It’s been a long couple of years since travel was stopped. Even now travel is in a precarious position as countries around the world constantly revise their border measures and restrictions in light of the changing Covid situation. But in the face of such adversity, travel hasn’t been completely stamped out. In fact, the true nomads have found a way to experience the thrill and adventure of travelling even in the midst of Covid by redefining what travelling meant.
Travelling doesn’t always have to mean going away to faraway exotic places and experiencing foreign cultures. Sometimes the best places are close to home and under the radar. This is exactly the sentiment that gave rise to domestic tourism.
Domestic tourism isn’t by any means a new phenomenon. But when international travel locked down, domestic tourism became the only respite for wayfarers creating a surge of interest for domestic locations where one could relax and holiday. Now that countries are cautiously reopening borders and easing Covid restrictions, domestic tourism may once again fade into the budget option for many travellers as they look to celebrate their newfound freedom with distance. But there are many reasons why domestic tourism shouldn’t be forgotten or looked down on, even with international shores opening.
So hold on to your travel pillow and your planner as I go through the beauty and benefits of domestic tourism.
Domestic Tourism
Domestic travel is termed as travel within one’s own country. Even visitors to a neighbouring state would be classified as domestic tourists. Domestic travel is important for the domestic economy as it feeds money back into the local economy. This helps revitalise the livelihoods of locals, as well as bolsters the local government’s funds using which they can improve infrastructure and amenities for the local community. This is especially important considering the impact Covid-19 has had on people’s employment and financial outlook. Any bit of help that we can extend to those around us will go a long way to helping them through difficult times.
But other than helping the local economy, there are other benefits to travelling domestically.
Save your wallet
Perhaps the most obvious is the impact it has on your wallet. There’s no doubt that international travel can take a chunk out of your finances. This not only applies to foreign countries where the currency is stronger than your local currency or places where the cost of living is much higher. Travelling internationally often involves extra expenses such as immigration fees and visa expenditure, any fees associated with obtaining other necessary documents, tickets for long-haul flights, hotel stays, tour guides, and the more expensive ‘foreign visitor’ tickets for local attractions. And this list doesn’t even include the extra expenses associated with health measures for Covid-19.
When travelling domestically, you automatically save on immigration and visa fees. You can also save on flight tickets if you travel by car or bus, opt for an AirBnB or stay at a friend’s place to save on expensive hotels, forego a tour guide in favour of exploring yourself, and benefit from the discounted locals’ ticket prices for attractions.
Not only can these savings translate to a cheaper overall trip, it could also mean a few extra days enjoying the sunny beaches of California or squeezing in one more museum visit for the family.
Revel in the hyperlocal
Domestic tourism also gives you space to truly enjoy the local. When visiting internationally, most tourists are caught up in what I call ‘the tourist hustle’—visiting all the places catering to tourists. Of course, this makes sense. You can’t go to Paris and not visit the Eiffel tower. But the problem is that these spaces have been developed and maintained by the local government specifically to appeal to tourists, and are often overcrowded. That’s why you often find a McDonalds right next to a major world attraction. Government’s know that some tourists would prefer more globalised, familiar cuisine than their local dishes.
Moreover, the people you run into and interact with during these stays will also likely be other tourists like yourself rather than the locals. By visiting only these spaces that cater to tourists, you miss out on experiencing the true local flavour. Furthermore, if you visit foreign countries with no knowledge of their customs and how to speak their language, you may find yourself experiencing miscommunication with the locals and losing a lot in terms of the depth of experience.
When travelling domestically, however, you can bypass the major tourist attractions and get acquainted with the lesser-known hidden gems. This can help you rediscover your own culture and the beauty of your homeland. Speaking the same language as the locals and not immediately being recognised as a tourist may also go a long way towards gaining the locals’ favour and insights into the best places to visit, from their point of view. This will be an entirely new experience of travelling than the one you will have access to as an international tourist.
Both domestic and international travel have their benefits and unique appeal. Next time you plan a trip, don’t just jump straight to international travel. Take a minute to see if there’s anyplace closer to home you’d like to visit.