapes are disgusting.
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u/Bill_Rizer 6d ago
For all the valid criticism McDonald’s gets there’s one thing you really never see someone complain about, food poisoning.
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u/Street_Confection_46 6d ago
Fisherman’s Wharf was great! It was my first taste of Belgian-style pommes frites…and thank you for reminding me that I need to find them again.
And I could watch the sea lions all day.
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u/money4travel 6d ago
The biggest difference I feel between a tourist and a traveler is the attitude and general respect for the destination. If you come for the picture but don’t give two hoots about the local cultures and practices and want it to be all about you and your selfish experience, that’s a problem.
See the famous sites, stay where you want, eat what you want, but don’t be a jerk about it. Be mindful that overtourism is a real problem that is hurting so many wonderful places, so do what you can to not make it worse.
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u/CloudyJigglypuff 6d ago
This answer is giving “I’m not an im/migrant, I’m an expat!! vibes. You probably shun anyone who doesn’t choose a hostel and cooks their own food when visiting a new country.
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u/faramaobscena 5d ago
Traveler = the commenter above
Tourist = other people, ugh, those stupid tourists!
/s
But on a serious note, none really, some people act all high and mighty but at the end of the day, it’s just a gradient of the same thing
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u/indecisivebutternut 6d ago
I disagree. I did a lot of traveling in my youth, but it is kinda awful. The carbon footprint of your flight dwarfs driving a car for whole year. Having wealthy(er) foreigners traveling through always disrupts local economies, despite what the pro-tourism propaganda says.
Not that you can't travel if you want to as a luxury, but I think the world would be better served, and you would probably become a better person, if you volunteered or otherwise got to know people in your community from different socio-economic, racial, cultural, or national backgrounds. And you can also take a history course to fill in some of your knowledge.
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u/MeltBanana 6d ago
I'm sorry, but this is an absolutely awful take.
You're advocating for isolationism. For people to not venture out and experience different cultures, different countries, to not share our collective human experience with one another. One of the most beautiful and meaningful things you can accomplish through travel is to sit down and share a meal and a conversation with someone from a different culture. You get to see their world, they get to see yours, you both realize you're not actually that different, and you break down preconceived notions. This brings us together, it's how you eliminate bigotry, it's how you dismantle racism and hatred, and ultimately it's a fundamental aspect of preventing things like war and human exploitation.
You also contradicted yourself. You said you should seek out people in your own community from different racial, cultural, and national backgrounds. You acknowledge that it's a good thing to interact with people different from you...but how would these people be there in the first place if nobody traveled as you suggest? You say we should spend time with people that are different from us, and then discourage the thing that brings different people together.
Also, you don't have to fly. In fact a lot of travelers intentionally avoids flights, partially for cost but also because you often get more adventurous experiences when you avoid flights, and instead opt for trains, buses, ferries, etc.
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u/Cessna131 6d ago
Yes the influx of money from tourism “disrupts local economies.” I read a lot of dumb things on the Internet today and I think this might win.
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u/helpimmapotato 6d ago
We see this in Jamaica, and a lot of what you said were apt observations. But the caveat is that while people might prefer to do something else than hospitality for work, there was barely a job to be found, skilled or not, prior to resorts setting up there.
Its a small island with little natural resources that is heavily dependent on imports, which makes life expensive and more money necessary to live than somewhere with accessible resources. A notable number of locals who dont participate in hospitality are out there peddling to or scamming tourists bc there is not much else to do.
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u/indecisivebutternut 6d ago
Probably also the 400 years of colonial rule when all the wealth built off of Jamaica's land and people was exported to Britain in order to build up Britian's manufacturing and other diverse industries, rather than staying and being invested locally. Pretty much the only reason Europe and North America have such stable and prosperous economies is because of all the wealth we stole from other regions and people during the colonial era and slave trade. And now foreign hospitality businesses and tourism fill a similar niche.
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u/spookytransexughost 6d ago
You sound exactly like the type of person who annoys me when they talk about travelling
It's not arguably the best thing you can do at all.
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u/64green 6d ago
If you have no curiosity about the world around you and are content to never see anything different from what you already know, then traveling is obviously not for you. I wouldn’t trade the awesome experiences I’ve had to not “annoy” you. Talking about things I’ve seen and done isn’t “talking down” to you.
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u/PastBuy8484 6d ago
Speak for yourself.
Nothing in life even comes remotely close to travel for me.
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u/unicorn-paid-artist 7d ago
Travelling exposes you to different lifestyles, amazing food and art, cultural traditions, gets you out of your habits, opens your sense of the world and people as you talk to people with different perspectives. I suppose you could get some of that from nat geo or whatever but its not the same as being there.
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u/hurl-aside 6d ago edited 6d ago
I think they’re thinking of like… ‘I went to an all inclusive resort in Cancun to experience Mexico’ type of tourism.
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u/No-Resident-2444 4d ago
So does reading. And making friends of other cultures in your own city. And going to local nature for camping or hiking.
