Authenticity in travel is something concrete, and achievable. This can be confusing for some because ‘authenticity’ can be a confusing term. For example, we often hear it in the context of being an ‘authentic’ person.
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We often wonder what that means. Do we have to be perfect in order to be authentic? Never tell a lie? Always decide to get out of bed at the right time? Or are our flaws authentic too? In that case, do I have to do anything to change and become authentic? Is it more authentic of me not to care about being authentic, or to make a consistent effort to achieve it no matter what?
But authenticity in travel doesn’t share this same set of neuroticism. It’s quite clear how we can differentiate between the two, although thankfully, the line is becoming blurred for us, and more and more respect is being paid to how travel companies are offering their experiences. But why does authenticity even matter? Why not just choose the easiest and most convenient tourism?
Well, we would suggest:
Authenticity in cuisine should be non-negotiable when heading abroad. Of course, it might be a little different when trying to find a place to feed your children, as they might not wish to sample some of the extremes of a culture’s fancy. However, most restaurants will offer child-friendly options, so it’s not as if you need to continually and only visit the international fast food chains. In fact, you don’t need to at all. The cuisine is an extremely wide concept, and of course, segmented between daily meals.
But without sampling some of your chosen cultures cuisines, you may not get the full picture of where you’d headed to. Heading to a comforting noodle bar might be perfect if an area is known for that, for example. But also, don’t limit yourself to simply one culture. For example, Australia is known to have plenty of authentic Asian presence and thus can offer you a full range of valid and beautiful foodstuffs as far as this is concerned. Competent and beautiful cuisine will always be relevant.
Tourism
Tourism is a healthy, welcome consideration for many places and cultures. But it can also go overboard. You never want to be ‘that’ tourist, who views the real residential living area of places around the world as simply something for you to consume and move on. Good tourism can help you enjoy more of a place. Learn something of the culture. Act responsibly, and respect your surroundings. Speak to the locals. This can help their experience of you shine, but also give you a much better and truer understanding of the place you have visited.
It’s Unique
All cultures are unique in their own way. Let’s say that you visit both Greece and Spain in two separate summer vacations. During both vacations, you eat from an international supermarket and restaurant. You visit two summer resorts in both. You lie on two similar beaches. Aside from the languages on the signs around you, and the kind of people that surround you, is there much to truly identify one location from the other here? It’s unlikely. Following authenticity can help each place feel unique.
With these tips, you’re sure to travel wisely.
This was a guest post
