Is the world overrun with tourists? No sense of adventure left?

[NetWareHead]

and killing the bot fly larva growing in my legs (covered the areas with duct tape to kill them).

Pics or hopefully a vid of the extraction?

 

[Vdubchaos]

Colombia is fine for tourism today. You have plenty of safe areas. The 90's are over. Nobody is suggesting you go walking off into the jungle walking through drug plantations though. You don't do that in the US either.

You gotta get over these old fears and look at the reality TODAY. Colombia hasn't been the kidnapping capital of the world in 13 years. Also be wary of statistics if you don't fully understand them. For example Oakland CA is one of the most dangerous places in the world. That doesn't mean you are unsafe going to San Francisco or even the good parts of Oakland though. In addition the USA has some of the highest kidnapping numbers in the world and I would never recommend people avoid it.

Not sure where you getting your info buddy....

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/top-five-countries-highest-rates-kidnapping-1441648

Also, interesting video I seen few years back...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToQ8PWYnu04

 

[bradly1101]

How many of us heard stories of trips our grandparents, or even our parents took and the places they went?

My parents really only went to Las Vegas (and they drove there! 1200 mile trip!) and a few other places, the rest of the world was never a thought to them. Most of my grandparents almost never traveled. Or their idea was a trip was Branson or Memphis to see Elvis's house.

In this day, where travel TV shows show ordinary yoyos globetrotting the world problem free, it seems people who has a desire to take real adventures have lesser and lesser options. The entire world is being paved with 4 lane expressways where buses of fannie-pack wearing tourists, with their packed lunches, and "Americanized" hosts hoist to anywhere from the Great Wall of China to the Taj Mahal to Castles deep within the heart of Europe. All without barely lifting a finger. Everything is roped off and "watch your step" caution signs.

Places that would take days or even weeks to get to 70 years ago, you can be there from anywhere in the word in 24 hours, while sitting in the lap of luxury with moist towelettes.

Now I don't have a problem with people exploring the world. I would sound like a hypocrite if I did. But it seems technology and commercialization has turned some of the world's last ancient and mysterious places into gift shops and photo opportunities for Facebook.

By far the worst example of this is Mt Everest. Since Hillary and Norgay did 70 years ago, what at one time many thought was impossible, thousands of suburban fitness buffs attempt to each year (of course with the extreme assistance from Sherpas and advanced technology). What a disrespect such a great feat.

Basically anyone who trained for 6 months on a stair stepper, thinks they are fit enough to attempt to climb to the top of the world. People have littered the mountain with trash and hundreds attempt every year with little or no high alt climbing experience.

What do you guys think, is the world overrun with tourists?

Yes everything is overrun. But also travel used to have a measure of dignity - even romance. I remember the family taking grandma to the airport for one of her many trips. We walked right into the airport and waited in a clean, modern terminal with what looked light stars in the ceiling. When she took a 747, the attractive stewardesses would let her show us the upper, luxurious deck of the plane. We walked on and off with no restraint.

Now in a 'post 9/11 world' it is more dignified to take the bus. At least you don't get felt-up.

But the biggest problem with travel (you alluded to it about the trash on Everest) is what we do to the planet to have our 'downtime'.

I know this comment will draw the ire of many here; after all how could my travel alone be a problem? It all adds up to more trash and more pollution. Is our desire to be elsewhere, see sights and bring home photos and trinkets worth it?

 

[amyklai]

There's plenty adventure left. Go hiking through russia with a pro gay message on your shirt. Protest for religious freedom in Iran. Ride a bike through China's industrial centres without wearing a gas mask. Take a sailing tour through the Pacific trash vortex. Go on a culinary tour through England. The world's still plenty dagerous.

 

[eng2d2]

http://vimeo.com/4636202

Is this your adventure? I think that is amazing

 

[JMapleton]

We need elite teams of counter-tourists to keep the tourism threat at bay or else the tourists will soon amass an arsenal of weapons of mass observation.

LMAO and facepalm at the same time. Bravo.

 

[raildogg]

People are bored. They want to seek "excitement." For some, its visiting some famous mountain. For others, its watching the NFL. Same thing, just a different way of achieving things. I'm sure our ways of getting "excited" will get more and more extreme in the future.

