More travelers, less tourists…

If you haven’t read last week’s post on the “Rise of the Tourist“, I suggest you give it a quick once-over before reading on.   Short on time?  No problem.  I’ll sum up the broader points:  Tourism is big business and in 2012 there is expected to be 1 billion global travelers.  This trend will continue so long as there is economic progress in previously economically depressed nations, and, so long as there is an industry to market, package, and deliver destinations.  This isn’t necessarily a horrendous development, but rather one that is full of potential.

All caught up?  Alright then…

What’s the problem with more “tourists” anyhow?  After all, that’s a tide that shouldn’t (and can’t) be turned.  More travelers on the road can loosely be equated to more cultural exchange, more economic growth at local and national levels, and, generally speaking, broadened horizons for all.

Win-win-win, right?

I like to think so, but  based on what the fine print on my vagabonding card says, I’m obligated to point out that independent travel (long-term or otherwise) is inherently different than what the majority of “tourists” will experience. So what insights can the vagabonding perspective offer to the those inclined to partake in all-inclusive, pre-package, culturally sterile vacations?   Here’s a few thoughts:

Patronize the locals.   Eat, shop, and lodge locally.  Foreign owned companies often own hotels and airlines and restaurants and all manner of shops and by patronizing them you’re essentially creating the “leakage effect“.  Find out where your dollars are going.  Local isn’t necessarily always better, but it does mean you’re directly funding and impacting a community – aim for that.

Travel slow.  A theme covered recently on vagablogging  (Read more here and here), traveling slowly, with purpose, while soaking up the moments is a central aspect to understanding the world and cultures and peoples around us.  Travel should be more about the experience (and less the extravagance) and a good experience should always be savored and never rushed.

Go where your presence matters.   Burma?  Egypt?  Greece?  Haiti?  Japan?   Skip the hotspots and go where your money matters.  Burma, Egypt, and Greece are all clamoring for international tourism to return.   As for Haiti and Japan, both nations who’ve been hit by disaster in installments, these nations can use your time and help either as an in-country traveler or as a volunteer.

Widen your world view.  Let go of any ethnocentric thoughts and embrace other perspectives.  Read up on where you’re headed.  Familiarize yourself with the history, the land, the people, the languages, the customs, etc.  Challenge your own assumptions as they relate to governance, security, religion and the global relationships between nations and individuals.   You don’t have to compromise your beliefs, but realize that there are a myriad of other perspectives.

Be respectful of nature and replenish yourself in it.  Take the time to reflect, if not also genuflect, in nature.  Cherish the wide open spaces that rival the expansive soul residing within you.  The world is wild and impartial and that’s just its way of reminding you how indifferent it is to your worldly concerns.  I’m obligated to add that you should (re)read Edward Abbey’s “Desert Solitaire“.

I realize that the long-term, vagabonding perspective towards traveling and life may be a bit extreme for most, but, as in politics and religion and life, the extremes have a way of informing and pushing the center.    There’s a brave new generation of 21st century sojourners out there and they’ll be hitting the “road” in unrelenting waves, year after year…let’s see if we can push them a bit in the above directions and, hopefully, in the process create more travelers and less tourists.