Are You a Tourist, a Traveler, an Adventurer or an Explorer?

[Fabricus]

When I was in my late twenties I went to a UK business school and did what's known as a Postgraduate Diploma in Tourism Management. I don't know what the equivalent qualification might be in America or Australia, but the course was quite easy. One thing we learned was that the tourism industry likes to distinguish between tourists, casual travelers and adventure travelers.

So how would you describe yourself: a tourist, a traveler, an adventurer or an explorer?

Here's what I think:

Tourists

Most visitors to Thailand are tourists. Single men flock en masse to Pattaya and do little more than hop from bar to bar. Further south, families set up shop for a week or two at all-inclusive resorts on the Andaman Coast and enjoy the sunshine. In the far south Malaysians cross the border and drive to Hat Yai for a weekend of shopping.

Travelers

Head over to Khao San Road and you'll see a zillion and one backpackers. These youngsters (many of whom are university educated) travel as cheaply as possible and chill out at the latest "in places" or "hip zones". Throughout the more accessible parts of Thailand you may come across them at budget hostels or simply lazing on the beach.

Adventurers

Lots of tour operators advertize adventure packages and opportunities to see "authentic Thailand". These tours are generally fine, but when you consider health, safety and insurance issues it's easy to see why the adventure quotient is a tad limited. If you want genuine adventure in Thailand you'll need to find it yourself. And there's plenty available, too.

Explorers

This is a tiny category: an explorer is simply an adventurer who goes looking for something specific.

=======

If this thread develops I'll give examples of explorers and undiscovered goodies. I may start by discussing recent efforts to locate the Flor de la Mar, a Portuguese vessel that sank in the Malacca Straits just over 500 years ago and possibly the world's ultimate undiscovered treasure.

[thaihome]

You seem to have left out the most important, and certainly the most profitable, the business traveller.

TH

[StreetCowboy]

And also the migrant labourer. I first met them in my own country, their next stop was Sellafield or the Channel Tunnel. We travel the world, earning money from the sweat of our brow and our bold endeavour. I'd post an Andy Stewart song, if I could..

[Fabricus]

And also the migrant labourer. I first met them in my own country, their next stop was Sellafield or the Channel Tunnel. We travel the world, earning money from the sweat of our brow and our bold endeavour. I'd post an Andy Stewart song, if I could..

Yes, you're right.

If it's of any interest I once lived in Folkestone and got to know some of the guys who built the tunnel.

PS. I might start a thread soon about awesome sports commentators. I looked at a few goodies on YouTube today and came across some megatroncic rugby commentary. You simply must watch this:

[JHolmesJr]

When i get to pattaya, im an equal opportunity employer.

[StreetCowboy]

And also the migrant labourer. I first met them in my own country, their next stop was Sellafield or the Channel Tunnel. We travel the world, earning money from the sweat of our brow and our bold endeavour. I'd post an Andy Stewart song, if I could..

Yes, you're right.

If it's of any interest I once lived in Folkestone and got to know some of the guys who built the tunnel.

PS. I might start a thread soon about awesome sports commentators. I looked at a few goodies on YouTube today and came across some megatroncic rugby commentary. You simply must watch this:

I think he was maybe too partisan to be a truly great commentator

[tomyumchai]

yes.

no.

kind of yes.

yes.

[quandow]

I'm a retiree who spends too much time on the internet.

[zyphodb]

And also the migrant labourer. I first met them in my own country, their next stop was Sellafield or the Channel Tunnel. We travel the world, earning money from the sweat of our brow and our bold endeavour. I'd post an Andy Stewart song, if I could..

Yes, you're right.

If it's of any interest I once lived in Folkestone and got to know some of the guys who built the tunnel.

PS. I might start a thread soon about awesome sports commentators. I looked at a few goodies on YouTube today and came across some megatroncic rugby commentary. You simply must watch this:

I think he was maybe too partisan to be a truly great commentator

Yes totally partisan, so much so that it works as a great bit of Rugby commentary, magnificently incorrect.....

