Travel is often associated with famous monuments, beautiful photographs and places that appear repeatedly on social media. But sometimes, the memory that stays with us has nothing to do with a landmark. It could be a quiet morning, a conversation with a local or a cup of coffee in a small café.
On World Tourism Day, actor Arhaan Khan shared his thoughts on what makes travel meaningful. For him, a destination becomes memorable not simply because of what it looks like, but because of how it makes a traveller feel.
Arhaan says he particularly enjoys colder destinations, especially places surrounded by mountains and beautiful landscapes. A quiet café, a little chill in the air and a cup of coffee can be enough to make a trip special for him.
His view points to something many travellers may have experienced themselves: the best memory from a holiday is not always the place we planned to see. Sometimes, it is the small moment we never planned for.
According to Arhaan, landmarks, architecture and history are certainly important parts of tourism. However, he believes the people, culture and everyday life of a destination are what allow travellers to form a deeper connection with it.
This can change the way we look at travelling. Instead of moving from one famous attraction to another simply to complete a checklist, travellers can spend more time observing how people live, trying local food, visiting small businesses and understanding the culture around them.
A destination is not just a location on a map. It is also someone’s home, workplace and community.
This idea becomes particularly important when talking about responsible tourism. Arhaan believes travellers should remember that they are guests when they enter a new destination.
He encourages tourists to respect local culture and the environment, avoid littering and not damage places simply for photographs. Supporting local cafés, guides, artisans, shops and small communities can also help ensure that tourism benefits the people who live there.
Social media has changed the way people discover destinations. A short video or photograph can introduce millions of people to a town, café or landscape that they may never have known about otherwise.
But there is another side to this convenience.
When every trip is planned around the perfect photograph, travellers can sometimes become more focused on showing the experience than actually living it.
Arhaan believes travel should also include moments that remain private. Sitting quietly with a coffee, watching people go about their daily lives or simply enjoying a landscape without taking out a phone can become more valuable than a photograph shared online.
Perhaps that is a useful thought for World Tourism Day.
Travel does not always have to be about seeing more. Sometimes, it is about noticing more.
The landmark may become a photograph, but the smell of a local café, a friendly conversation, a cold morning or a quiet walk can become the memory that stays with us for years.
And perhaps that is where the real soul of a destination is found.
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