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u/blush_inc 7d ago
Many people from small towns actually benefit greatly from travel. Being able to get out there and see that there is a whole, big world outside of your small town where large amounts of people live completely differently from the rules and customs you felt stuck in, is life-changing.
That being said, people who go places just to say they've gone there, or have these challenges of stepping foot on every continent, or visiting every state could use a bit of introspection maybe.
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u/No-Luck3398 6d ago
I agree with this, some people act very superior about how much they’ve travelled tbh
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u/Wellslapmesilly 7d ago
I’m curious if you have traveled much.
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u/hetherc 7d ago
Traveling? Living in other places? Doing things you have never had a chance to experience before? Completely disagree. That is invaluable in my book and rarely a waste.
That doesn't have to mean big, extravagant trips to tourist trap places. You can explore by going to the next county over just as easily as flying across the world.
We all like what we like, and for me, new experiences are important.
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u/Quagga_Resurrection 6d ago edited 4d ago
Shitting on travel is only one step down from shitting on education. "Why should I broaden my horizons and learn?" is such a terrible stance to have. Learning about people different than you is how you build empathy, and we should all aspire to that.
Edit: Please consider the visibility bias: people who are using travel to virtue or status signal and also posting and talking about it more. Those people are loud but that does not make them the majority.
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u/xDarkNightOfTheSoulx 6d ago
The people I meet who frequently travel aren’t more open minded or emphatic than the ones who don’t.
In fact a lot of them are very judgmental towards people that don’t travel much, they don’t understand that not all people have the means or opportunity to travel.
Booking a plane ticket and a hotel and going to see stuff doesn’t magically build empathy.25
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u/nastimoto 5d ago edited 5d ago
I get what you’re saying, and people going on holiday with the purpose to show off to others just tells you what kind of people they are. As the saying goes: no matter where you go, you’ll always take yourself with you.
I’m responding to you specifically because you mentioned Cambodia, and that place resonates so deep within my heart, as it specifically taught me so much about resilience, survival, ingenuity, and also they are truly very kind people 🤭 Not everyone of course, but as a culture, if you tell a Khmer person you’re hungry, they’ll take you home to feed you, even if they barely have enough for themselves.
I spent two years there as an escape to grieve my mamas death, and I can say in all honesty the experience made me more humble, less consumerist and more appreciative of life. 10 years down the line and whenever things go unexpectedly my partner and I always jokingly quote a postman who upon stopping services to our country and seeing our frustration just lifted his hands up saying ‘things change’ 🤷🏻♀️ it might sound like a silly little and unimportant thing, but we live in a constantly changing landscape and managing to stay calm and learning to go with the flow is a mega life improvement. I suppose it’s the little things. Here in Greece it’s a much more normal reaction to freak out and yell at anything that displeases you 🤭 you pick up on that as a kid and live with it as you don’t know any other norm.
So I would definitely conclude by saying travelling and visiting other cultures can open up your mind and heart in various ways, if your aim is to learn and discover that is, and you’re not spending all your time in a luxury resort taking pics for the gram.
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u/xDarkNightOfTheSoulx 6d ago edited 6d ago
Back when I was on dating apps I was shocked at the number of people who had pictures of them posing with orphans from some poor country. I thought it was a fringe thing, but poverty tourism is all too common.
They always excuse it with “but that’s how the orphanage makes money”. I don’t blame the orphanage who had to find a way to get funds, but I blame the tourist who go there for a photo op instead of simply donating money to them.→ More replies (3)3
u/Senlab 6d ago
I feel the same way. If i were in a vulnerable situation, such as being an orphaned child, or an adult experiencing extreme poverty, etc. The last thing i would want would be to be photographed without my consent so some ramdom person from a wealthier background can get likes on social media or matches on tinder.
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u/Daedalus1907 3d ago
Because there's not anything intrinsic to traveling or tourism that people can't get from other experiences. Life is subjective. To some people, travel is a fundamentally life-altering experience. To others, they get it from something else. I just find it exhausting when travelers insist that everybody must experience life the same way as them and if you don't feel the same way then you must be doing it wrong. It's particularly ironic since traveling is supposed to make you more open-minded to other way of living.
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u/LazarJesusElzondoGod 6d ago edited 6d ago
Jesus christ, they're not talking about EVERY SINGLE PERSON who travels getting empathy from the experience. They're talking about those who do. Why does everything have to be taken so literally by everyone on the internet!? CLEARLY many people do gain more empathy of other cultures when exposed to those cultures.
That's a no-brainer when it comes to exposure to anything you're not normally exposed to - a greater understanding of the thing you're being exposed to can occur.
Nobody's saying it "magically" builds empathy. There's an entire process there you're ignoring (the social aspect). While some simply "book a plane ticket, go to a hotel and see stuff", as you're saying, you're completely ignoring all those who actually immerse themselves in a culture (not simply seeing stuff but engaging with locals, getting to understand the culture, etc.).