 

[raildogg]

Yes everything is overrun. But also travel used to have a measure of dignity - even romance. I remember the family taking grandma to the airport for one of her many trips. We walked right into the airport and waited in a clean, modern terminal with what looked light stars in the ceiling. When she took a 747, the attractive stewardesses would let her show us the upper, luxurious deck of the plane. We walked on and off with no restraint.

Now in a 'post 9/11 world' it is more dignified to take the bus. At least you don't get felt-up.

But the biggest problem with travel (you alluded to it about the trash on Everest) is what we do to the planet to have our 'downtime'.

I know this comment will draw the ire of many here; after all how could my travel alone be a problem? It all adds up to more trash and more pollution. Is our desire to be elsewhere, see sights and bring home photos and trinkets worth it?

Yes sir. Our selfish motives are behind all the problems. It's sad how we humans are trashing everything and everywhere for our pleasures.

Dignity, a word you used, does not exist at all. It's all about instant gratification, all about attention seeking, pleasure seeking. Go to the top of some mountain, take a photo, post it on the internet and that's that. I wonder if these people actually see the place they go to or are they so caught up in "sharing" it with others that they totally miss it.

All these guided tours with dozens of people. It seems bizarre but apparently plenty of people are doing it and probably more will in the future.

 

[raildogg]

How many of us heard stories of trips our grandparents, or even our parents took and the places they went?

My parents really only went to Las Vegas (and they drove there! 1200 mile trip!) and a few other places, the rest of the world was never a thought to them. Most of my grandparents almost never traveled. Or their idea was a trip was Branson or Memphis to see Elvis's house.

In this day, where travel TV shows show ordinary yoyos globetrotting the world problem free, it seems people who has a desire to take real adventures have lesser and lesser options. The entire world is being paved with 4 lane expressways where buses of fannie-pack wearing tourists, with their packed lunches, and "Americanized" hosts hoist to anywhere from the Great Wall of China to the Taj Mahal to Castles deep within the heart of Europe. All without barely lifting a finger. Everything is roped off and "watch your step" caution signs.

Places that would take days or even weeks to get to 70 years ago, you can be there from anywhere in the word in 24 hours, while sitting in the lap of luxury with moist towelettes.

Now I don't have a problem with people exploring the world. I would sound like a hypocrite if I did. But it seems technology and commercialization has turned some of the world's last ancient and mysterious places into gift shops and photo opportunities for Facebook.

By far the worst example of this is Mt Everest. Since Hillary and Norgay did 70 years ago, what at one time many thought was impossible, thousands of suburban fitness buffs attempt to each year (of course with the extreme assistance from Sherpas and advanced technology). What a disrespect such a great feat.

Basically anyone who trained for 6 months on a stair stepper, thinks they are fit enough to attempt to climb to the top of the world. People have littered the mountain with trash and hundreds attempt every year with little or no high alt climbing experience.

What do you guys think, is the world overrun with tourists?

What you have posted has everything to do with the human mind. It is a pathetic mind that is trashing everything that it touches.

Look at some of these Asian tourists, for instance. All wearing similar clothes, acting similarly, having similar mannerisms, rushing. They have a bit of money and they want to sight see and take photos. Same goes for European and American tourists. I wondering if they get into a craze or some kind of weird excitement. I'm not even sure if these people really appreciate where they get to. I mean, do they take a step back and look at the whole environment before them? Or are the in such a rush that they miss it?

Like you said, everything is commercialized - everything. The mountain towns in America, the mountain towns in India, the mountain towns elsewhere are full of vendors trying to make a buck. The large companies are doing their part in exploiting these natural wonders as well. But hey, this is the world you and me have created so this is what we get.

 

[MixMasterTang]

Not sure where you getting your info buddy....

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/top-five-countries-highest-rates-kidnapping-1441648

Also, interesting video I seen few years back...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToQ8PWYnu04

http://www.fodors.com/news/photos/fodors-go-list-2014?hpt=hp_bn18#!8-cartagena,-colombia

Cartagena is on Fodor's top travel destinations of 2014.....

