Tourist, a Dirty Word

Let's talk about this dirty little word, "tourist."

According to CNN, the word “Tourist, is now a coded derogatory term to refer to a person who goes to chain restaurants in other cities or who spends hours waiting in line for an overpriced activity." 

But, what other words are “dirty” to you? "Sales," "marketing," "luxury,” “vacation”? It’s not the word, it’s how you perceive these words. How you attach these words to something “icky.”

There have been many taglines around "traveling authentically," "travel like a local," and "experience what the locals do," but… are locals staying in 5-star hotels? Are they able to afford to live in the neighborhood where you just got an Airbnb to feel like a “local''? Are they taking sunset cruises? Actually, some are, but it's called a staycation for them, something tourists do, something special to splurge on.

You do know, a majority of New Yorkers go to Time Square on a Saturday Night to watch movies and eat at Red Lobster or Olive Garden. So, what is local? 

I’m a luxury travel consultant and I even hide the word "luxury" because travelers immediately assume “I can't afford this” and that “luxury” isn’t accessible to them. 

Even I grew up with parents who said: "travel is a luxury" that we couldn't afford and I thought it was, till I bought my first roundtrip ticket overseas to Istanbul from JFK for $700. It turns out travel doesn’t have to be expensive and “luxury” doesn’t have to always mean “expensive” it can also mean “access”, knowing the right people how are connected. Expedia, Priceline, and most forms of media are subconsciously telling you “you can’t afford this, look for the “cheapest””

As a luxury travel consultant I would meet with all these luxury vendors, 5-star hotel reps, and high-end suppliers from around the world who kept talking about "Authenticity." There is nothing authentic about the 5-Star Luxury Chain Hotel in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Sometimes these places do source local designers and contribute to communities, always something to think about when booking a hotel, I already do that for my travelers.

When travelers ask for local experiences, they're asking for “off the beaten path” experiences. Maybe they want to listen to music at a mom & pop bar, shop at a small business, avoid Starbucks, see another side to the city like an “alternative tour” or African Roots Tour. Sometimes you have to go see The Taj Mahal, The Colosseum, or even eat a Boseong Green Tea Pork Burger at a South Korean McDonald’s 🤤 .

Let me share 2 of the most touristy things I did, during the highest of seasons in the most in demand country in 2021 and 2022.

The Trevi Fountain

Same time this year, during Italy’s biggest holiday, Ferragosto, I found myself at the Trevi fountain. At this point of the trip, I was alone and wanted someone to take my photo in front of the fountain.

The sea of tourists around me parted and I saw this man with a Polaroid camera offering photos in front of the fountain.

I darted towards him, waving my hand, but he didn’t see me and he was walking away with his back towards me. I HUNTED HIM DOWN, bobbed and weave around everyone trying to take photos of their family and friends. I got him and asked him for a photo, he immediately said "no problem €5"

At that point I really didn't care if he said €10 for 1 photo. I knew this was what I wanted, this is what I needed, I was looking for someone and he manifested from this large crowd.

He took the one photo and he wanted to take a second one, but didn't offer, he just took it, which I had no problem because I only had €10 and he gave me a deal for €8. This guy is talking himself out of more money because I'm just saying "yes!" He could have made so much off of me!

I gave him €10 I was going to tell him to keep the change, because I was so happy that I had this experience, I love polaroids, loved my photos,  I was alone and I'm positive he had a rougher 2020 than I did! Then he offered to take a third one for the whole €10.

It's ok to walk up to someone who's trying to make money from tourists. Not everyone is trying to hustle you, if you want to walk up to the Bangladeshi immigrant, who is offering you a service and memory, and ask him for a photo then do it! That person is working hard to help you create some special memories and make some sweet cash.

Do not walk up to the young, hot, tan Italian man who is wearing a bright orange speedo, t-shirt, who is leaning up against a pole, behind the pantheon… unless you want to, I guess that another way to support the local economy 🤷🏽‍♀️

It's ok to do that one touristy thing because you wanted it and someone really needed the money.

Pisa 😬

In my opinion, the ultimate tourist thing in Italy is the leaning tower of Pisa. I get it! It's a leaning tower. I've seen it on television my whole life, pizza boxes, even on keychains.

But, when my travel companion rented a car and asked if I wanna take a road trip to Pisa, I said “I’d love to!”

Before this, I was so judgmental (ok, still am, but I’m working on it) but during the ride we made a stop in Lucca, had snacks, and wandered the streets. Felt nice like we weren’t only going to Pisa, we’re mixing it up. I felt great about going to Pisa because I had a justification. I need to be able to guide my clients through places. If they want to visit Pisa, I need to know about Pisa. My travels actually aren’t always about me, I have you my travelers, readers, and followers in mind.

We parked our car outside the old city walls, entered 1 of the cities gates, we’re looking up and around for the tower wondering how we will find it, and smack! It’s right there in our faces. For a large tower, it felt like it just snuck up on us. As we walked closer to the tower I find it cooler and cooler the closer I get. It was the coolest freakin’ thing! It’s the famous tower I’ve seen on pizza boxes, key chains, and on TV 😂

I then looked all around me, at all the other tourists, mostly from Italy because this was during Ferragosto, Summer of 2021. They were loving it too! Watching families taking photos of themselves “holding up the tower” was the funniest thing! Everyone trying to take the same photo, different angles, a daughter yelling at dad in Italian and gesturing to him to move back. I walked away feeling really happy that I visited and complete.

That tends to happen, I (almost) always feel good after I’ve done or seen the touristy thing. Except Fisherman Wharves… I don’t understand them. But even Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco  is the “Time Square” for San Franciscans. There are cute little seals 🦭 .

It’s okay to not be a local, it’s ok if you stick out, it’s ok if you do the thing that will support the communities you’re spending money in. It’s a balance, it's important to be mindful and try our best to rid ourselves of classist mindsets that "like a local" can perpetuate.

What does my assistant think?

Here are Yerika’s thoughts on “traveling like a local:”

“I am not sure that really exists in the way that people desire. I think people who desire this just want to see what else is out there besides the mainstream go-to spots. What else is there to do and am I missing out on a new “truer” version of the place am going to if I only stick to the tourist areas? Although, downtown Chicago isn’t all of Chicago it is one very authentic version of it. Just like Central Park, and Times Square - real everyday people work, run errands, walk their dog, and generally live there. Do you need to see a 3 bedroom house 20 minutes away from downtown to get a true Chicago Home Bungalow experience to know one way a Chicagoan might live? I don’t think so.

My staycation in Chicago is going to look different because I know the ebb and flow of the city, I know my favorite spots for ice cream, pizza, taquerias, late night Chinese take-out. My version of Chicago is different as someone who lives on the Northwest Side than that of a Southsider; No matter where I travel if it’s for a short period of time there is no way for me to not be a tourist. I am in fact visiting - it doesn’t matter if I am staying at my friend's house or a hotel. So don’t be too hard on others or yourself for just wanting to have fun, eat good food, and see new places.”