Sharing a short essay that arrived in my inbox today, courtesy of Dense Discovery — a newsletter about design, tech, sustainability and urbanism curated by Kai Brach, based in Melbourne, Australia.
Do we travel for transformation or validation?
It's always interesting to hear what thought leaders "outside" the travel industry have to say about the state of tourism, so I'm sharing Kai's article with his permission.
There's a few good points in this piece, including how touristic travel (e.g. mass tourism) can import more culture to a destination than it exports. I also agree that seeking validation on social media is drowning out good quality travel content.
There's some truth to Kai's point about escapism. Consider this: the biggest competitor to a travel agent is the electronics shop, where consumers can instead buy a new 50" flatscreen TV. In this scenario, which "escapism" is worse? Buying a new TV or booking a trip on a cruise ship? 😅
However, I don't believe that all trave...
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As an avid solo traveler, many people ask me how to get started and for me solo traveling is like second nature, but for many it's terrifying. If you are terrified of traveling alone would you hire someone to walk you through it?
Absolutely!
Being terrified of your travels is the worst possible way to start a journey. Although there are an abundance of online resources to help someone address these valid concerns, speaking to an experienced traveller or digital nomad is an effective way of personalising the concern.
I've been travelling fulltime for five years and am happy to share my experiences and knowledge in safe travel. Let me know if I can help!
Hi Triv,
Thank you for your comment and it can be quite terrifying at first even with too many resources available. It still requires pure individual will to take the leap, which Im sure you now know, was so worth it.
Good question.
If I think back to my first solo travel experience, it wouldn't have happened without some firm encouragement from a good friend of mine. In 2006 I was couchsurfing at a friend's place in San Diego for a climate research conference, and was told sternly "you have to go discover San Francisco!". I reluctantly arrived at the Green Tortoise hostel in SF, and the rest is history! This is the reason (longer story - see my bio) why Travel Massive exists.
My biggest fear of traveling solo was not being able to make friends or starting a conversation. I'm a computer scientist, and it took years to build up my confidence in social environments outside of tech. It was solo travel that helped me overcome my anxiety in social settings. So I have a lot to thank for travel and that trip by myself.
Whether it's a friend, a travel agent, a coach, or a consultant — really it's about getting that nudge (or shove) to push you out of your comfort zone.
Hi Ian,
It does require a nudge to actually do it. Of course getting some external help is always a plus but nothing can make us do anything. We have to want to. That was my experience when I traveled solo for the first time in 2016 and you are right that having a fear of not making friends is real. Whats amazing is once you actually take the leap so many beautiful tings start to emerge like meeting great people. I cant wait to read your story on how Travel Massive was conceived.
Thank you for sharing.
I also remember the first time I traveled solo. It was daunting at first, but then I learned to love it. But yes, I think I would hire someone to walk me through it if it was my first time. Or even just talking to travelers for encouragement
Hi Erin,
Yup it truly is daunting at first, and I too loved it immediately. I asked this question because so many people I know have a desire to solo travel but they have a ton of fears that do require some help with getting through. some people are okay with getting on a plane alone, but are terrified to walk around a place they know nothing about. Others are great with getting somewhere but have a hard time getting themselves involved in activities and other adventures.
Thank you for sharing.
I guess it mainly depends where you travel to. If it is a European country where each can easily find buses, trains, between cities and public transport in the city, sightseeing, museums, etc it is quite easy to traverl solo. In the destinations where online purchase of services is not that developed difficulties can come up which would terrify. So everything depends on the destination.
Hi Nune,
Yup you are 100% right in that it definitely depends on where you are going. That changes everything and you I think do have to have a few trips under your belt to travel to places that are more underdeveloped or just different from what is considered normal for you. The destination absolutely matters.
Thank you for sharing.
My first solo travel was to a familiar country where I already knew how to get around, and then soon after to stranger places. I find that I learn best when I've experienced it on my own and when I took one step at a time, from a big luggage to a small luggage to a backpack. Didn't think I'd get to become a real solo backpacker eventually!
