I
always tell people how I am a traveler and not a tourist. Contrary to popular
belief there is a huge difference between the two. Also, beyond the traveler
and tourist, we also have the excursionist.
Tourist: Tourists are generally governed by
time. Tourists go on holiday to get away from their lives, to go “rest” and get
away from daily stresses. Tourists are the people who go away and after their
short holiday they usually come back feeling tired because they tried to cram
everything in the short time they had. They want to discover and rest at the
same time – can someone say “Mission Impossible”?!?! a tourist will have their
whole itinerary planned out by the time they leave home. They have an idea of
what they will be doing, when, at that time, where and how. Everything is
planned to the last detail.
Traveler:
The
traveler on the other hand is never in a rush. A traveler understands this is
their lifestyle. They have a bit more time, they have a list of what needs to
be done and where it is but they are flexible in their time and how they get
things done. A traveler wants to talk to the locals in an effort to experience
their destination as a local. Instead of hiring a tour guide they will talk to
locals and finally find that one local that can take them to the place at a fee
that will definitely be lower than that of the tour guide and learn the more at
their own pace.
Excursionist:
This
guy visits a place temporarily for 24 hours or less for the purpose of business
or leisure but not in transit.
Tourist
|
Traveler
|
·
Governed
by time
·
Sticks
out
·
Sees
what they came to see
·
Seeks
answers
·
Separates
themselves from local cultures and people
·
When
things don’t go their way, their complain
·
Started
packing 3 weeks ago
·
Has
a flight booked
·
Don’t
know where they have been
|
·
Never
in a rush
·
Blends
in
·
Sees
what they see
·
Seeks
more questions
·
Makes
connections with the locals
·
Are
curious, they is no way things should go a certain way
·
Will
grab what they need when its time to go
·
Will
find the most convenient way to get there
·
Don’t
know where they are going
|
Now
that you know the difference between the tourist and the traveler, which one
are you? Or are you the excursionist?
x0x0
#TheSoloWanderer