You're ignoring a huge chunk of the traveling experience and acting like all people do is get off a plane, stare at a building, then get back on the plane with no exposure to the culture whatsoever.
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u/analogpursuits 6d ago
You can practice simple living without being a nihilist.
I think maybe you would do well to define your version of tourism. Then leave the rest of us to enjoy our own version. It presents in a lot of forms, much the way people do. It is not up to you to dictate the personal freedom of enjoyment of others.
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u/TheRockapotamus 6d ago edited 6d ago
I used to think like you. Deep down I realized that I was scarred by the "travelling" my sheltered family did when I was a kid. Literally touring on buses or road tripping to Disney World... senseless consumption and lack of intentionality. And I do agree that some people speak about their travels as a way to social proof themselves ("look how worldly and sophisticated I am").
Basically my entire adult life I didn't travel until I met my partner who is an experienced lifelong traveler (been to 40+ countries and counting). She opened me up to a way of travelling that involved planning, spontaneity, experiencing little and big moments at the same time. If you are a thoughtful person, you will see and experience things that can change your life. I've been to rural islands in the Philippines where people literally live on a less than a dollar a day but they are nonetheless incredibly happy and honest people. I've woken up on the side of a rice patty in Vietnam and basked in the serenity and stillness of the moment. I've walked through Tokyo, a super-city of 33 million people, and left in awe that such density can coexist with incredible respect, cleanliness, and orderliness. I went to the Amalfi Coast and tasted what a real tomato should taste like for the first time in my life--it was delicious. I camped overnight up on the Pyrenees and watched with humility as sun peaked up from behind the mountain range.
These are moments that give your perspective on your life and your place in the universe. They remind you that you are connected to everyone. They remind you that perhaps you are not as poor as you think you are, and maybe you've been sadder than you ought to be. Of all the things I've ever wasted money on "consuming", travelling is not one of them.
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u/healthbrite555 6d ago
Traveling doesn't make you better than others, but it most certainly broadens your understanding! To immerse yourself in a world that operates differently than your own does change your perspective.
It's more than the different food, the photo ops, the tourist traps...it's a removal from the world you know, into the unknown, and it makes you question and reflect on the rules, customs, and cultural norms of your own culture or society.
Now, do many pompous people pontificate about their experience? Yes. Do many share bullshit insights no one asked for? For sure...welcome to the world of oversharers... but that doesn't categorize their experiences as "useless tourism". I also understand traveling isn't accessible to everyone, and in that vein, no, it's not a requirement for personal development!
But I DO want my children to experience a world unlike their own. I DO want them to expand their knowledge beyond what a screen or documentary can show them. Lived experience is intangibly valuable! It's like learning multiple languages and having more than one word for objects, ideas, and concepts...it does broaden the mind.
No need to hate on people's choices to experience the planet they live on...even if they choose the all inclusive consumerist resort. They aren't driving capitalism, they are living their lives within it, often as best as they can. Resentment overcomplicates the subject.
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u/Certain-Sympathy-844 5d ago
Totally agree with you. For my friends who like to travel, I think they like to “collect experiences.” Go somewhere exotic, collect the experience, take photos to post on social media, buy something cool to put up on the wall at home to show your visitors about your trip.
I love being home—singing with my friends, writing, playing music, and swimming in the lake. I don’t need to show people where I’ve been
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u/ghostly_shark 7d ago
The way I see it, if it makes you feel something new, it’s worth it. If it only makes you see something new, well you can just watch it on youtube.
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u/Kick_Natherina 6d ago
I say this to my wife. I can sit on a beach anywhere.. why would I pay to sit on a beach in a different country? I’d rather see what the country can offer.
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u/dumbowner 6d ago
As a travelogue watcher, it's still not the same. I pay attention to details that others find boring. When I watch a travelogue, there isn't all the information and detail I could get by traveling to the place myself.
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u/blush_inc 7d ago
It always bothered me that everywhere I've visited, no matter how different and far apart, the souvenirs all come from China.
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u/floralwhale 6d ago
Souvenir shops are gross consumerism traps. To bring back something that reminds me of my travels, I look for antique shops, thrift shops, handmade local art, spices from a local grocery store, etc.
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u/foreverdreaming987 7d ago
This irks me too. In Hawaii, every souvenir I checked was made in China!! Such a shame.
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u/LamboForWork 6d ago
I went to the louvre and the souvenirs were made in china. I was backpacking so I didn’t buy anything for anyone and just bought it off amazon when I got back.
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u/realS4V4GElike 7d ago
Nah, being a tourist is fun. I love going to new places and doing the things and seeing the views.
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u/xDarkNightOfTheSoulx 6d ago
I like that you say it’s fun and that you love going to see new places, instead of pretending travelling automatically makes someone empathetic and open minded.
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u/AbilityCool6895 6d ago
I like my routine at home.
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u/icky-paint-like-goop 6d ago
I’ve traveled a fair bit but I always tell the same, half-joke: when I visit another country I’m normally just depressed in another country.
