Traveller or Tourist?

They do the same things, see the same sights, eat the same food and sleep in the budget hotels; they bicker with their company as well as take a feast of photos.

But what separates the concepts of a tourist and traveller?

On the city bus this morning I came across a husband and wife tourist combo, and how do I know that they are such? Because of their ardent, if not devout looking at the bus route map. Each time that we stop, they glance down and discussed. I know this behaviour only too well, because I myself have been there, upon arriving at the uni, I wanted to visit the landmarks and especially Parliament House, but in the nights before heading there, I was looking at the maps online and even had a guide on the bus, and yes, at each stop I was nervously looking down, hoping I wouldn’t miss the stop, though, it is a tad hard to miss the mammoth modern structure that is the national Parliament house. 

But yet, I managed to do so (that’s another post, for another day!)

But what about a traveller, how do we spot them in the crowd? I always sense the traveller, they don’t seem as stressed, more relaxed, but of course, it helps that they carry mammoth backpacks that surpass their height. It always amazes me how they can carry bags like that, I find it arduous carrying the groceries home.

While the tourist and the traveller are of the same purpose, their approach... and demograph is slightly different. The traveller is a tad more carefree; the hippies of the tourism industry and while they see all the sights and eat all the food, jam packing it into one day is not an option, rather, there is a steady pace. Now don’t get me wrong, they feel the same emotions as the tourist, most travellers are more chilled and generally younger (their 20’s and late teens). The tourists feel like they have to pack everything into one day, and have an running commentary each time they pass a tree, an animal at the zoo or another stunning building or skyscraper.

Now, don’t get me wrong, both groups enjoy themselves and this is not a post to decide who is the better holidayer; traveller or tourist, but it distinguishes and shows the intricacies of travel, after all there is no room for that in the carryon luggage.

Like what you read? Stick around because there will be more coming soon.