“Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.” – Paul Theroux

I am always struck by the diversity of thought when talking with people about my, or their, travels.

In the world of “leisure exploration”, three distinct personas emerge: the tourist, the traveler, and the vacationer.

While the terms “tourist” and “traveler” often encompass various attitudes and preferences, a vacationer emphasizes relaxation, comfort, and a break from routine.

While all embark on journeys, their approach, mindset, and the essence of their experiences diverge, creating a fascinating contrast.

Here are some observations.

What are we going to do there?

Travelers tend to embrace exploration, valuing immersion in local culture, less crowded places, off-the-beaten-path discoveries, and the authenticity of their encounters. The journey itself is as significant as the destinations visited. They are interested in the iconic sites, but those are not the only things on their list.

Tourists often prioritize famous landmarks, iconic sites, and popular attractions. Their itineraries are crafted around ticking off items from a must-see list. This more likely applies to people who haven’t done a lot of travelling. However, iconic sites, like UNESCO sites, are wildly popular for a reason – they are iconic! Think Eiffel Tower, Kensington Palace, Sistine Chapel – you wouldn’t want to be in the vicinity of an iconic site and not visit it for the first time.

A vacationer generally is more focused on relaxation and leisure.

Connections

One of my most cherished outcomes of travel is the connections that I make – with my fellow travellers from my cycling or hiking club, with the local guides who have so much to share.

Generally speaking, travelers actively seek social interactions, engaging with locals, fellow travelers, and those they meet along the way to broaden their perspectives, to share stories, and to learn. Travelers want to take the time to understand customs, traditions, and ways of life, and look for multiple ways to immerse themselves in the local culture and have meaningful connections with the locals. Homestays, local eateries, and community events all present opportunities to connect on a more personal level. Favourite memories for me – being invited to someone’s house for a meal or a short visit.

Tourists may interact more within their travel companions and with guides during planned activities. Interactions with locals may remained confined to planned, scripted experiences. They tend to be more transactional in nature, primarily within the context of services provided, a fleeting relationship centered around the tourist industry.

For the vacationer, the emphasis is usually on personal relaxation, and social interactions are often secondary. Sometimes, they might even be seen as an interruption. Vacationers tend to be less interested in deep cultural engagement. 

Style While Away

While away, travelers often value flexibility. They may have a rough itinerary, but allow time for spontaneity, exploring destinations, and unexpected discoveries. They have learned that often the beauty of a journey lies in the moments between destinations, and appreciate the art of slowing down and absorbing what is around them.

Travelers see challenges as opportunities for growth. They understand that some discomfort is an integral part of the journey that leads to personal development and a deeper understanding of other cultures.

For me, souvenirs and mementos are an important aspect of travelling. I tend to look for small, original art works – a small canvas, a mask, something that can fit easily in my suitcase and become an important addition to my travel memory wall at home. I have strict rules about what I buy. It has to be of a place that I have visited, or of something representative of where I was, something that impacted me, or was key to my journey in some way. I try to capture emotions and stories in what I buy. When I look at one of these souvenirs, I can tell you where I was, who I was with, and why I bought that particular object or picture. Everything has a story.

Tourists tend to have less flexibility, and often are on very tight schedules, rushing from one attraction to another to maximize time and cover as much ground as possible. I have been on tours like this – I was very frustrated by the lack of time to just think and absorb all the information or sights that are being presented. Sometimes I felt like the objective was just to get the Instagram picture, it was not about experiencing something. Many people want to “see everything” in a fast and easy way – an air-conditioned bus, or a short walk to see the highlights, followed by a stop in the Tourist Shop to pick up some mass-produced souvenirs as tangible reminders of their visit to a destination. When home, the tourist will most likely describe their journey in terms of what they saw, rather than what they learned or felt.

The vacationer values downtime and may have a loose plan, leaving lots of room for relaxation by not having a schedule to adhere to.

Celebrating the Diversity of Journeys

While the distinctions between a traveler, tourist, and a vacationer are interesting to consider, the reality is there is fluidity in these roles. I like to think of myself as more of a traveller, but often I am a tourist. I like to see the main sites. I take pictures to remind myself that I was there. With experience, I have learned how to address some challenges, but sometimes it’s just easier to get on a bus and let someone else drive. Even on my favoured cycling trips we are on schedules – for example the boat may have to be somewhere by a certain time and we have to be on the boat! So, we can’t do that detour even though it looks really interesting. Or, you need to finish a hike before it gets dark.

Always, the beauty of travel lies in the diversity of perspectives and the shared love for exploration that unites us all.

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