 

[Capt Caveman]

http://www.fodors.com/news/photos/fodors-go-list-2014?hpt=hp_bn18#!8-cartagena,-colombia

Cartagena is on Fodor's top travel destinations of 2014.....

Correct. Tourist areas are fine.

 

[JulesMaximus]

So, take a year off from work, go buy a 30' sailboat and set off on your own adventure.

 

[CountZero]

All these guided tours with dozens of people. It seems bizarre but apparently plenty of people are doing it and probably more will in the future.

What exactly is so bizarre about guided tours? It isn't the way I choose to do things but I don't understand the hate behind it. But even still these are people exploring a new (to them) place and if it is with a tour group does it matter?

I did do a tour once. I was in Costa Rica to work and had a free day so I went on a tour that hit a coffee plantation, a volcano and some falls. On the tour were two other Americans and several folks from South America, Central America and Africa. No fanny packs, no Americanized food (though inland CR food isn't anything to write home about) but it was convenient for having a day to kill.

I just don't get it, people enjoy travel different than what you think, so what? For me food is an important part of travel but I've known folks that just go to McDonald's to see what foreign McDonald's is like, not my thing but more power to them.

Judging people for what makes them happy just strikes me as being about as petty as you can be, live your life, don't fret if someone went to Machu Picchu just to take a Facebook photo.

 

[purbeast0]

Colombia is fine for tourism today. You have plenty of safe areas. The 90's are over. Nobody is suggesting you go walking off into the jungle walking through drug plantations though. You don't do that in the US either.

You gotta get over these old fears and look at the reality TODAY. Colombia hasn't been the kidnapping capital of the world in 13 years. Also be wary of statistics if you don't fully understand them. For example Oakland CA is one of the most dangerous places in the world. That doesn't mean you are unsafe going to San Francisco or even the good parts of Oakland though. In addition the USA has some of the highest kidnapping numbers in the world and I would never recommend people avoid it.

i find it funny when people think it's unsafe in cancun, mexico because of all of the drug problems with the cartel and border towns and all that jazz.

that's like people being scared to go to orange county, ca because they've heard how bad detroit, mi is.

a lot of people are simply very sheltered and scared to do anything.

EDIT:

i see there are a lot of those people posting in this thread as well.

 

[raildogg]

What exactly is so bizarre about guided tours? It isn't the way I choose to do things but I don't understand the hate behind it. But even still these are people exploring a new (to them) place and if it is with a tour group does it matter?

I did do a tour once. I was in Costa Rica to work and had a free day so I went on a tour that hit a coffee plantation, a volcano and some falls. On the tour were two other Americans and several folks from South America, Central America and Africa. No fanny packs, no Americanized food (though inland CR food isn't anything to write home about) but it was convenient for having a day to kill.

I just don't get it, people enjoy travel different than what you think, so what? For me food is an important part of travel but I've known folks that just go to McDonald's to see what foreign McDonald's is like, not my thing but more power to them.

Judging people for what makes them happy just strikes me as being about as petty as you can be, live your life, don't fret if someone went to Machu Picchu just to take a Facebook photo.

I wonder if these people truly experience the places they go to. I have nothing against them. I also wonder if rushing about makes one truly happy either. But yes, let them do what they want. They need excitement and new things to see.

 

[videogames101]

if you dont want a tourist experience don't get one, if you do, do

why are we talking about this, live your own life man

 

[raildogg]

if you dont want a tourist experience don't get one, if you do, do

why are we talking about this, live your own life man

Well sir, if we truly followed this statement, this forum and the internet in general would be much smaller. (Which may or may not be a bad thing)

 

[AViking]

Is this your adventure? I think that is amazing

Not mine. Never met the guy. Saw this a few years ago though and thought it was great.

 

[AViking]

What exactly is so bizarre about guided tours? It isn't the way I choose to do things but I don't understand the hate behind it. But even still these are people exploring a new (to them) place and if it is with a tour group does it matter?

I did do a tour once. I was in Costa Rica to work and had a free day so I went on a tour that hit a coffee plantation, a volcano and some falls. On the tour were two other Americans and several folks from South America, Central America and Africa. No fanny packs, no Americanized food (though inland CR food isn't anything to write home about) but it was convenient for having a day to kill.

