Last year was an amazing year of travel, and I know there is a return trip to Africa to come. Still, my travel and adventure fix has not been met. Let’s face it, this can be addictive stuff. I’m itching to get that flight to Nigeria, or simply jump onto the next opportunity that arises.
It has me thinking, is the desire to travel and seek out experiences innate in us all?
The industry of travel
So many of us share this desire to seek out new cultures, experiences, connect with people and discover adventure. And a number have the dollars to support those desires. Tourism Australia highlights the total economic value of Australian domestic tourism in 2009 as $63.3 billion, with 66.1 million overnight trips taken in Australia by Australian residents.
Innate or learned?
Do we come with a desire to explore and travel prewired waiting to be triggered? Or is it totally dependant on our environment. It’s the time old nature V’s nurture, innate V’s leaned debate.
Innate behavior = behaviour determined by the “hard-wiring” of the nervous system. It is usually inflexible, a given stimulus triggering a given response. A response is “built in” in the species and not something that must be acquired by practice.
Learned behavior = behaviour that is more or less permanently altered as a result of the experience of the individual organism.
Obviously there are those who do not have the opportunity to travel. Environment ie. one’s financial situation, may not make travelling an option. Does this mean the individual does not think of it? Does this stop them from dreaming of travel? Or wanting to discover new places? If opportunity arose, would that inbuilt switch flick as they pounce to take advantage of the opportunity?
From a young age, I always wanted to travel. Both my parents travelled extensively in their younger years. I was also lucky enough to do a stint in the UK in the beautiful Lakes District while in high school- this opened my eyes to new worlds and possibilities. I wonder if these where factors in shaping my desire to travel. Or, was simply wired that way?
What do you think? Is the desire to travel and connect learned, or innate in us all?
Your local want-to-be Nigerian Adventurer, Georgia
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Having just been involved (just a few days ago!) with my partner finding and meeting his ‘lost’ uncle (adopted at birth) – now age 78 – I couldn’t believe what I was seeing … ie: not just the obvious – yes he looks like so and so – but the hand gestures, the way he held his head, the way he looked at you, the comments he made, the life he had lived to date (marriage year, children’s births, jobs held, relationships and more) … my reaction was OMG – genetics is amazing!
What an interesting experience to be part of Lyn. Genetics are a fascinating thing indeed and that case most defiantly genes not environment. Those little similarities are fascinating.
What interest me as well is how the exact same pool of genes can go the other way and produce such difference people too. Me and my brother for example, could not be more different in physical appearance, cognitive patterns, attitude the works.
Thanks for sharing your experience. G
Hi there
I just read this article and for me it was definitely not innate. I went on a trip that someone else had planned but couldn’t go on and from that experience i was addicted. Honestly though, through my own volition i doubt that i would have left the suburb i grew up in. 63 countries later and i can say without question it is the best experience you can have, to open yourself to new experiences, cultures and people, it definitely broadens your horizons!!! Pack your backs, throw a dart at a map and GO FOR IT!!