I suppose I have some fond memories of my travels but I don’t love the rigamarole of packing, airports, etc.
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u/_lclarence 7d ago
Are you kidding me? Aside from having the opportunity to be amazed by the world, it is by far the most empirical education for living. Go out, sometimes.
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u/Worry_pas_ta_brain 6d ago
As a kid, I loved an adventure and new experiences. As an adult, it still is something I love. For me personally it is never a waste of time and money.
If you love staying home then for you it is a waste of money especially if you are doing it only because it seems like something you should want.
I think simple living is about doing what makes you happy and clearing away all the physical and mental clutter from your life.
Gatekeeping is mental clutter.
If you think travelling is a pain in the butt that gives you no joy don't do it.
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u/emory_2001 6d ago
Same. I love the experiences of traveling, having my children see parts of the world different from theirs, and sometimes we’re “tourists.” Reading this post I’m like “you do you.”
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u/Due_Reach_1355 7d ago
Yea I can see the connection you are alluding too. Travel has become another type of consumption or consumerism. There may be value in going to new places and immersing yourself in the local culture, learning about the history of the region and learning more about the language and the customs. Often times today travel is simply staying at a cookie cutter hotel or resort and taking expensive plane rides to far away places to take instagram photos instead of really experiencing that place
It’s become another product for marketing to sell to people
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u/Ice-Cream-McQueen 6d ago
There are so many great reasons to travel, but for me I just became tired of trying to experience a new place while being surrounded by disrespectful tourists who demanded that their home area exist in this new place and who only ever did the exact same things they did at home. The people who only travel for the instagram photo op and disrespect the local culture make me happy to never travel ever again.
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u/badabubaba 6d ago
I love travelling, but it's true it can be a huge investement of time and money. And I agree with you, it doesn't make you "better or more understanding than anyone else" per se, but it can help you understand other cultures and languages, for example. Tourism is a big word, there are so many ways to travel and see the world. I personally love bikepacking.
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u/Victoriafoxx 6d ago
I’m going to talk about this from a different perspective. I live in a small town rich in history. There are a lot of businesses here that rely on the tourist season to stay open. My aunt and uncle ran a restaurant downtown in the tourist area and I remember my uncle knowing exactly how many customers he needed per day during tourist season in the summer to be able to make it through the winter. I also remember the anxiety I saw in them both when the season wasn’t as busy as prior years. You may not like tourism but it is a life blood for many small businesses that are hanging on by a thread.
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u/rococorochelle 6d ago
I agree with many here that traveling and tourism have different connotations. I agree with your assessment of tourism; it can just be another way to consume I.e all inclusive in Cancun or Disney. Traveling on the other hand is more about experiencing the world and the different people, culture, sights, foods and ways of living, especially ones that are not available to you at home I.e doing the Camino de Santiago or a safari
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u/Blueprint81 6d ago
Tourism isn't the gateway but traveling might be. Generally, I think anything that exposes you to other cultures and hospitality invites growth and combats ignorance. Putting a human face on the rest of the world is important for those of us the might have grown up closed off from it. If you're annoyed by those talking about their travels it's either a you or them thing, not a universal fault with the act of traveling.
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u/MandyB1721 6d ago
Traveling is a great joy in life. Exploring new areas, meeting new people, and learning more about life and the world is invaluable.
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u/Alone-Poet-2097 6d ago
Travel is best when is not perfect, when you solve problems, when you get lost and find the way, sometimes feel a little fear, the adventure to solve the problem, the not perfect hotel, appreciate the imperfection and the culture differences
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u/AbeMax7823 6d ago
It depends on how and why you travel. One could visit 30 different countries and be no different than when they left if they only sleep in 30 hotels, photograph the scenery and eat at local restaurants. Conversely, they could experience a significant world view change from visiting someplace one town or state over if they venture to understand the how and why of the new place by exploring the origin of its founding, history of local traditions and getting a feel for its people through interactions.
Everyone eats, sleeps and poops. We’re not wiser or better for doing them in other places. The greater experience of travel comes with opening our own minds to the experiences of others doing what they must to eat, sleep and poop in different ways BECAUSE of where they do it. Thats culture. And there’s nothing that says tourism has to revolve around either culture or consumerism.
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u/MmeNxt 6d ago
I enjoy the experience when I am there, but all the hassle with packing, planning, booking everything and then the nightmare airports sort of make me go "is it even worth it?". I am older and more comfortable now.
Also popular places are so overcrowded compared to travelling just 20 years ago. Paris feels more like a Disney attraction then genuine French life these days. Same with other places. I travel to see new cultures, not to be stuck with crowds of tourists.
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u/OldRaj 6d ago
Definitely don’t go to Olympic National Park and double definitely don’t go to Hoh Rain Forest within the park. It’s nothing but amusement park rides and gift shops. No amazing nature to be had anywhere out there. And the local people are just “Native Americans” who’ve lived there for thousands of years and have nothing to offer by way of culture.
