The resentment of the locals grows noticeably when the “tourist” arrives.
This is quite understandable, the 14 days of “free time” (+/-) that are available to those hungry for relaxation must be used intensively and often (we also live in a “tourist area”, albeit rather on the outskirts) you can’t get rid of the impression that tourists think they are renting the hotel room together with the whole place where they are spending their holiday. As a result, there is plenty of potential for conflict.
This is exacerbated by the fact that social skills “on both sides” have declined massively in recent years (decades), mainly “thanks” to the digital world, from which the mostly careless, “mutual” behavior practiced there is increasingly spilling over into the “analogue” world.
Arguments are no longer exchanged or discussed in the event of differences of opinion … people immediately act in extremes without listening.
I notice in myself that I am currently – also because of my own experiences – clearly leaning towards the “non-tourists”, e.g. avoiding my favorite village Arillas on the Greek island of Corfu when it is “peak tourist season” and I also prefer to stay in our hidden side valley in the Austrian Alps when the “recreation-addicts” storm our beautiful country in the summer and winter months.
But now there is a point of contact between the worlds where I can immerse myself on a regular basis. I accompany people through Altpernstein Castle, which towers high above the Upper Austrian Krems Valley, “locals” as well as “tourists”, a colorful mix … and I do it with the SAME joy. A tour group was recently at the castle and the tour guide gave a speech during the tour in which he shared a wonderful parable with us: he compared pilgrims (a person who goes abroad) and tourists, went into the peculiarities and recommended that tourists should be more pilgrims.
Yes, the pilgrim was indeed the first tourist in history and I would also like to point out that the probable founder of the original Pernstein Castle was probably called “Pilgrim” – a “traveller”.
The true pilgrim hikes from place to place, usually being at one with himself and in harmony with his environment. He experiences it on several levels, but does not use it. In view of these words, a little more pilgrimage would do the tourist a world of good … and also for the locals, when they interact with this “new” species of tourist.
Collective deceleration and more environmental awareness would be the result of this encounter and a genuine togetherness between – well – “host” and “guest” could develop, perhaps even a friendship … and I know this from my own personal experience.
Not to mention – or better to mention – that a new kind of social competence will emerge. It starts within us – whether we are “tourists”, “locals” … or simply “human beings”!
© Wolfgang Lugmayr 2024-07-18