I do have friends who asked me to go with them on trips, where I taught them the ropes of solo travelling, sometimes leaving them to go explore on their own. At the end of the day, I think they're lucky they had me, a friend who solo travels and could give them advices. I didn't know any for a period so I tried to figure it out myself. I think it would have been great if I could have someone to teach me like a friend at the start, in this case a consultant as you said.
Hi Angie,
This is great and I agree with the points that you make. It is a one step at a time ordeal that you can only learn fro experience over time. Even though solo traveling is becoming more popular most people still don't solo travel. I sit and observe my surroundings and its quite rare to see obvious tourist on their own, so yes it is indeed something that requires time to learn. Thanks for sharing.
Destination familiarity: If you're traveling to a place you're unfamiliar with or have limited knowledge about, a travel consultant can provide valuable insights, recommend itineraries, and offer guidance on logistics and local customs.
Time constraints: If you have limited time for trip planning and prefer to have someone else take care of the details, a consultant can save you time by organizing flights, accommodations, activities, and transportation arrangements.
Specialized knowledge: If you have specific interests or requirements for your trip, such as adventure activities, cultural experiences, or dietary restrictions, a travel consultant with expertise in those areas can tailor your itinerary accordingly.
Comfort level: If you're feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about traveling alone for the first time, a consultant can offer reassurance, answer your questions, and provide guidance on safety precautions and travel tips.
Hi Ugur,
Yup! These are great suggestions and would be very helpful in those situations, destination familiarity, time constraints, specialized knowledge and comfort level which are all based on someone having actual on the ground experience with. Its a huge investment for someone to obtain all of these things so yes it is very beneficial to consult with someone with this type of knowledge.
Very great insight. Thank you.
I'm curious, for those of you who were just starting out with solo traveling, what resources do you typically use to plan out your trip and understand safety precautions, etc?
Hi Dave,
Hmmm I would say for me when I first started I just went for it meaning I didn't dive too deep into making sure everything made sense. As I became more comfortable then I just began to rely heavily on what I acquired from the previous trip.
As far as safety goes I always look at various news sources for the area I want to go to, to measure what is really going on. I also look for the good news stories as Im aware of how misleading the news can be. I don't have Facebook any longer, but when I did I would find groups for that area and chime in and see what was happening there.
Inter-nations is a great source to use to meet travelers all over the world and they have events etc... This was great for me because I am not necessarily a hostel person so it helps me meet people in a controlled environment.
Back to safety, it really depends on of course where you go and the current state of crime, however to be very honest Ive been to places where protest where happening and not once did I ever experience any violence etc... Use your intuition, be fearless, but also be smart and do enough research until you are comfortable with where you are going.
When I was planning my career sabbatical to take a year off and travel solo, I hired a coach who had done the same thing and helped guide me through the process. She had a Facebook group as well for all of us going through her program at the time so it was also helpful to have like-minded women of all different ages and places going through similar situation and cheering each other on. While I had found most of the information she provided online through blogs; however, the guidance and support from her and the group was the most meaningful part.
Hi Kristen,
This is great to hear as I am also stepping into that space of helping people take sabbaticals. My sweet spot however are month long stays designed to do some reprogramming, organizing and inner reflections for overall clarity. Online platforms have made it much easier for us to find support so good for you on taking that leap!
No I wouldn't. Have the fun of traveling is discovery.
I understand the uncertainties that can arise when embarking on your first solo trip. While hiring a consultant might seem like a viable option for some, it's important to consider what specific needs you have and whether a consultant can fulfill them effectively.
If you're feeling unsure about aspects like safety, itinerary planning, or cultural considerations, consulting with a professional could provide valuable insights and peace of mind. A consultant can offer tailored advice, recommendations, and support based on their expertise and experience, which can be particularly beneficial for first-time solo travelers navigating unfamiliar terrain.
However, it's also worth noting that there are numerous resources available for solo travelers to educate themselves and connect with others without the need for a consultant. Online forums, travel communities, and social media platforms offer opportunities to seek advice, share experiences, and find companionship along the way.