When you see a group of foreigners at the airport or train station, you will find that they are all carrying a large backpack, while when Chinese are mostly dragging a large suitcase. Is it because foreigners are poorer and don't have money to buy suitcases, while Chinese are richer and can buy suitcases at will?
The purpose and method of tourism are different
Different people travel for different purposes and in different ways. Some people travel to relax and enjoy life, they like to go to some comfortable and comfortable places, stay in some high-end hotels, eat some delicious food, and buy some special souvenirs. Such people, they don't need much action, they don't need too much adventure, they just need a relaxing and enjoyable journey, so they are more inclined to choose the way of dragging their suitcases, because this can make them more effortless, more convenient, and more face-saving.
And some people travel to explore the unknown and challenge themselves, they like to go to some new and exciting places, stay in some cheap homestays, eat some authentic food, and experience some local culture. Such people, they need a lot of action, they also need a lot of adventure, they need a journey full of surprises and challenges, so they are more inclined to choose the way of carrying a backpack, because it allows them to be more free, flexible and more fun.
Of course, this is not to say that all foreigners are the latter, all Chinese are the former, this is just a general trend. In fact, in 2019, Chinese outbound tourists spent $1,279 per capita, while U.S. outbound tourists spent $1,524 per capita, indicating that Chinese tourists are not more willing to spend money than American tourists.
In 2020, the most popular tourist destinations for Chinese tourists were Asian countries such as Thailand, Japan, and Vietnam, while the most popular tourist destinations for American tourists were North American and European countries such as Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom, indicating that Chinese tourists are not less exploratory than American tourists, but are more willing to try different cultures. Therefore, the difference in the purpose and method of tourism is not due to economic and cultural differences, but due to differences in personal preferences and Xi.
The travel environment and conditions are different
The environment and conditions of tourism are different in different places. In some places, the tourism infrastructure is relatively perfect, and in some places, the tourism infrastructure is relatively backward. These factors can influence travelers' decision to choose how to travel.
Generally speaking, if the tourist place has perfect infrastructure, convenient transportation, and concentrated attractions, then the way of dragging a suitcase is more appropriate, because this can save time and energy, and can also avoid unnecessary trouble. And if the local infrastructure of the tour is backward, the transportation is difficult, and the attractions are scattered, then the way of carrying a backpack is more suitable, because it can increase flexibility and autonomy, and you can also experience more customs.
For example, if you travel to Europe, you will find that there are high-speed rail and low-cost air connections between the cities there, and the attractions in each city are more concentrated in the old city, so you can easily lug your suitcase from one city to another, and you can easily visit all the attractions within one city.
But if you travel to Africa, you will find that there are no high-speed rail and low-cost air connections between the cities there, and the attractions in each city are relatively scattered in different places, so you need to carry a backpack to get from one city to another, and you also need to carry a backpack to visit different attractions within a city.
Of course, this is not to say that all European cities are suitable for towing boxes, and all African cities are suitable for backpacking, this is just a rough comparison. In fact, in 2020, the most popular tourist destinations in Europe are countries with beautiful natural scenery such as Switzerland, Iceland and Norway, while the most popular tourist destinations in Africa are countries rich in history and culture such as Egypt, Morocco and South Africa, which shows that tourists do not only look at geographical location, but also look at specific tourism resources. Therefore, the difference in tourism environment and conditions is not due to the difference in geography and terrain, but due to the difference in tourism resources and tourism facilities.
Travel mentality and Xi are different
Some people travel to enjoy it, and some people travel to take pictures. These different travel mindsets and Xi will also affect tourists' preferences in choosing the way they travel.
Generally speaking, if tourists are there to enjoy, take pictures, and shop, then they prefer to drag their suitcases because it makes them more comfortable, more worry-free, and more secure. They don't need to worry about the weight and volume of their luggage, nor do they need to worry about the loss and damage of their luggage. They can open their suitcases and take out what they need anytime, anywhere, or they can put in their favorite things whenever and wherever they want.
epilogue
Tourism is a beautiful way of life, it allows us to broaden our horizons, increase our knowledge, relax our minds, and enjoy nature. Different people have different travel purposes and methods, different tourism environments and conditions, and different travel attitudes and Xi. These differences have caused us to choose different ways of traveling when traveling.