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Are Americans scared to travel abroad?
Over at Nomadic Matt's Travel Site, Matt takes Americans to task for their well-known reluctance to travel abroad, citing the oft-repeated statistic that only 15% of Americans own passports. He attributes the dearth of US travel abroad to a number of factors, including American fear and ignorance of the rest of the world, but I'm not sure these go very far in explaining the real reasons behind the phenomenon. So why don't Americans travel more?
For starters, Americans only receive (or demand) about two weeks off in vacation time per year, compared to a month or more in many European countries. Now, perhaps this is the fault of the American worker, who doesn't value his or her leisure time enough to demand more vacation time, or maybe it all goes back to the famous Puritan work ethic. Either way, I simply don't think it's true that Americans are afraid to travel to, say, Australia or China.
But Matt disagrees: "Americans are just scared of the world. I mean really scared. Maybe even petrified. In this post 9/11 world (even before it), Americans have been taught the world is a big scary place. There are terrorists outside every hotel waiting to kidnap you. People don't like you because you are American. The world is violent. It's poor. It's dirty. It's savage. Only Canada and Europe are O.K. but, if you go there, they will still be rude to you because you are American." This is course the stereotype, but do lots of Americans still feel this way?
So if Americans aren't scared, why don't they travel abroad more? Well, America is also one of the most varied, multi-cultured countries in the world, so perhaps Americans don't feel the need to travel beyond their borders. From natural wonders like the Grand Canyon, the Florida Everglades, and Denali National Park, to vibrant, multi-ethnic cities like New York, Miami, Chicago, and San Francisco, Americans can see a wide range of people and places without ever crossing a national border.
It's entirely natural and expected that Americans don't travel as much as, say, Germans, because (and I hope I'm not stepping on any toes here) America is a larger and more varied place. Add to that the extra cost and time it takes Americans to travel abroad, and I'd say we're getting close to an answer.
Matt also points to cultural ignorance as one of the reasons behind the relative lack of overseas travel. This explanation has special appeal to any American traveler (like myself) who's ever been to Prague only to return and hear the question, "So, did you learn any German?"
Matt calls it cultural ignorance, and he may well be right. But I prefer to think that Americans are simply comfortable with their lives as they are and don't feel the need to travel abroad. And perhaps they've (okay, we've) been chanting "We're number 1!" for so long that they've forgotten what else is out there. Admittedly, my preferred explanations-- comfort and incuriousness-- may not show Americans in the best light, but it's a lot better than calling them scared and culturally ignorant.
Bottom line: I wish my fellow Americans would travel abroad more, but only for the same reasons I wish more Moroccans and Russians and Indians would travel abroad more: because the world is an endlessly interesting, stimulating, and eye-opening place, and seeing more of it only makes us better.
Filed under: United States, Budget Travel
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Robobagins Oct 14th 2008 12:11PM
I think you hit it on the head with how large and varied America is and the extra costs and time it takes to travel abroad. Don't forget how difficult it can be just to get back in once you get out.
About our vacation time, if you have more then 2 weeks and work an average job, it's called being laid off.
Craig Oct 14th 2008 12:26PM
There's one other key aspect of our society, apathy. Americans simply don't care to travel, sometimes not even out of their own state. They feel like what they've got at home is good enough. In general there's a lack of drive to do things "the right way" or to make the most of life in this country.
Craig Oct 14th 2008 12:26PM
There's one other key aspect of our society, apathy. Americans simply don't care to travel, sometimes not even out of their own state. They feel like what they've got at home is good enough. In general there's a lack of drive to do things "the right way" or to make the most of life in this country.
Raider007 Oct 14th 2008 12:49PM
Something I was surprised about when I graduated college and started working, was that I was the only person under 40 years of age in my group of people that actually had a passport...
I've been world traveling since an early age, I just assumed it was normal to leave the country... my girlfriend (aged 31) just got her passport earlier this year only because I asked her to do some traveling with me...
I'm also surprised how little people travel in the US as well...
Nomadic Matt Oct 14th 2008 10:17PM
Thanks for the link.
Yes America is a big place but you can not discount the genuine fear of the world people in the states have. It is simply to pervasive in society today to not be considered a major factor.
As for cultural ignorance, let me clarify a bit: by ignorant, I meant a lack of knowledge or desire to learn not that they were somehow stupid.
Felipe Oct 14th 2008 5:25PM
As an American who lived in Asia for 8 years - and traveled extensively while there, my opinion is based on years of experience dealing with friends in the US who just didn't see themselves traveling overseas that easily.
Especially lately, only those with a big disposable income can afford to travel to Europe. And most of my friends don't think of traveling to Asia or Latin America for fun. I do understand that too...as Latin America is getting less and less safe and Asia is just too strange for most Americans to travel for fun.
