On Tourism
I realize that many topics are complex. And tourism is one of them. A lot of this plays into why I'm so interested in learning Japanese, rather than simply visiting and sticking to the main tourist destinations. What is interesting though, is seeing how things are playing out.
On the one hand, the cities and countries do invite this. They often want the tourism and the money that goes with it.
On the other hand, many tourists show up with no knowledge of the local language or customs. And many wouldn't respect them even if they did. They feel that their choice to go there and spend their money there entitles them to do as they want.
I personally don't agree with that attitude. But, there is a subtle problem; no one wants to visit Barrie.
Barrie is a city in Ontario, an hour north of Toronto and probably about an 1-2 hours south of cottage country. It has all of the amenities. But, it has no big ticket items. You can find a few small cities with points of interest. But, even to the locals, if you're going to go somewhere in Ontario, it probably isn't Barrie. It is almost definitely Toronto. Or, if it is more convenient for you, maybe Ottawa.
And this is a compounded problem with other destinations. Amsterdam is no different. There is one major tourist hub. Japan is a lot like Ontario in that there are 2 capitals effectively; Osaka and Tokyo. But, most tourists spend their time in Tokyo.
So, it is no wonder that locals and local businesses are getting fed up. These places are popular to the point where most businesses can't even serve the number of tourists they get already. And, the tourists come in such numbers, and with such little concern for the place they've come to that they are driving off the locals.
From the perspective of a business owner, you can afford to offend a few tourists. In fact, you could probably outright reject them in some of these cities by the thousands and not be done with telling off even a tenth of them.
Basically, they don't need that volume of tourism. They don't need your money. Heck, they don't even want it anymore.
Barrie is a lovely town though. It has a beautiful beach, lots of amenities, relative safety and best of all... room to accommodate tourists. If you know the language and the customs and how to find what you want in such a city... you could probably have one amazing time there.
And that is why part of my desires to travel to Japan also include learning the language. I want to find the Barrie(s) of Japan.
I have no particular interest in simply seeing beautiful Japanese gardens or eating amazing food. I can do that just about anywhere. I could probably find a decent approximation of those things within an hours drive.
No, I want to travel to experience another culture. I won't get that by acting like a Westerner with no appreciation for the culture of the language around me in Osaka or Tokyo.
I still want to visit these places as well. But, I know well enough that knowing the language will open up locations and options that won't be available to other tourists.
The bottom line is; money isn't king. Sure, in places that are still building a reputation or struggling, you can get away with a lot more. But that is because in those places people aren't looking for the money, but rather the safety it brings. But, once they have enough to secure their future? They could care less. And most of those hidden gems are already at or near the tipping point.
Personally, even if all you want to see is the tourist sites in Tokyo, learning the language and the customs will still enhance the trip a lot more. It will likely also ease a lot of stress, both for you and those around you.
人に迷惑かけてはいけない
On the one hand, the cities and countries do invite this. They often want the tourism and the money that goes with it.
On the other hand, many tourists show up with no knowledge of the local language or customs. And many wouldn't respect them even if they did. They feel that their choice to go there and spend their money there entitles them to do as they want.
I personally don't agree with that attitude. But, there is a subtle problem; no one wants to visit Barrie.
Barrie is a city in Ontario, an hour north of Toronto and probably about an 1-2 hours south of cottage country. It has all of the amenities. But, it has no big ticket items. You can find a few small cities with points of interest. But, even to the locals, if you're going to go somewhere in Ontario, it probably isn't Barrie. It is almost definitely Toronto. Or, if it is more convenient for you, maybe Ottawa.
And this is a compounded problem with other destinations. Amsterdam is no different. There is one major tourist hub. Japan is a lot like Ontario in that there are 2 capitals effectively; Osaka and Tokyo. But, most tourists spend their time in Tokyo.
So, it is no wonder that locals and local businesses are getting fed up. These places are popular to the point where most businesses can't even serve the number of tourists they get already. And, the tourists come in such numbers, and with such little concern for the place they've come to that they are driving off the locals.
From the perspective of a business owner, you can afford to offend a few tourists. In fact, you could probably outright reject them in some of these cities by the thousands and not be done with telling off even a tenth of them.
Basically, they don't need that volume of tourism. They don't need your money. Heck, they don't even want it anymore.
Barrie is a lovely town though. It has a beautiful beach, lots of amenities, relative safety and best of all... room to accommodate tourists. If you know the language and the customs and how to find what you want in such a city... you could probably have one amazing time there.
And that is why part of my desires to travel to Japan also include learning the language. I want to find the Barrie(s) of Japan.
I have no particular interest in simply seeing beautiful Japanese gardens or eating amazing food. I can do that just about anywhere. I could probably find a decent approximation of those things within an hours drive.
No, I want to travel to experience another culture. I won't get that by acting like a Westerner with no appreciation for the culture of the language around me in Osaka or Tokyo.
I still want to visit these places as well. But, I know well enough that knowing the language will open up locations and options that won't be available to other tourists.
The bottom line is; money isn't king. Sure, in places that are still building a reputation or struggling, you can get away with a lot more. But that is because in those places people aren't looking for the money, but rather the safety it brings. But, once they have enough to secure their future? They could care less. And most of those hidden gems are already at or near the tipping point.
Personally, even if all you want to see is the tourist sites in Tokyo, learning the language and the customs will still enhance the trip a lot more. It will likely also ease a lot of stress, both for you and those around you.
人に迷惑かけてはいけない
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