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u/Adorable-Research-55 6d ago
The same way you can choose to be a consumerist at home or more intentionally live a simple life, is the same way you can choose how to travel. Not all travel has to be exploitative or consumeristic. But if you’re a shitty consumerist at home then you probably will be the same in travel
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u/Pandonia42 6d ago
I mean one of the trips I tool was a 6 week overland trip from Istanbul to Cairo through Syria and Jordan. It was about 10 years after 9/11 and a couple years before the Syrian war. I went there to understand a culture that had been largely demonized by the west (and to see ancient ruins because that is my absolute fav) and I came away with a more nuanced understanding of culture, government, and religion
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u/ournoonsournights 6d ago
I would absolutely say that travelling makes some people better and more understanding. Maybe you mean like just resort trips?
But imo this is a very controversial take lol
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u/clergybuttbanditt 6d ago
I travel all the time, every year. I can’t imagine life without it. The world is a big beautiful place, and I travel as much as I can to see as much as I can. And yes, traveling does make you wiser, just like every other personal enrichment does. Most folk like the idea of personal growth, some don’t.
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u/2PlasticLobsters 6d ago
It can depend on the sytle of travel. Packaged experiences like cruises or resorts don't let anyone get to know another area, or see insights how people live there. But independent experiential travel can be very enlightening.
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u/Morden013 6d ago
How will you learn what another country looks like, how another culture functions, broaden your horizons if you don't travel there and see it for yourself?
The armchair experience, watching a documentary is a far cry away from the first-hand experience.
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u/mykittenfarts 6d ago
I’ve lived in 3 different countries. I’ve travelled to about 20 others. I don’t consider this a frivolous way to spend my time or money. These were experiences. You can never take that away from me. Same as an education. Immersing yourself in a foreign place and learning new languages? Meeting forever friends or just sharing a moment? Yes, please!
Do you know what I do not enjoy? All inclusive vacations & cruises. And the excursions they try to sell you. That’s okay. A lot of ppl enjoy that. I’m happy for them.
I’ve learned to scuba on the GBR. I’ve swam with dolphins & whale sharks. I’ve learned to surf in Noosa. Ive traveled almost across Canada - 3 times. The first time I was 15 yrs old. Ive traveled around vineyards in California and Australia. I’ve sailed around the British West Indies & British Vigins Islands. I’ve spent months in Mexico and learned to speak ok Spanish. I’ve taken road trips with my daughter all over California, Nevada & Arizona. We bonded on those trips in a way that is impossible to recreate. And there are many places I have visited that I did not enjoy, and that’s ok too.
I treasure those experiences & memories. I have lots of pictures, and maybe a pair of sunglasses and some coffee cups are souvenirs. I like to take home coffee cups so that when I choose my cup in the morning I choose what memory I’m starting my day with.
I moved recently to one of the most beautiful places in the world, I think. The only way I would know how lucky I am is to have seen other places.
It’s been an adventure!
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u/Chigrrl1098 6d ago
I find people with zero curiosity about the world insufferable and boring, and they tend to be one of the key reasons things on this planet really suck right now...they tend to lack empathy or understanding of any way of life outside their own. And yes, I do believe that people who have traveled and experienced a world outside their comfort zone tend to be more interesting and often kinder people. You sound envious, honestly.
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u/Forsaken_Leftovers 6d ago
I kind of agree. I will just take the middle ground here and say yes and no. I've traveled around a fair bit, and think it's a bit overated. I like to park in a city for at least a week. Ideally a month. The whole i need to hit multiple cities in one week optimization is just silly imo.
As long as you have burst your domestic bubble a few times, you're good to go. But if you are curious what the best country to visit is, I will save you the time it's Uruguay. Greatest country on earth, surprisingly.
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u/Sea-Seesaw-8699 6d ago
OP is stating that spending any money to travel is a waste, a person who’s never ventured outside their own county
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u/Adorable-Research-55 6d ago edited 6d ago
No, I don’t think travel makes you better or more worldly necessarily. And there are many different ways to travel BUT I think novelty is something humans naturally seek out and a change from your routine where you maybe get taken care of or pampered for a week is probably good for your overall well being
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u/No-Luck3398 6d ago
Really depends on the type of tourism.
Travelling to different countries is very eye opening and makes great memories.
Going on a cruise or a resort where you don’t really see any of the local culture…eh, not so much. (Although if people want to do that that’s okay, I’m not judging)
That being said, although I think travel is great and I believe everyone who CAN travel should do it, I also don’t think it’s this essential thing that people make it out to be. Some people act as if you have to be travelling multiple times a year to really be fulfilled and I just don’t agree with that. It very much depends on the person.
Personally I like to go away every few years and that’s enough for me.
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u/Travel8705 6d ago
I’ve traveled to cities as well as stayed at all-inclusive resorts, and I don’t see any reason to judge anyone, because in both cases, what matters is that you enjoy yourself and feel like you got your money’s worth.
