There has been a lot of talk about the so called “social media” revolutions going on in the world. Is what happened in Tunisia and what is going on in Egypt and Yemen the result of an increased global communication? Twitter and Facebook might be the tools for global communication, but they certainly aren’t the first. Travelers are the first.
People often remark about the countries we’ve chosen to visit. Eyes widen when we discuss travel experiences in places like Colombia, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Uzbekistan. “Isn’t it dangerous?” people ask. “Your visa fee goes to support a repressive regime,” they sneer. “Isn’t their president indicted by the International Criminal Court?”
There are many arguments for and against traveling to countries whose government’s fail a moral litmus test. These arguments are completely valid and of course not to be taken lightly, but can tourism achieve what diplomacy cannot?
Before you laugh, let’s take a look at what tourism actually is. It’s a one-on-one industry. One that brings people from different cultures and backgrounds together. It’s one of only a few industries in which citizens of these regimes can have legal interaction with foreigners. Tourism, even if government controlled, like it is in Uzbekistan, pours money into private pockets. We may stay at a government sanctioned hotel, but we shop, eat and spend money on the street. Remember what happened to us in Asiyut, Egypt? Even with police escorts we still were able to shop and spend money wherever we wanted, even making friends on the street. Independent traveler’s often have the opportunity to distribute cash in a way more than any government or international aid organization could ever dream.
Most traveler’s don’t set out to change the world. They set out to explore a new country or meet some new people. Maybe they’re hoping to change their own world, but I doubt most of them are hoping to be a part of a revolution. The fact is every conversation, every personal interaction and every negotiation, exchanges ideas, encourages sharing and becomes part of our global communication.
At this very moment there are backpackers, just like us, in Egypt and across the Levant. Are they diplomats in their own right? Will their conversations, interactions and dealings provoke or continue the political change? With everything that’s going on surrounding them, I can only imagine what their stories will be like when the smoke clears. I can’t help but wonder what conversations and ideas they can share, even without modern day social media.
Mellissa says
One of my favorite quotes on travel:
Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all people cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.
-Maya Angelou
Jillian says
@Mellissa- Love this quote. It’s exactly how I feel about traveling, breaking down barriers one interaction at a time.
Cathy Sweeney says
Very interesting and thought-provoking article. I think you are absolutely right about the impact of travelers on global communication and change. You said it all so much better than I ever could, so I’ll leave it at that! Thanks to Melissa for the Maya Angelou quote, too.
Jillian says
@Cathy- Thanks! Love your blog!
robin says
Very thoughtful post. You would always hope that if travelers and backpackers are ambassadors then they are doing a good job. Not always the case of course.
Dad McKnight says
There is always something good about a positive connection with a neighbor or a total stranger. Perhaps social networking is allowing people to make a positive connection with individuals outside their box, allowing the free exchange of feelings, beliefs and ideas. Your title “Travel as a Political Act” does allow us to wonder about the impact a traveler may have as they discuss their own thoughts, values and dreams with people outside their own borders.
inka says
Very thought provoking post. Yes, travelers are foremost embassadors of their country and they can help reduce pre-conceibed, wrong ideas. But, as Robin said, sadly many tourists – and I make a distinction between traveler and tourist – forget respect, manners and common sense the moment they set foot in another country.
Jillian says
@robin and inka: One would hope that all travelers and tourists realize that they are ambassadors of their country, but as you point out many do not. Couchsurfing in Johannesburg, in an experience that repeated itself many times over the course of our trip, I became aware that we were the first American’s this couple had ever met. For some reason, that really affected me and it changed my self perception the rest of our trip. I’d like to think I was culturally aware and respectful before hand, but it really brought into focus how my actions and behaviors would leave a lasting impression on those around me.
Adam says
Great post! When reading it I couldn’t help but think of a night I had in our hostel bar in Bogota a few years back. Most of the hostel patrons went out to the clubs, which isn’t my thing, and my wife was sleeping already. The only people left in the bar was a worker (a local Colombian college student) and a few of his friends. We got to talking about his country and the perceptions around it.
These were all “kids” in their late teens, and they were very passionate about their country and the world’s perception of it. They talked about the drug perceptions and how hardly anyone their age uses (it all goes to us in the US or people over in Europe, they said, which is very true). They said the drug problem is one of production, not consumption, and if we wouldn’t demand it, the cartels would have no choice but to stop producing.
It was a great conversation that went on for a while, just me, by myself, talking to young, educated Colombians about their love for their country. We had only been there a few days at that point, but it had a major impact on me and how I thought of Colombia. I ended up falling in love with Colombia, and it became my favorite country out of 11 that we traveled to on our RTW trip.