Of course I disagree with the Asia part. It is cheaper, safer and as interesting as anywhere in the world. But it is a relatively new travel destination place for Americans. It just isn't on their radar screen.
One more thing. I've been back in the States for the past 5 years and haven't been back overseas. This is because my job hasn't taken me there and the financial crisis has stopped me from planning any big trips, either abroad or domestically.
Jamie Rhein Oct 14th 2008 1:50PM
Aaron, you mention several very plausible reasons. I also think that many Americans whose jobs have taken them elsewhere away from family also divide vacation time between seeing their relatives and staying home to relax or get some job done around the house.
Going to another country also takes extra work and planning.
james Oct 14th 2008 2:51PM
I don't fault a family for loading up the SUV and heading to another part of the country - to me the deep south is a whole 'nother world. And growing up the station wagon trips to Washington DC or the Grand Canyon were great memories.
But that said - I've felt safer on the streets of Mexico City and Buenos Aires than I have in Orlando and New Orleans. There's more good people than bad in the world, and I've met, chatted, and enjoyed my time with many people outside of the U.S. Its definitely worth it.
And as far as time/money? I engineer my life to be frugal yet rewarding. My other half and I share a car, live in a nice but modest size house - and don't pine for every material thing that we see. (ok except for Apple products.) That extra savings helps us travel - and when I look back on my life I'll certainly remember that over a new plasma TV.
james http://www.futuregringo.comJust a quick correction its "Southwest Airlines."
Does it say that people ignored the situation? Or did they not realize what was occuring in that full row. I can't imagine anyone witnessing this and staying silent.
Also remember this was one bizarre incident out of thousands and thousands of daily travelers - so its important to educate and make aware without caving to overzealous fear.
All the best - james
http://www.futuregringo.com
Willy Oct 14th 2008 3:11PM
Lack of vacation time, perception of international travel being expensive, and apathy.
james Oct 14th 2008 4:28PM
oops i accidentally had another comment tagged/pasted onto my original one. Can you remove that last blurb? Its completely off topic -thanks
svenster Oct 14th 2008 5:26PM
Actually, about 25%-30% of US citizens currently have a valid passport. http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2007-04-02-passport-record_N.htm and http://travel.state.gov/passport/services/stats/stats_890.html
Ned Myopus Oct 14th 2008 5:52PM
interesting points all around, including in the comments that have been left so far. my opinion is that the general lack of American overseas travel can be pinned down to two major factors. the first is external cultural ignorance - by this i mean a schooling system that focusses almost entirely on America. because American children aren't exposed to the wider world, they don't grow up with a desire to get out and explore it.
the second reason is the culture of fear that is permeating the post 9/11 world. Just look at films like "Taken" (a recent release with Liam Neeson) the plot is that a young american girl is kidnapped within 15 minutes of being in Paris and sold into the sex-slave-trade. if people assume that is what the wider world is really like, then of course they're going to stay home.
i don't buy that it's a lack of money or time - young backpackers from around the world have been seeing the world for decades. have a look at the currency markets, how is it that young Australians, Canadian, and New Zealanders can see the world - all with a dollar that is much less then the American one? the rest of the world finds the time and the money - why don't Americans.
i also don't really believe that traveling within the US to be a cultural experience - yes there are many amazing things to see and interesting people to meet. but when everyone speaks English, you can still watch the same shows on TV, eat at the same restaurants and use the same currency - I'm sorry but you are not really 'traveling'
overseas travel is choice that for some reason many Americans choose not to pursue. i wish more of them would - i think America, and the world would be a better place if they did.
Joe Oct 15th 2008 5:35AM
I'm someone that lives and travels abroad extensively. When I return to the states I think people are partly amazed that I've been to these places (atleast my friends are) and a lot of envious. Various circumstances means that travel for them is restricted to the western hemisphere if they can get it. Someone in Florida can easily get to the Caribbean and parts of south america. new england is close to canada and california isn't all that difficult for a mexican holiday.
Travelling, with a family, to Japan, Thailand, even Paris can take years of saving. And life's little emergencies can easily kill vacation plans, especially ones that take years to plan. For a lot of families the Americas is good enough. When I was young Disney World was all I really wanted, New York seemed really far and expensive to get to. Once I got to college NYC was a days drive, as was Ohio and Canada.