[klauskunkel]

I am lazy

[gandalf12]

What has been posted demonstrates the trouble with the tourism industry. They like to put people into slots and become confused if they can not do that. For me I consider myself an expat who lives in Thailand and works in other countries. Not sure how you would consider me but I am sure it isn't in any of the categories listed in the original OP

[Don Mega]

Im none of them, are there any other choices ?

[Suradit69]

Lots of tour operators advertise adventure packages ...

No one who wants to think of himself as an adventurer or explorer would buy a tour package.

When I was young I traveled extensively in Africa and to a lesser extent in Asia. In those days on PanAm you could pay for a ticket to the furthest destination and then had some freedom to choose to disembark and later rejoin the flight at various places along the way as long as you kept flying in the same direction. What I did once I hit the ground in each place was only loosely pre-planned by me and not some tour operator.

I used travel agents to book the flights and some hotels, but would never have joined some package tour. If someone has everything planned out for you and runs interference for you along the way, how can you think of yourself as an adventurer or explorer? You might as well take the Jungle Cruise at Disney World and convince yourself you've traveled the Amazon and Zambezi.

Intrepid adventurers & explorers.

[NoshowJones]

Here's an Andy Stewart song for you SC.

It probably applies to both of us.

And also the migrant labourer. I first met them in my own country, their next stop was Sellafield or the Channel Tunnel. We travel the world, earning money from the sweat of our brow and our bold endeavour. I'd post an Andy Stewart song, if I could..

[Khon Kaen Dave]

All 3,my friend,all 3

[nikmar]

My old Mum said i was a real Trooper!

[northernphil]

I have lived here for 11 years ( so far ). I am a tourist when I go to BKK , a traveler when I go to a satellite country ,an adventurer if I get picked up by a bar girl and an explorer if it is a ladyboy. Or should the last two be the other way around ?

[marko kok prong]

i am none of the above,i am an exile.

[Sandy Freckle]

All of those and more..., at varying times.

Back in the early 70's I would simply purchase a flight to Bkk....., and from there I'd then pick up a train, bus or plane ticket out to somewhere else. Banger's was like the centre of a tropical wheel and a bloke could head on any 'spoke'.., in any direction.., cheaply.., with just 1 bag..., to find whatever adventure was going...., and in some instances some less welcome outcomes happened ! Kb was always a place where a anyone could pick up a cheap flight to pretty anywhere in the world..., but more specifically Bangkok was the place to access the rest of Asia...., and to also return to and swap ideas and stories of other places..., places that were simple quiet Islands, jungle beaches, mountains, waterfalls, occasional fishing boats, rice paddy with laughing farmers etc etc etc.
I'm sure the many recovering hippies(and others) amongst us here on TV will remember those seemingly halcyon days.
Almost all of those places are now tourist ghettos..., but there's still quiet places out there waiting to be (re)discovered by any who seek...., it's all in the head and heart.
Memories are sweet things..., especially when along the way one meets a fellow traveller to swap tales of yore over a cold beverage or 3.
Mind you..., I would never label myself any of those tags publicly...., they are names used by others.
But I still use a backpack on occasions..., but it now has a day pack and wheels

Edited March 19, 2016 by Sandy Freckle

[Fabricus]

And also the migrant labourer. I first met them in my own country, their next stop was Sellafield or the Channel Tunnel. We travel the world, earning money from the sweat of our brow and our bold endeavour. I'd post an Andy Stewart song, if I could..

Yes, you're right.

If it's of any interest I once lived in Folkestone and got to know some of the guys who built the tunnel.

PS. I might start a thread soon about awesome sports commentators. I looked at a few goodies on YouTube today and came across some megatroncic rugby commentary. You simply must watch this:

I think he was maybe too partisan to be a truly great commentator

Yes totally partisan, so much so that it works as a great bit of Rugby commentary, magnificently incorrect.....

Looks like I'll need to dig out some Sid Waddell commentary. He was the master.

[William C F Pierce]

Me, I'd call myself a tourist, adventurer explorer. One size doesn't fit all.

[bgrassboy]

A little bit of the afore mentioned at one time in my life, now just lazy!