Now when people ask me about the favorite place I’ve been and I tell them Colombia, they get a funny look on their faces and usually say something about cocaine. I immediately tell people my story, and I always love to see the surprised looks on their faces. That one simple conversation I had while traveling has been relayed to many friends, family members, and even strangers back home, and hopefully it’s done just a little bit to change perceptions. All because of travel.
Jillian says
@Adam: Great story, experiences like these are some of my most cherished memories from our trip. Traveling really changed my perceptions about the places we visited, both good and bad, but also made me realize how many preconceived notions I had before leaving. It was an amazing experience to be able to chance someones perspective on a place, person or activity, mostly because it changed my own perceptions at the same time.
We also loved Colombia, mostly because it was completely different than we expected. I was nervous about going there, in fact, when we started our trip I had put it on the “No way, Jose” list. My perceptions started to change in Central America- nearly every traveler we met going north raved about Colombia. It took a few people, but eventually I was convinced and it was a decision I’ll never regret. So glad to hear you had the same experience. Every time I see a Colombia Tourism Advertisement with the slogan – “the only risk is loving it” – I smile. It’s true!
Ruth Kozak says
This is a very interesting article. I think real travellers are not adverse to visiting these countries where there is opression because by being there you are giving support to the people, enlightening them about what else is going on the world and sharing their culture.
I know Americans are not allowed to go to Cuba, for instance, unless they sneak in thru Canada (where I live). Canadians love going to Cuba. I absolutely fell in love with Havana when I was there and the people were so warm and generous and happy to see us there. One of the best parts was taking a back-pack of gifts — simple things like small toys for kids, crayons, felt pens, soap, aspirins, nylons etc and passing them out to people I’d meet along the Malecon, or to the maids at the hotel. They were so grateful. And the people, in spite of their supposed oppressive Communist regime, were welcoming and happy.
We can be true ambassadors when we travel to these places. We are not staying in first class hotels and demanding things be like they are at home. Most of us are back-packers, adventure seekers, curious about the world and other cultures. And most importantly, we respect the people and their customs whenever we go and don’t expect they should be like ‘the folks at home’.
Jillian says
@Ruth – Thank you for your wonderful story about Cuba. My sister legally studied abroad there in 2004 and had a wonderful time. Danny and I both would love to go and experience the country as it is today. I agree with what you said above, by being there as a traveler, you are giving support to the people. Just visiting a place can renew someone’s pride in their country. Sitting in shared taxi’s in Africa we were often stared at, but once people got over the shock that we were there just to visit, not to work at an NGO, they were often very excited to share advice, tips and hospitality with us. It was as though the novelty of someone coming to their village without a development mission was a source of pride. So many tired and worn faces beamed ear to ear when we told them how much we enjoyed their country, where we had been and what we had been doing. You could see that it raised their spirits and perhaps some hope for the future.
Kelly says
Bravo to you for traveling to amazing countries while others assume they are too “dangerous”. There is danger everywhere.
Sometimes, I’m convinced my hometown is more dangerous than certain parts of South America that truly intimidated me.
Going out and meeting locals, exchanging ideas and conversation, is what traveling is all about, and what leads to greater understanding between us.
Jillian says
@Kelly- Thanks for your comment, love the concept of Go! Girl Guides. I’m really looking forward to see what the future holds for you gals.
Of course you have to be aware of situations around you, but I agree, I think the neighborhood where we lived in DC was more dangerous than most of the countries we visited with State Department warnings! Traveling through South America, most of the robbery stories we heard started with something like, I was walking home alone from a club at 3 a.m….! I wouldn’t do that at home and I certainly wouldn’t do it in a developing country. To be fair there were for sure still a number of “wrong place, wrong time” stories, but I think there’s a lot of rumor circulating on the gringo trail that makes backpackers unnecessarily fearful.
Christy @ Ordinary Traveler says
There will always be people that think it’s too dangerous to travel to certain places. It’s crazy to me that so many Americans won’t even venture to Mexico anymore. Great thought-provoking post.
Jillian says
@Christy- I know what you mean about Mexico. I’m aghast at what is being shown on the nightly news here in the US, the reporting makes it sound like every place in Mexico is under cartel control! I guess it means fewer crowds for the rest of us!
The Travel Chica says
I really enjoyed your perspective on this topic. I had never thought of travelers as a tool for global communication, but I think you are right. Well done.
Jillian says
The first forms of global communication were travelers- think of Marco Polo. Although places may be more “explored” today geographically, I think we’re always exploring new cultures and people. Too cheesy?