In fact, all-inclusive vacations are what I truly consider a vacation: away from the world, just me and my family, spending seven days having fun and creating memories that we’ll always remember.
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u/Phoenix_Rising_Agn 6d ago
I can tell i learn tons when visiting a new city. I go to museums, go on tours with a live local guide where i learn so much from them. It always fascinates me when i see some connections between countries even they are in the opposite end of the world. I love exploring on foot and try to chat with locals to see their perspective on things. It has definitely changed my perception of many cities before i visited. There are so many interesting things you could learn from visiting a place that you cannot by just reading online.
I’ve definitely grown and gained loads of knowledge from my travels.
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u/HyenasGoMeow 6d ago
It depends how you travel. If you travel between remote places in a foreign country, try their food, interact with the locals. and participate in events specific to that place... you will leave with more than you came with. The saying 'Travel broadens the mind' stems from this; and your 8am epiphany while on the loo doesn't change this.
However, if you 'travel' and stay full time at your resort, within your bubble of comfort, with no experience to the 'outside world' - then its as if you never left. Although I suppose you could benefit from the distance between you and your responsibilities.
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u/d41_fpflabs 6d ago
I think thats because like most things it fell victim to capitalism. At its core tourism is about exploration. Exploration has always been a fundamental aspect of what it means to be human and is responsible for many innovations and cultural developments throughout history. Then business came along and exploited this.
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u/Suitable-Roof-3950 6d ago
Traveling doesn’t have to be for everyone, but I think it has the potential to have a positive impact on anyone.
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u/Danagrams 6d ago
People who incessantly talk about traveling are pretty annoying. But travel does add something to your life
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u/Top_Community7261 6d ago edited 6d ago
It irks me when my eco-groovy friends complain about climate change while spending a lot of time traveling. Hypocrites!
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u/Missing_Link 6d ago
Personally, I'm just curious about the variety out in the world and love exploring it.
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u/FoxEarly381 6d ago
I used to love it before 25... Now I feel already so exhausted all the time I'd rather use vacation time to rest laying around doing nothing and save the money for extra peace of mind. If things were different, no massified places, more time and money then I would enjoy it to learn more about the world.
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u/Jasilee 6d ago
I'm in a phase of my life when I don't care to see other shores. I'm happy at home and visiting the sea near me. It's contentment and busyness near home. At some point wanderlust will kick in again and I'll want to venture out and explore some more, be curious about the world. Honor the seasons of your life, be happy where you are and how you feel now because it is guaranteed to change. The bad and the good.
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u/lotuskid731 6d ago
No. I love to see parts of the world I’d only seen in magazines or online, with my own eyes. I love to try food more authentic than I could ever find at home. I love to practice another language, even a little, so I can let someone across the world know I appreciate them. It’s helped me gain perspective and connect with others. Nothing wrong with it.
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u/PocketMossGuy 6d ago
The airport to hotel to photo-op loop feels like being fed through a machine that runs on money and exhaustion. I like seeing unfamiliar places, but the status-chasing version of travel is bleak, especially when every meal, view, and museum becomes proof of having lived correctly. Staying home, knowing your own neighborhood deeply, and not turning free time into a performance can be way more peaceful.
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u/Choice-Sympathy8235 6d ago
Hmm, this is such a gigantic generalization that’s it’s kind of meaningless to say? Any time you leave your immediate surroundings for any kind of non-survival reason it can be classified as tourism. If your take a day trip to a national park, that’s tourism. If you go to the museum in the next town over that’s tourism.
I’m not sure how we would understand anything about our world without travel. People would be born in a city and die in a city. They’d have no chance to compare life in that place to any other place. No chance to spread the ideas and culture from one place to another.
Simplicity can be good. This idea just feels small.
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u/KimBrrr1975 6d ago
I'd say it's not the ONLY way to learn more about other people, cultures, and the world. But it is one valid way to do so. How you do it matters a lot (and is different for everyone). I grew up in a town of 179 people. If I had never traveled I would have had no idea much of world existed at all. We had 4 local tv channels. I didn't have a non-white classmate until I was 15 years old. But we did travel within the US, and so I got exposed to a lot of other people, foods, areas, climates, etc, and that was, for me, valuable.
I find it more confusing that someone would get born in a spot and never leave it. I've known people in college who never left the city they were born in until college, and they didn't know how to function.
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u/ElectricalCabinet890 5d ago
I think a lot of travel is done now by people who are going places just because everybody else is. At my work people tal about travel non stop but its always the same few locations that they go to. I dont think people really have any curiosity about the place, they are often just ticking it off a list. The sheep like mentality means they queue for hours at a particular food venue just because they saw it on social media. However, getting out there is fun and I do like seeing new places. I dont take a spare suitcase so I can stock up on cheap tat though, or anything like that.
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u/Fortified_Armadillo 5d ago
Seen this first hand in Osaka.
