Javier Marias on Tourism
Over at the The New Republic Spanish novelist Javier Marias delivers a a short rant on the phenomenon of vulgar tourism.
Needless to say, these tourists are not interested in seeing anything; they are merely concerned with taking stupid photos on their stupid cell phones just so they can come out with the most stupid phrase of our times: "I've been there." The only possible response to such a statement is: "So? So what if you've been there? It is of no consequence whatsoever. Nowadays, even the most idiotic person can go anywhere. Traveling to `must-see' places vulgarizes, rather than enhances, a person's character."As expected the article attracts lots of irate commenters at the bottom.
8 comments:
I think what is even more annoying than the tourists who go 'I've been there', are the people who go '..those flocks of tourists..' I don't understand this scorn - people want to see the world, and are happy to be able to do it. It is a Universal problem that there are too many people wanting to do it but that is not the individual tourist's fault. Yes, agreed the crowd-less places are more magical, but the elitism of 'Only I should be allowed to go there, and no one else.' is laughable. There are still many many places left undiscovered if someone is interested in really being removed from the crowd. And the tourists do pay up for being in any city - if that's what it takes to make them the rightful entrants. He may have a point, but he has attached too much scorn in it to keep it meaningful
This might have something to do with being on the receiving end of tourism. Marias lives in Madrid. He is probably just pissed off at his City being transformed into one of those theme parks..
It is not really about the crowd. it is more about tourists behaving as "visitors" or "guests" as he says... showing genuine sympathy, curiosity and respect for the place. Instead we have this "I've been there" mentality and everything treated as just another consumable product of the leisure industry.
Pretty amusing article. I wonder how Marias knows about all the awful things that have happened to Europe's great cities unless he's visited them pretty frequently himself... Of course, he wouldn't be a mere tourist, he would try to fit in.
It is not hard to believe actually. He actually might indeed have invited himself in the homes of local people in all those cities. he is quite a charmer. His book All Souls is all about how charming and irresistible he is! :)
Did not have to read the article.
Nowadays, even the most idiotic person can go anywhere.
So? So what?
the idea that tourism is not just any other leisure activity, but something special, has faded. It has become just another commodity you can buy in the market. that's what he is trying to point at.
As I said, havent read and shall not. The general spanish output rate is to produce one santayana for every half a billion midfielders. So, we can wait.
But basics : difference is between a tour and a travel. Not sure if you have got it.
as mentioned in the post, it is about vulgar tourism... It is not meant to offend genuine travellers.
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