The Power of Tourism

Why do people travel?

On Saturday, January 14th, I will embark on my journey around the world. 100+ days of learning, traveling, exploring, understanding and changing...

But what is the lure of traveling? The people or the food? The stories or the conquests? Exploration or relaxation? History or adventure? T. S. Eliot wrote, "We shall not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." I have heard many others speak about the changes one undergoes from an experience such as this. One previous SAS student asked me inquisitively, "How much time will you take off when you return--six months, one year?" May 1st I told her. Two days after my return...

Ever since we have walked the planet, we have moved and traveled to return home and tell stories. There is a lure in travel. Something remarkable and explainable. It is the mystery of the unknown and the ability to control your own experience. However, more and more countries around the world are moving towards eco-travel and tourism. Tourism is a huge cash cow, bringing in cold hard foreign currency to some of the poorest and most developing places in the world. Even Guatemala is getting in on the action. This country, ravaged by civil war, pillaged by American Companies like United Fruit, and long a country repressed and even tortured by its militaristic and repressive regimes and govemments is going after the all-mighty dollar. Indeed tourism has become the cure-all for a number of developing countries, and tourism is now the fastest growing industry in the world, accounting for 10.7% of the world Gross National Product, employing 260 million people, and earning revenues of $500 billion dollars worldwide (World Tourism Organization).

At the same time, tourism isn't always the silver lining for economic planners. With dollars and tourist revenue comes change. China, Cuba, Vietnam, Russia...the world is changing. Demographic reform and voting comes more often from trade and tourism than from the military sword. Our upcoming visit takes us to Burma or Myanmar, a country long repressed after 40 years of military rule. Are there limits and standards for careful and safe tourism? What is our role as tourists and travelers?

Can travel and tourism bring democratic and free change? I don't know all of the answers, but I am sure that the most impactful and lasting change may not be the tourist dollar and ideas but rather the tourist himself.