And I really believe overseas travel is overstated. I'm staying in France and met plenty of people who haven't been outside of the continental Europe. They go where they can afford to go. It's the same problem as in the US. To get to the US takes years of saving.
kathy Oct 15th 2008 8:17AM
I would like to know what Nomadic Matt based his conclusions about American travel on. Ignorance? Not one person I know is ignorant about the rest of the world. My mother is an immigrant, as are many of my friends or their family members. We know what's going on in the world because our extended families are out there. I don't travel as much as I would like to because of money. It costs money to travel, Matt. And when you have a family, it costs lots of money to travel. Many of us have mortgages, and families and bills to pay. My husband is self-employed. We get a full week and maybe a few long weekends for traveling, not enough for a quick jaunt to Europe or whatever the currently chic Asian country is at the moment. Time and money are the two biggest obstacles for Americans in regard to travel. Not ignorance or apathy. We would all love to have the time and money to see the world, but when both are limited, you stay closer to home, where the trips are quicker and often cheaper.
Emland Oct 15th 2008 9:17AM
I'd like to offer another reason/excuse/explanation why perhaps there are fewer Americans abroad. Many of us 40-somethings who have the means (and the passports) to travel are a part of the Sandwich Generation. It takes a lot of logistics and money to get someone to stand in to look after our children if we decide to not take them; and our respective parents who are too old to drive and need assistance with shopping and doctor's visits, etc.
Another reason is that many Americans are small business owners. There is no way my boss is going to be away from this business for two weeks - it would make him crazy. I prefer a three or four day weekend in the mountains that requires less than 4 hours of travel time to flying for 8 to 10 hours then all the airport craziness to boot.
Brian M Oct 15th 2008 9:42AM
I am the stereotype. My wife too. I've been to Mexico and Canada (no more than 50 miles across either boarder) and Kiribati on a cruise where I was married. I've also been to 49 states (heh, missed Kansas). My reasons are lack of interest ~ there is a LOT to see here in the US.. most travel snobs I've met/spoken with shun their own back yard because it's not Impressive enough to brag about. And money is the second major reason ~ I happen to like to explore places that don't cost me thousands of dollars to to Get to. $1,000 US dollars saw my wife and I through 18 National Parks and 9 states just 2 months ago ~ that's all food, lodging and fuel (we went on a motorcycle and stayed with friends). We not only saw new things, but found places that we wanted to explore more thoroughly.
Call them excuses if you like, but we are the stereotype. Though we do own passports and desire to Eventually travel outside the country (we're only 30 and 34, Plenty of time)
[F]oxymoron Oct 18th 2008 1:25PM
Nomadic Matt's article makes many unfounded generalizations. For instance, Nomadic Matt should know that study abroad programs are seriously blossoming here in the states. These statistics provide empirical evidence signifying a move away from that, "cultural ignorance", he speaks of. Interestingly enough, though this is not a justification for it, there are just as many "culturally ignorant" people overseas as there are here. I've meet quite a few on a couple different continents.
When it comes to the desire to travel, what Nomadic Matt fails to recognize is that a nation's people fall along a standard curve. There are those that won't ever travel and there are those that will never stop traveling. I think Nomadic Matt, in large part, is trying to parlay his egalitarian outlook on travel possibilities with the American reality of long work hours, limited vacation time, familial obligations, and high travel costs that constitutes the outlook of most Americans under this curve. And oddly enough, Nomadic Matt has the elitist sensibility to state, “In reality, Americans have an image of the world that is totally divorced from reality.”
rkt Oct 19th 2008 11:11AM
I think it's also important to point out the negative change in the value of the US Dollar to the Euro since 2001. When my husband and I travelled to Italy at Christmastime in 2000 the conversion rate was something like $1.03 for every euro. It went as high as the mid $1.40s this year and is "down" only to about $1.34. That makes it hugely expensive to travel abroad.
Even the Canadian Dollar was more expensive than the dollar (altho it's up to about $1.15 since the economy sunk these past 3 weeks).
The bottom line is that when 9/11 happened unfriendly international investors moved their money out of the US. Since oil profiteers are often middle eastern countries with lots of cash, the euro benefitted tremendously.
Now that the American economy is so severely damaged, those of us who would have spent liquid assets on travel -- because we had high-valued assets (like our homes and our 401k's) making us feel affluent, -- now know that we have to strictly economize for the forseeable future. Or else we'll be suffering in our retirement.
I would love to return to Europe. A week's time is plenty for a European trip, although longer would be nice. I can't do that until the euro is more in parity with the dollar. Maybe that will be a potential upside to the worldwide economic crash???
Rita
DJ Oct 20th 2008 10:47AM
I am currently living in Europe (for employment purposes) and I can't WAIT to get back to the USA. I have lived in Europe off and on for 10 years. Although, it's been a great opportunity to see many countries, there is NO place like home. I only wish I could click my heels together and get there NOW! Obviously, a lot of foreigners feel the same way. Look how many will do just about anything to get to America (does the term "mail order brides" ring a bell?).