Isn’t a ‘Traveler’ the same as a ‘Tourist’?

At first glance there doesn’t seem to be much difference between a ‘Traveler” and a ‘Tourist’. Both pack their bags and leave the comforts of home to explore the world. Both are vacationers, trekking off to different places to experience the sights, sounds and tastes of a variety of locations, cameras in hand, sending postcard wishing friends and family members they were here.

But when you think about them for a few minutes, subtle (and not so subtle) differences begin to become apparent.

A tourist heads to a destination. The typical destination is usually one that reminds the tourist of ‘home’ in one way or another. Usually the strangers they meet in hotels and restaurants are other tourists from around the world; the food they eat has a familiar taste to it; and the shops, well, the shops are there specially for them and filled with special items that tourists like to buy.

A traveler enjoys the journey. And the journey generally takes travelers to places where locals live, eat, work and play. To places where very few, if any, tourists go. Where the language is unfamiliar, and the tastes, smells and sounds are new and exciting. Travelers learn about different cultures, and as a result, are changed by them. The photos are memories of experiences they have had – not just places they have been.

Are you a traveler through life – or just a tourist??

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