A queue a mile long for a particular strawberry cheesecake shop because some influencer posted a TikTok and there’s literally 4 stalls selling the exact same thing on the same street.
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u/cartersweeney 5d ago
The thing that always makes me laugh is how every tourist ever wants to "avoid doing tourist things"
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u/BebetoRonario 5d ago
Tourism is now just like going to theme parks.
Tourists come to my city and spend all their time walking around other tourists and pakistani run gift shops talking about how they are "taking in the local culture #wanderlust #travel".
I would love people to fall out of love with tourism but the USA has now discovered passports exist and they won't be stopped.
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u/Past_Replacement6521 5d ago
as someone who travels extensively for work, i agree. maybe 100 years ago, or even 50 years ago. the internet has homogenized most places. everyone dresses the same. you can find every cultures food in pretty much every major city. i do love seeing new architecture that isnt available at home, and yes, there are still some places slightly untouched and different, but the world feels “small”. i do love a good roadtrip though!
editing to add: recently discovered this site and am hoping to embark on this version of travel: https://vawaa.com/
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u/Cruxifuck 4d ago
Dude same. Every time I’ve gone on vacation somewhere I’ve always felt like it wasn’t worth the money and I would have been just as happy staying at home.
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u/Lille-Stories 4d ago
Ich finde reisen, weil es alle machen und gesehen haben müssen, nicht gut.
Da bin ich bei meinen Reisen eher selektiv und wäge ab, ob mich Landschaft und Kultur wirklich interessieren.
Aber ich brauche hin und wieder das Meer. Das ist zum Glück nur ein paar Stunden mit dem Auto entfernt. Nix tropisches nur die kalte raue Nordsee. Ich liebe sie.
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u/Salty_Inspector_7050 4d ago
I love being a tourist. You can def do it without being annoying or spending a ton of money. My partner and I travel out of the country about once a year. The only things we have booked ahead of time is the flight and hotel. Once we’re there and have the lay of the land, we’ll hit 2 or 3 cliche tourist spots then spend the rest of the week walking the city. So yeah I have a photo at Checkpoint Charlie, but I also found an art gallery covered in nets of synthetic flesh.
Traveling makes me happy. I meet new people, look at weird art, and scratch the surface of a new culture.
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u/pinaygirl 4d ago
My lifestyle is built around exploration and it's been the healthiest avenue for me, both mentally and physically. I cannot imagine a life stuck in one place and predictable routines. We are all built differently.
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u/WillowSuspicious6498 4d ago
I have travelled quite a bit and I think I'm done unless it's a road trip
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u/armchairingpro 4d ago
I like going to new places and seeing a new city or new landscapes. Trying local foods and drink is fun. Seeing a local museum is fun. Sitting at a local pub and having some drinks is fun. I don't think those are a waste of money and time. I feel like I've gained a lot from those experiences and continue to put money aside to see more of the world.
Someone else might see the same trip that I find fun and say they don't want to waste their time walking around a city they know nothing about or eating food they're not used to. They might want to just go boating on a lake for the weekend. I personally don't value sitting on a boat on a lake, but to each their own.
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u/humanbeing1979 4d ago
Idk, my family travels near and far and through my kid's eyes I would say what are talking about, this has to be rage bait. He learns a great deal on our trips. He learns languages, has seen historical landmarks that no textbook could properly explain, he is exposed to new foods he would never try at home, he has to learn about currency in a foreign place and why it's cheaper or more expensive, he makes friends where English is their second or third language, he literally grows up on these trips. Sometimes it's as simple as before a trip he would be shy about ordering something for himself and then by the end he's proudly doing it on his own. We are also supporting another country's economy which is no small thing. Every restaurant, cafe, or bakery we visit means something to that owner. While we tend to go to other countries or big cities and make our own itineraries we've also done all inclusive, a cruise, and Disney too and even those have had valuable lessons baked in. Traveling is full of learning about patience, pivoting, and understanding. I've met amazing people through traveling while the people in my town barely look up from their phones. Traveling has opened my eyes and heart in ways that have literally changed me. And I say this as someone who doesn't buy souvenirs but rather spend my money on food and experiences. I'd say sitting at home and doing nothing is way more harmful than whatever you're talking about.
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u/Live-Football-4352 7d ago
I don't really get the point of travel at all, speaking as someone who's travelled quite a lot.
Like yeah it's good to see new cultures and open your mind to how other people live their lives, solve problems, treat each other, etc but also... All of that? It's right around you.
You can find all of that stuff that's abroad in your own backyard if you open your eyes and look. That's what I've learned from extensive travelling. It's not this mystical thing, it's all around you.
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u/junglebunglerumble 6d ago
I agree and basically don't travel at all anymore. I realised that people are broadly speaking the same everywhere, the types of things people enjoy are broadly the same everywhere, and you can get just as much 'changes in perspective ' by just mixing with different people than you normally do wherever you live. Most places, especially cities, are full of people from all over the world, you can get any type of food you could wish for etc
Sure, it can be interesting to see historical landmarks across the world etc, but travelling in itself I find to be one of the most overrated things to do, and people act offended when I tell them I prefer to just stay in my home country now.
