One travel experience does not have more meaning or value than another because of how it happened (backpack vs tour, etc). It has to do with what happens inside a person when they have the experience.

Any attempt to say otherwise is an attempt to put down others who don’t travel the way you do. It’s a ridiculous, elitist view.

http://blogher.org/node/7218

I’m inclined to agree with you - I think we travelers make too much of trying to stand apart from each other. There’s an odd competitiveness in the the travel subculture around who’s had the “truest” experience. And there’s a certain sense that you can only have that “genuine” experience if you’re traveling in relative poverty or in the third world.

Meh. Who’s to say you can’t have a real experience while staying in a swank hotel? Travel isn’t about what happens in your hotel room, is it? I don’t buy the economic distinction.

Anti-tourists aren’t anti-tourism at all. True anti- tourists wouldn’t travel! They’re anti a certain TYPE of travel, thinking they know what that type of travel “means.” But how can they know? It’s not their trip.

Blahblahblah. Apologies for the rambling.

Thanks for all your comments. I really like hearing other people’s opinions on such things. It’s really something that other travelers have all thought about at some point.

Pia, I like your rambling. Good stuff. Thanks!

Take care,
Timen