Cultural Travel Versus Tourism
Are You A Culture Traveler Or A Tourist?
It is said that Tourism is on its way out, and Cultural Travel is the IN thing nowadays.
Cultural Travel is more than just a trend; it’s a distinction that frequent travelers use to differentiate themselves from tourists. But are things really so black and white? Is being a tourist much different than being a culture traveler?
Let’s begin by looking at the differences between
Cultural Travel and Tourism
Tourism, in fact, is an industry. It provides services and activities, such as accommodation and entertainment, to people who are traveling to a certain destination. Tourists usually prefer popular attractions and trendy areas, as these are easily accessible and offer a range of entertainment and distraction options. Many tourists are simply trying to escape the routine and boredom of their own daily life.
Cultural travel, on the other hand, involves taking the time to learn about the history and customs of a place, as well as engaging with the local people and their culture. Cultural travelers usually venture off the beaten path, seeking out unique experiences that cannot be found in a traditional tourist destination, such as visiting local festivals, attending cultural events, exploring unknown places, and tasting exotic food.
Culturally immersive trips that engage with local communities are trending, as demand for meaningful and useful travel experiences is on the rise among those looking at travel as a tool to learn about the world and enrich their own life.
Some Cultural Travel experiences may include participating in activities like language classes, culinary experiences, music and art classes, volunteering, and nature immersion. All of these activities offer a more in-depth understanding of a culture and its people and can help create more memorable holidays and even lasting friendships.
Juxtapose this with tourism as a form of escapism for mere pleasure and entertainment. In many parts of the world, and in many cases it’s the tourists themselves who ruin a destination or depreciate a culture
when they support unsustainable tourism practices and are simply spectators in a foreign country.
By engaging in culturally immersive travel, we can help protect and preserve the places we visit, and even contribute to sustainable development projects. We can make sure that our presence is not having a negative impact on local people, their livelihoods, and the environment. Plus, we can help support local businesses and contribute to the local economy. Above all, it can open our eyes to the beauty of different cultures and help us to become more open-minded, open-hearted individuals.
