Importance of traveling

So I actually stumbled across this article for research I was doing for a class. Some how I find a way to bring my passion for travel into most of my class assignments. I read this article and found it really interesting. The author made a lot of points that agree a lot with.
One point he makes right int he second paragraph about the connotation of the word "tourist" is huge! When I worked for Contiki that is a fact they have based their branding and marketing efforts on. Their slogan..."be a traveler, not a tourist" appeals to our negative connotation of the word. I think it was smart of them being a tour operator company. Selling tours but not to "tourist".

Another great point is regarding youth travelers (something that hits home): "In large measure, they’re traveling to learn, to grow, to bring back badges of their new found knowledge." I love it!

The name of the article is: Travel, Travel Writing and the Literature of Travel
Check it out!

http://www.vagablogging.net/michael-mewshaw-on-the-importance-of-travel-to-literature.html

ENJOY!