Tourists get a bad rap, and the label has grown to have a negative connotation. Because of this, it has become fashionable to say things like, “I’m a traveler, not a tourist.” This kind of phrase makes me want to pull my hair out because it sounds pretentious, judgmental, and frankly inaccurate. Let me explain why.
Pretentious - You are separating yourself from the herd of other people who are mere tourists.
Judgmental - The average American has only two weeks of vacation a year. 99% of people traveling to Egypt will want to see the pyramids. People going to Paris want to see the Eiffel Tower. This does not make them less of a person.
Inaccurate - A tourist is defined as “a person who is traveling or visiting a place for pleasure.” So unless you are traveling for business, I’m guessing you are a tourist.
Instead of trying to disassociate yourself from tourists, just do your part to give us all a better name. There are good reasons that tourists are scoffed at. Some tourists can be inconsiderate, clueless, and rude. Here’s what you should do to not be one of those kinds of tourists.
Be considerate - Don’t dominate the entire sidewalk. Give people who want to walk faster than you space. Especially if you are in a group of more than two people, don’t walk side by side. Don’t block everyone else’s view by taking pictures of everything with your iPad. Don’t spend 10 minutes trying to get the best selfie while others are waiting to get a photo in the same spot. Instead, offer to take their picture for them in exchange for a photo of you. Don’t cut in line. Just because you’re in a hurry doesn’t mean that other people aren’t. Don’t be oblivious to those around you.
Have a clue - If you want to take a tour, do your research to find the best one. Know common scams so you don’t get hassled. Learn at least a couple of words in the local language. Know local customs and cultural norms. With the internet at our fingertips, traveling prepared is so easy. Pay attention to your surroundings, and if you decide to bring a money belt, don’t wear it on the outside of your pants like a fanny pack.
Don’t be rude - No one wants to hear your conversation, so stop shouting. Don’t complain that things aren’t what you are used to. You’re traveling to see another part of the world where people do things differently than you do. Listen, watch, and learn. You will better appreciate a culture if you ask and pay attention.
When I travel, I know that I am supporting the city and the tourism industry. For example, I live in Seattle, and in 2016 tourists brought in $7 billion. Here's the kicker - $718 million went to state and local taxes, which helps offset MY burden of taxes. (source: The Seattle Times)
There are some cities that really struggle with the amount of tourists. For example, Venice has really been struggling to stay afloat amongst the millions of tourists who visit each year. Narrow streets become bottlenecked, souvenir shops become more common than local boutiques, giant cruise ships block views and destroy waterways, and hotels and rentals are taking over permanent housing. It's helpful to be aware of these real concerns and to try to do your best to have a smaller footprint when traveling to places like this. For example, find and support restaurants and businesses that aren't along the tourist gauntlet - the ones in the back streets that are usually more focused on local business. Don't rent an entire apartment through Airbnb (I guess this is a real problem in Venice because locals are moving out and Airbnb hosts are buying places just to rent out). Maybe look to boutique hotels or rooms to rent instead. If you want to hire a guide, book an independent local guide instead of a giant group tour. There are ways that you can ease the burden and still get your chance to see Venice (or similar struggling cities).
Being a "tourist" doesn't have to come with shame. The world is big and waiting for you to explore it. So get out there and be a tourist, just make sure to be a considerate one.
