Do we prefer International Travel? why?
All is well in Bangkok, Thailand where I’ll be stationed until December studying and traveling. Excuse me for the lack of posts, but I’ve been busy living, learning, and making the most of Southeast Asia – which is amazing by the way.
But here’s the question I’ve been exploring:
Assume you’ve never traveled anywhere (really not far from reality for many Americans really), and all of a sudden you’ve had the opportunity to travel free to any 10 destinations. What do you choose? International, or abroad?
Well readers here based on the blog’s topic would choose international, but remember – you haven’t been anywhere in the USA. Your homeland and country.
Curious observation
This is just a curious observation I’ve been making note of and am thinking about. It’s a good thing to travel domestically through your own country, but I’d bet 80% of the time atleast most would opt to go internationally rather than stay at home. Personally, I’ve had countless travel convos with many Thai students.
“have you been to the US before?”
“yeah just a couple times. LA, Las Vegas, Seattle, Denver, Chicago, New York, Boston, and Florida of course…..”
In most cases, their own travel experiences in the US are more vast than my own.
When the question is reciprocated to my Thai friends and I regarding travels in Southeast Asia and Thailand, the same pattern re-emerges. They’ve been to Koh Samui once, Singapore, and Hong Kong once. Personally I’ve just concluded that most people do not want to travel domestically.
Why would we prefer international travel?
Mass Media
We are bombarded with news, images, cultural references, stereotypes of everywhere in the US. We study US more than other places. I already know it, and I don’t want to waste my time and resources seeing myself.
Sensitivity
My sensitivity to changes in life, in general, have diminished. Flashy ads, provocative images, and ‘crazy’ stories become dull faster. I have a desire for new experiences, and the more novel stimuli I’m exposed to, the better. Most novel stimuli are easier to find in foreign countries with unfamiliar cultures, ways of life, and language.
High Cost
Feel zero need to waste precious resources on expensive US domestic travel. Reconsider with cheap railways or buses, but not practical and may never be. Hostels? Guesthouses? Bed and Breakfasts and cheap motels exist, but not quite the same atmosphere as a good guesthouse or hostel.
I’d love to hear others’ comments on the topic and to see if I’m way off base with my observations, since my anecdotal evidence really is the worst way to back any argument. Input is appreciated.
I would have to agree on that. I am from the Philippines but I've never been anywhere except near the capital city (where I live) and one other island in the south. That's it. On the other hand, I've been to several countries and sometimes for multiple times.
I guess it all boils down to travelers' tendency to seek the exotic, the unfamiliar. I suppose that's the reason why people travel for leisure in the first place.
For me, it's definitely partly the cost being on a par often with somewhere more exotic. In fact, I had friends planning a Vegas trip once that I backed out of because (and this was at least partly because of their desires on where to stay, etc.), but it was going to be expensive enough that I just felt I could go somewhere further and enjoy myself more.
Another part of the equation for me anyway is betting on seeing the closer by places later in life. International travel may not remain in reach forever! And even if it does, I'd rather sit on 12 hour flights now than when I'm 70!
Abroad always seems far more romantic than home. I left the hurly burly of work and went to a small greek island of Paxos and it was superb but I guess I could have gone to some of the more remote places in the UK.
Great to see different cultures, food , smells and most of all the people. No home just does not ring my bell.
However, given the shocking exchange rate to the british pound home looks more of an option
Well, if I could afford to travel overseas, I would. But I'd rather get to know the nooks and crannies of the USA before I go traveling more expensively elsewhere.
I live in Atlanta and we have one hostel here. The transit systems serves it via bus routes, but it generally sucks. However, I've been to youth hostels in Boston, New York City, Toronto (Canada, close enough), and couch-surfed in Philadelphia and Nashville. All were cheap and very pleasant experiences. I disagree that travel within the United States is expensive. If you know your bargain bus, train, and flight sites, you can travel very cheaply.
In April, I visited Nikki Beach Koh Samui Bungalow Resort and found it very attractive. The rooms, service and almost everything were lovely there. I went there for a business meeting and after a hectic schedule, I took some days off from my meeting.I never felt alone while staying in that resort. The environment was so lovely and everything was just like what I expected from a good resort. I was simply thrilled and chilled by seeing their service and they did not let me feel lonely. The homely atmosphere and the sea side view are the most attractive things that everything is looking for in Thailand Beach Resort. Nikki Beach has exactly deliver the best of Koh samui Thailand Resort.