2011/12/31

Are You a Traveler or a Tourist ?

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Many of us like to travel but how you plan your trip, with whom or solo, where you stay, your budget that makes the whole journey difference and interesting. I have been traveling a lot whether solo, with friends or bringing strangers, I've meet a lot of visitor or tourist and chatting with tour operator. From all the feedback and my own observation, most Malaysian are categorize as a "Tourist" rather than a "Traveler".

There is nothing wrong being a tourist or a traveler. So what are the differences between a "Tourist" and a "Traveler". Let's ask yourself this. You want go for a vacation, what do you do? One (1), You plan yourself, do some research. Two (2), you walk into a Tour Company and look for some packages, Third (3) just join any of your friends trip.  
If you are a person who choose option (1) then you towards a "Traveler" category. Who are these Traveler. Traveler is a person who know what he/she wants; places to go, things to do, food to eat. He/she plans his/her own itinerary. Normally travel as a backpacker. As a backpacker you meet others backpacker whether at the guest house/hostel or during your journey. While staying at a guest house/backpacker hostel you not only have others "Backpacker" who can share their travel stories but the environment at the guest house/hostel make you feel like you are at home. You have breakfast together at the pantry, watch TV, play board games, read books at the lounge. 
Recently I met a Japanese lady at one of the backpacker hostel in Sabah. She travel alone. We were chatting while having breakfast. She has a list of food she wanted to try in Sabah. She ask me where can I try this "Nasi-Lemak", "Roti-Canai", "Tuaran Mee" and "Beaufort Mee". She is a TRAVELER. As a "Traveler" you see and visit more places, try more food, spend less, witness the lifestyle or culture of the country, meet others "Traveler" and don't mind travel alone. While I was in Nepal in 2003, solo backpacking, every stop you have a group of people with you. I still remembered when I was at Tengboche Guest House, a group of us (from England, Aussie, New Zealander, India, Canada, Switzerland and myself) together with our nepali/sherpa guide, we sing, drink and dance. It was really wonderful even if you travel alone. 
Now if you are the type who look at newspaper, advertisement or walk into a Tour Company for travel packages, than you are a tourist. What does a tourist do? Basically tourist opt for simple solution or pre-arrange tour programs. As long the place they wanted to visit, suits their budget and most importantly stay at a HOTEL. Being a tourist, you pay more; accommodation more expensive, you pay for tour guide services and tour operator will bring you for shopping more often. You also visit less places, discover less local's food option as most of the time you will be eating at a restaurant with standard menu. 
Me and my buddy met up two siblings when I was backpacking in New Zealand in 2010. Guess what they told us, they pay RM10,000 each for 10 days package. Where else I did my 14 days in just RM8000 and including all activities. See the big difference.

Say you get a invitation from a friend or friend planning for a trip and without hesitate you join them because you know them, then you are a follower. Most of the time a follower doesn't have his/her own opinion or don't know where to visit or what to do. "You go I go" style. For these type of person they can't travel alone, they must have a companion with them.

So what type of traveling people are you?