What is the importance of traveling? If you don't travel, why not?

Answer 1

I think traveling is incredibly important. It increases tolerance because you actually meet people from different cultures and learn that they are not so different from you.

Answer 2

It has often been said that travel broadens the mind. Unfortunately, for many people, the exact opposite is true - they take with them all their inbuilt prejudices, bigotry and perceptions - and as a result they condemn that which they are unused to and which they do not understand. This is particularly true of those who take two weeks holiday somewhere and then think they know all about their destination as a result of this, even though their personal experiences might be totally at odds with the experiences with the local inhabitants.

If you spend two weeks clubbing in Ibiza with mostly Western tourists and sleep the hangovers off on the beach each day, how much are you going to really know about the island? If you spend every night on a Greek island getting smashed out of your mind with hundreds of other Brits, what does this teach the locals about us?

I love travelling for many different purposes, but I try and do so with an open mind.

Answer 3

Good question, Adam. As it's already been said, I'll try to avoid the cliché about how it (very definitely) broadens the mind. The fact is that travel literally does expand one's horizons. My world view has been dramatically altered because of my travels overseas (I've actually lived abroad, as well). How could it not?

I think one of the scariest things I learned about our current president before the 2000 elections was that he'd never traveled outside of the US (aside from neighbouring Mexico, apparently). How sad is it to have a world leader -- and the most powerful, at that -- so woefully inexperienced about the diverse cultures of the larger world?

Inward-looking Americans sadden, even frighten me with their self-satisfied smugness, patriotism and extreme ignorance. If a person doesn't leave his or her own shores to see what's out there... How the hell can you expect to grow? to understand? to have any real knowledge or experience of this world? It's sheer madness to stay at home and never venture forth into the real world outside.

Sorry, off on one of my tangents. Travel is exceedingly important to every sentient being, whether they choose to realize it or not. It doesn't have to be first class hotels and resorts. It can be hostels and backpacks. This is NOT a class issue. We've all heard that line about how "I'll never find the time to read all the books I'd like to in my lifetime" (and you can substitute seeing films or anything else apropos to the theme). I would suggest that I will never find the time to travel to all the places I would like to see in this world in my lifetime. But I'll damn well try!

Answer 4

Travelling broadens the mind - it gives you insight and understanding into other cultures which can only be a good thing. I wish that I could travel far more but I can't afford it!

Answer 5

My feelings about the importance of traveling have been beautifully expressed by others:

'"The importance of travel is what you do with it when you get home."

"Travel not to escape, but to add to and transform your soul."

"To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries." Aldous Huxley'

Answerer's site: http://www.thetravelzine.com

Answer 6

It is incredibly important to me, mainly as a change of scenery and leaving behind your responsibilities and worries. These few weeks keeps me going for the rest of the year.

Answer 7

Seeing the world, meeting new people, learning about things you never knew existed, broadening your view of the world, bascially.

Answer 8

To broaden your horizons.

Answer 9

to know me
to know you
to know so many things
that was never there in your mind
to see the impossible
to feel the most tender
to live and to die.

Answer 10

ask some body else.
i think you should travel too, cause i think your fat.......haha just joking