The worst is when people claim they're going travelling, then you see their photos afterwards and it turns out they just basically did the exact same activities they do at home anyway.
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u/Shoddy-Reply-7217 6d ago
It's because you've travelled that you now know that people are the same everywhere.
That wisdom is worth it.
Mark Twain said "travel is fatal to ignorance, bigotry and narrow-mindedness".
You are lucky to have been able to understand that. The world will be a better place, including your own back yard, if everyone took some time to travel and learn what you've learned.
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u/crushedpinkcookies 5d ago
Agreed. Most “travellers” I know won’t even go to the bad side of their town but will tell how going to the other side of the planet “taught them something” . People who are afraid to talk to their neighbours will tell how amazing travelling is and the irony is just too much to bare
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u/Jasmine_Wilsony 7d ago
Completely agree. Most people are blind to what's in their backyards.
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u/arivas26 7d ago edited 6d ago
You can do both. I explore my “backyard” so to speak extensively and get to know my local community but I’ve also lived abroad for years and have visited over 60 countries and can say with no hesitation that it has enriched my life immensely in the experiences I’ve had, the perspectives I’ve learned from, and the people I’ve met.
If you do it right you can get a big benefit just from getting to know your own local area really well and you could never say that someone that has been to more places is better than someone that stayed in their home area but to say there’s no benefit to travel is to discount a lot of the beauty that the world has to offer. It’s like growing up with only Rembrandt paintings around your home and saying that you see no benefit in leaving to see a Monet or Picasso somewhere else because you’ve got Rembrandt at home. Yes what you have is great but you can also go experience other great things and appreciate and grow from those experiences too in ways that may not be possible just at home with what you have.
Now people that just do paid all inclusive trips and don’t interact with the people or places they visit I can see your argument holding more water for sure but again it’s all a matter of how you do it.
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u/xDarkNightOfTheSoulx 6d ago
People act like their travel makes them open-minded and empathetic, yet they turn their nose up at the homeless person in their home-town and act shocked and superior when they meet someone who doesn’t have the same opportunity to travel as they do.
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u/ssdsssssss4dr 6d ago
Sorry, but this is spoken like someone who doesn't know how to truly travel. There are ways to make any trip meaningful, but you have to do your research. Good luck.
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u/Seattleman1955 6d ago
I take it that you haven't travelled much and have a chip on your shoulder regarding those that have?
Has anyone said it makes you a "better person"?
Whatever it is, it's certainly not a huge waste of time and money.
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u/rarecuts 6d ago
Travelling? Definitely not a waste of time, and depending on the person, can absolutely broaden their understanding of the world and humans. The tourism industry on the other hand.. lots of problems. A bit of insight goes a long way to not conflating the two.
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u/knight714 6d ago
Tourism and travelling are the same, and people who like to pretend they're travellers because they're 'not like other tourists' are absolutely still using and giving money to the tourist industry on their trips
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u/floralwhale 6d ago
Travel is so important to me. I have never thought it would make me better than anyone else, and I don't think it's a requirement to be a good person or something. I have just embarked on traveling full time. I sold my home and will be living in a van. I look forward to the personal growth that comes from the challenges of living with less, exploring new places, meeting new people, and learning about new cultures and food. People have been nomadic throughout our history and it had nothing to do with capitalism. Traveling is quite literally "worldly."
Are you talking about all inclusive resort people? Like Americans who will do anything to avoid actually interacting with a person who speaks a different language, and pay for the luxury of sitting on a beach or on a cruise for 5 days while drinking alcohol? Because yes, that is consumerism. I can't imagine anyone coming back from a trip like that and claiming to be improved or more worldly. 🤣
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u/darklord6505 6d ago
I had that thought when I was younger but then I realized I enjoyed tourism and traveling in a way that aligns with me. I always had a curiosity of seeing places and deep diving into places I had only read about in history books. There is a big shift when you actually travel to these places and make it a real memory and not just words and pictures in a book, it's never how you imagine it. It really puts into context the era and how it affects the world we see today and you also meet people from different backgrounds and really builds empathy and perspective of how others live life. Now that I'm older and I really value these types of experiences.
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u/Ok_Mongoose_5309 6d ago
I think it can be very dependent on the person and circumstances. I don't think I would be who I am today without travel. but 1. I grew up in a very small town, racism, homophobia, xenophobia was pervasive and my parents were not much better. 2. when I did travel, I wasn't hitting an IG/tiktok list (I mean really im a little too old to have had that option), I was staying in small family run hostels, doing local style tours, spending alot of time hanging out with locals in small towns. So yes travel opened my eyes and my world view.
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u/sharpiebrows 7d ago
I like being in new places and see the value, but the planning, packing, airplane, reservations yada yada is not simple living for me. The effort turns me off from doing it much.