I just don't get it, people enjoy travel different than what you think, so what? For me food is an important part of travel but I've known folks that just go to McDonald's to see what foreign McDonald's is like, not my thing but more power to them.

Judging people for what makes them happy just strikes me as being about as petty as you can be, live your life, don't fret if someone went to Machu Picchu just to take a Facebook photo.

My problem with them is that a guided tour almost guarantees that you'll barely see anything. They are in such a hurry and just drag you through a site with a few comments but nothing of substance. If you do get substance you don't get enough time. There's always something. If you're trying to see wildlife in the jungle there are going to be too many people and assuredly some asshat who is talking the whole time and stomping his feet so that there isn't a bug within 2 km of you. If they take you to a village to see indigenous folk you'll get a few minutes with them and have to leave. If you're at Auschwitz you'll be herded through there with no way to explore on your own. And so on...

Not to be confused with hiring a personal guide. If you're in a museum by all means hire a guide to show you more. If you're in Nepal definitely get a guide to help you find Tigers and Rhinos. However in these cases they are on your schedule. You're paying them to show you something for a set amount of time that is more personalized.

If you find yourself having to rush something because of a guide then it's not doing you any favors.

 

[alkemyst]

OP have you ever even been outside yet?

 

[CountZero]

My problem with them is that a guided tour almost guarantees that you'll barely see anything. They are in such a hurry and just drag you through a site with a few comments but nothing of substance. If you do get substance you don't get enough time. There's always something. If you're trying to see wildlife in the jungle there are going to be too many people and assuredly some asshat who is talking the whole time and stomping his feet so that there isn't a bug within 2 km of you. If they take you to a village to see indigenous folk you'll get a few minutes with them and have to leave. If you're at Auschwitz you'll be herded through there with no way to explore on your own. And so on...

Not to be confused with hiring a personal guide. If you're in a museum by all means hire a guide to show you more. If you're in Nepal definitely get a guide to help you find Tigers and Rhinos. However in these cases they are on your schedule. You're paying them to show you something for a set amount of time that is more personalized.

If you find yourself having to rush something because of a guide then it's not doing you any favors.

I know what you are saying but lingering just isn't for everyone. I'd rather pick a few highlights and linger than hit every single thing that can be hit. Some people have a list of things they want to see and a limited time to do it and tours help with that. My mom wants to do Germany, never has been, can't afford it now and is 62. If she does manage to go at some point and does a tour so that she can see all that she wants to see in her one and likely only trip so be it.

I'm not asking why people don't like tours I'm asking why people judge those that do like tours. The person that did two day whirlwind tours through Paris is still seeing more Paris than the person that stayed home.

Sometimes it seems people are judging those that do tours more harshly than those that don't even bother leaving the familiar.

 

[Muse]

There's plenty adventure left. Go hiking through russia with a pro gay message on your shirt. Protest for religious freedom in Iran. Ride a bike through China's industrial centres without wearing a gas mask. Take a sailing tour through the Pacific trash vortex. Go on a culinary tour through England. The world's still plenty dagerous.

You misspelled daggerous.

 

[Muse]

So, take a year off from work, go buy a 30' sailboat and set off on your own adventure.

If you succeed in that you may not want to go back to work.

Judging people for what makes them happy just strikes me as being about as petty as you can be, live your life, don't fret if someone went to Machu Picchu just to take a Facebook photo.

Very good point.

 

[Howard]

You have never struck me as anything other than a small-minded hater.

 

[cubby1223]

A lot of places in Europe don't give a flying f*($ about safety. When I was visiting my folks in Germany we visited Frankenstein Castle in Eberstadt and there were no railing at the openings. I could lean out and look down 70 ft. Same thing goes for when my folks were in Italy. The ski mountains in Garmisch Germany have a run that connects the two sides of the mountain. One side is a rock wall, the other is an edge with a 200' fall. No barriers, no netting, only some signs.

You can have an adventure without climbing a huge mountain.

The railings have little to due with safety. It's about not getting sued - which is becoming America's new favorite pastime.