I came across a great quote today in a little throw away magazine here in Florence. It may not be new at all but I have not heard it before. It does seem quite on target, though.

"Tourism is the industrialization of traveling."

The article was talking about the rushing around in Florence to see all the "must sees" and missing its soul and heart. This is probably true everywhere.

It's a good quote and reminds me of something Anthony Bourdain was mumbling under his breath as he traveled around Uzbekhistan (sp), "Be a traveler not a tourist."

Though we might like to consider ourselves travelers (it is after all a more evocative term), there can be no doubt the locals see us all as tourists. It might be interesting to debate the credentials a traveler must possess, but I suspect it may result in some unfortunate snobbery.

"A tourist is always the other chap." ...... Evelyn Waugh

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A tourist is always the other chap." ...... Evelyn Waugh

Cute. Personally, I never got what was so bad about being a tourist? Or being pegged as a tourist.

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I never got what was so bad about being a tourist

Kim. I agree. I think the concept behind the original quote I gave was that visiting other countries is now being done in mass, in large groups, in rushing rather than savoring,in often people isolating themselves from appreciating the people of where they visit--or even having contact. This is as opposed to settling in for more than a couple days, seeking people in addition to sites,the desire to seek to understand multiple cultures and traditions, the valuing of each and every place in terms of what it is--not what we are, etc.

I am aware of people who come to Europe and never interact with the people, who spend their time comparing and contrasting with home always being the winner, with no understanding of where they have been other than the tower leans. To me the spirit of ST is that of travelers--not tourists. How others view us is not the issue, the purpose, desires and longings behind visiting other places is the determiner.

“The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.”
- Gilbert K. Chesterton

There are very many posts on these boards that tend to substantiate Chesterton’s viewpoint.

Peter

Wealthy British aristocrats of the 18th century considered touring the continent an extension of their childrens' education and the itinerary was a bit set by the customs of the day. And although the notion of class and protocol kept most from interacting with the citizenry, these privileged travelers returned to Britain with ideas that greatly affected the architecture and culture of their generation.

I have friends, two young widows and teachers, who travel to Italy every summer via a company like Trafalgar. Though they have often expressed a desire to plan their own trips and return to places that warranted only a day or two of the company's preset itinerary, I know they have been enriched by their travels.

I too can think of some who seem to resist the foreign-ness of their surroundings and have oftened wondered their reasons for leaving the comforts of home. However, it's not for me to scorn their actions or judge their motives. I believe we all find out more about ourselves when we travel, no matter our means or the method.

And to continue with the quotes, here is a passage from one of my favorite authors. We can see that the notion one should strive to be a traveler rather than a tourist is nothing new.

".... it is only by going off the track that you get to know the country. See the little towns - Gubbio, Pienza, Cortona, San Gemignano, Monteriano. And don't, let me beg you, go with that awful tourist idea that Italy's only a museum of antiquities and art. Love and understand the Italians, for the people are more marvellous than the land." Where Angels Fear to Tread, E. M. Forster