Tourist vs. Traveler: Why It’s Time to Retire These Labels
You’ve probably heard the distinction made in social media comments: “I’m not a tourist, I’m a traveler.” It usually implies that one way of moving through the world is deeper, more authentic, or somehow better than another. But after exploring the world for a few decades, we’ve realized this comparison just creates unnecessary judgment.
Whether you’re backpacking through Central America or using points for a five-star stay in London, you are there for the same reasons: to experience something new, to have an adventure, to connect with a culture. It’s time we stop worrying about the label and start focusing on how we actually show up. It’s primarily about respect for culture, nature, and each other.
I’m fine with being a tourist, as long as I’m a good tourist. I’m fine with being a traveler, as long as I’m humble, courteous, and curious. Here’s how we choose to navigate the world with intention, no matter the label.
The Myth of the “Authentic” Experience
There is a common stereotype that the “tourist” only sees the surface, while the “traveler” finds the soul of a place. The reality is much more nuanced. We’ve seen people in the most crowded tourist traps who were deeply engaged with history, and we’ve met “travelers” who were rude to people in local communities or just there for the cheap drinks.
You don’t have to avoid the highlights to have a real experience. If you don’t want to see the Great Wall of China, that’s totally fine, but don’t just skip it because it’s too popular. You might be missing out on one of the most memorable experiences of your trip. If you want to escape the crowds, pick a less visited spot on the wall to explore, or look for a Great Wall camping experience. But also understand that other people might want to visit the closest spot to Beijing because they have limited time, it’s easier, and it’s practical. That’s ok, too.
Comfort and Culture Are Not Mutually Exclusive
One of the most persistent myths is that you can’t truly experience a culture if you are staying in a luxury hotel. I used to be the person who believed this. In fact, my brother called my earlier travel style “torture travel” – and I thought he was missing out on true local experiences by staying in bougie places. But I learned that I was wrong. Either travel style can be meaningful or miss the mark. It’s all about what you do with it.
Theo and I have done luxe and budget travel, often on the same trip to mix it up. In Kuala Lumpur, we stayed at the gorgeous Banyan Tree hotel and had a bougie cocktail at the rooftop bar for sunset. It was a “wow” moment with an incredible view. But then, we went downstairs and sat in a plastic chair in the market below to eat $6 street food for dinner. Neither of those experiences cancelled out the other. The luxury of the hotel didn’t make the street food less delicious, and the plastic chair didn’t make the hotel less of a smart use of our points.
Sometimes it goes the other way. In Singapore, we spent $130 on a basic Ibis Budget hotel right in the heart of the action, which freed up our budget to spend $200 on a spectacular lunch at the top of the Marina Bay Sands. Maybe you want an all-luxe trip and it fits your budget. We’re not judging. You get to decide where the value is and what experiences are meaningful to you.
Is Slow Travel the Only Way?
There is a growing narrative that “slow travel” is the only meaningful way to explore the world. While we love the idea of slow travel (like spending a month in one town and forming a deep connection with a community) that isn’t realistic for many people. Not everyone can take a month off, and that shouldn’t disqualify them from seeing the world.
If you have a week to see the highlights of Europe and you make the most of it, that trip is just as valid as a month-long trek. It’s about having meaningful experiences, no matter how long you’re there.
Sustainable Travel vs. Travel Shaming
Sustainable travel is a great goal we all should have. But travel shaming people for their mode of transport or where they stay doesn’t make the planet greener. It just makes travel more exclusionary. It’s great to make intentional choices, like staying in locally owned guesthouses or supporting conservation-led tours, but there are pros and cons to nearly every type of travel style, accommodation choice, and transportation mode.
And it’s not realistic for everyone to fit these experiences into their budget. Sometimes a Ryanair flight and a hostel bed or shared Airbnb is the only way someone can get out into the world and explore it. Sometimes a cruise is the easiest way for a group of friends and family to get together and celebrate life. I’d like to see the tourism industry taking more accountability and countries or cities raising their standards to protect the environment and local sustainability. That’s where real change happens.
The Overtourism Paradox: Offer Solutions
Overtourism is a hot topic for good reason. But the conversation usually ends with someone telling you not to visit places like Amsterdam or Venice even though they’ve already been their a few times themselves. It isn’t fair to tell people to skip these magical cities because they didn’t make the window. Everyone deserves that first moment of seeing the canals in each of these beautiful destinations.
Experienced travelers can help by offering practical solutions to first-time visitors:
- Stay in Haarlem: It is a beautiful, historic city, and the train ride into Amsterdam Centraal is actually faster and more reliable than many tram or bus routes within Amsterdam proper. It’s cheaper, quieter, and arguably more enjoyable.
- The Italian Regional Alternative: Instead of staying in the middle of the Venice crowds, consider making Verona or Bologna your home base. You can easily take the train or a FlixBus for day trips to Florence and Venice, see the highlights, and then retreat to a city that feels more local.
- Travel the Shoulder and Off Seasons: I first saw Venice in a cold but beautiful November and Amsterdam in a rainy but memorable March. It’s a completely different experience. You get the magic without contributing to the mid-July gridlock.
Redefining the “Good Tourist”
If you booked a trip for leisure, you are a tourist. I’m a tourist. Instead of trying to escape that label, we should focus on wearing it with a bit of humility and respect.
Our Approach to Intentional Travel:
- Learn a Few Local Words: Always start with the local greeting. It is the simplest way to show you respect being a guest in someone else’s country. Try learning words like please and thank you – and asking for the check and the bathroom. (“Toilet” sounds so weird to us Americans, but in most places, you’ll just be asking, “Where’s the toilet?”)
- Support Locally When You Can: It’s not about being perfect. It’s about doing better. Eat at a family-run spot and buy some handcrafted souvenirs from an actual artist. Work in some eco-friendly stays. Your spending is your biggest impact on the community you are visiting.
- Stay Curious: Read the history before you arrive. Learn some things about the local culture and how to respect it. Even if you only have 48 hours in a city, spend some time living in it rather than just viewing it from your camera lens.
- Sample Everything: Try the local food, go see some live music, and be flexible so that you can have authentic experiences regardless of your travel style or time in a destination.
The important thing is to show up with curiosity and kindness. Whether you are on a budget or a points-and-miles luxury spree, the goal is the same: to expand your world. So, let’s retire the labels, be good humans, travel with intention, and enjoy the ride.
