 Do you like travelling? If so, do you like travelling alone or with friends?

Of course I like travelling, since I was a child, to be honest. And that’s quite the reason why I’ve chosen
Mediazione linguistica. I like travelling because I like visiting new places, meeting people while
experiencing some adventure. I’ve never travelled alone so I don’t know how it feels but I do certainly
know how it feels to travel with the people you love, they can be friend or family. Images and activities
will be printed on your memory. Speaking about, I’m organizing a trip with some colleagues from
university. I’ve met them this year, they are amazing. We’re going to Puglia and I’ve never been there,
so you can imagine how excited I am, I just can’t way.
 When you are in a foreign country, what are the main cultural differences you are sensitive to? Can
you provide examples based on your own experience?
Every time that I travel I notice cultural differences, even if I remain in Italy. I mean there are some
thing that changes from city to city. Of course, the bigger is the distance, the bigger are the differences.
I think I’m mainly sensitive to food differences. When I went to England, four years ago, I was shocked
by the breakfast: I was given sausages, eggs, fruit juice, bread and all other things that I would never
expect to eat at 7 in the morning. Something different happens when I went to Spain: the schedules
were completely out of order, people had lunch at 4 p.m. and dinner at 11 p.m. at night when the only
thing that I wanted was my bed.
 In what ways can tourism act as a form of cultural mediation?
Tourism is one of the world’s largest industries so it has a great impact on everyone’s life. It makes
people travel from a part of the world to another, and by doing this it lets people communicate with
each other. People who have different cultures, different languages and traditions are put together and
asked to share something. Tourism gives people a reason not to be overwhelmed by the fear of
diversity but overcome it and get to know it. So, is thanks to tourism practice that people know each
other and share some culture with the other.
 What are your memories of your first trip?
 How would you define “sustainable” tourism?
Sustainable tourism is tourism in its own right just more respectful. Tourism can be very dangerous for
the environment and we know that, now. But in the past, people were not so aware of their pollution
emission, on the damage they would do to nature and to destinations. Nowdays, more and more
airlines are asking their passengers to compensate for their carbon footprint which is the kind of
pollution that we generate when we take a flight. But sustainable tourism can start with the little
things, for example not throwing litter on the ground, preferring public transports to the car, when
possible cycling or even walking.
 How would you describe the “tourist experience” in Milan?
Well, I really don’t know what to say because I live here now but I can think at my first weeks in Milan,
when I arrived at the station and should have been able to find the way to what was to become my
new home. I spent several days trying not to get lost, because the first thing that I’ve noticed was the
size. Literally, Milan is a very big city, lots of places, shops, restaurants. I mean, I come from a little town
so probably I’m not being realistic but this was my impression and I like to think that it is what happen
to every single person that land here. Milan is fashion, modernity, night life, fun but also hard work,
green architecture, television, music, history. I’ve always thought that Milan, among Italian cities, is the
less “Italian” and the more international.
 Do you consider yourself a “tourist”, a “traveler” or both?
First of all I would like to explain the difference between these two words, which apparently mean the
same thing but they do not. A traveler is a person who travels looking for adventure, extraordinary
experiences, and undiscovered places, sometimes dangerous. On the other hand, a tourist is a person
who travels with the purpose of visiting the main sites and attractions of a country, like museums,
lakes, old buildings… As to say that tourism has increasingly increased lately and it is becoming more
and more usual which means less fascinating or attracting. Now, talking about me, I’d cast myself as
both. I mean, in me there’s a common tourist who likes experience a little bit of adventure and
excitement. Then, it depends also on the people you travel with. Usually, if I travel with my family we
go sight-seeing the majority of the time, if I travel with friends we consider more exciting options.
 Are you mostly scared or intrigued by new destinations?
 In your opinion is health insurance needed while travelling?
Of course it is. Personally, I think that health insurance is one the basic elements of a good trip. We
cannot be totally fine if we do not have the certainty that we are kind of protected by an insurance.
Every time we take a flight we are putting our life in danger, a little and ordinary one, but it is still
danger. So as not to worry, health insurance should be not an option but a fundamental element. Lots
of services, airlines tickets include that without asking, others the cheapest ones don’t have it, probably
one on the reason of the small prices.
 In your opinion what is risk-taking behaviour while travelling?
In my opinion every time that we do something out of order we are taking risk. If I put my head out of
the car window while driving, I’m taking a risk. If I’m not wearing my seat belt on flight, I’m taking a risk.
Even if I have a swim in a place where it is forbidden, I’m taking a risk because probably, the water is
not clean or there are animals. I’m not this kind of person, so I’m quite sure that I would never be in
similar situation but it could happen to a friend of mine. Someone who doesn’t mind risks and danger.
 Low cost airlines: what are the advantages and disadvantages?
Everyone likes low cost airlines for a simple reason: they cost less. Personally, I think that they give
poorer people the opportunity to take a break and escape from their ordinary, somehow boring lives.
And this is, I guess, the reason that pushes the majority of people to travel, except for those who need
travelling for work. In the past, there was no possibility for simple citizens who wants to visit another
place and that’s why they were so ignorant. Nowadays, fortunately, everyone, with some restrictions,
can take a flight and go visiting their relatives in Germany, for example. Of course, there is something
hidden behind this all thing. Usually airlines companies put last-minute low cost tickets on the website
but they don’t allow repayment and increase the luggage cost knowing that a person can’t leave
without his stuff. Another disadvantage can be the lack of health insurance or the presence of an easy
one, and people often do not know that. I mean, it’s obvious, there are pros and cons in everything.
 What are your dream destinations and why?
 What is your opinion of social tourism (volunteer camps, etc…)?
Personally, I think it is one of the best way of travelling. I mean, you combine social works with fun and
adventure. I’ve always heard about voluntourism but I’ve never done it, not because I didn’t want to
but just because I’ve never had the chance but I’m quite sure that I will do this kind of experience
sooner or later. I’m really fascinated by the idea of finding a way to do what I like the most, that is
travelling, and do what can be considered a good social action. I could help people and at the same
time enrich my knowledge about the world.
 Discuss “green” tourism
Green tourism is a synonymous for sustainable tourism, meaning a respectful form of tourism. With the
increasing of tourism, people have become more and more uncivilized. They damage the destination,
the place that have welcomed them. On the contrary, a sense of respect and awareness is developing.
There’s an important part of the population who cares about the environment and tries to save it. I
mean, it’s not right going somewhere and ruin that place. More and more airlines companies are asking
their passengers to compensate for their carbon emission and sensitize those travelers who are not.
The carbon footprint is the kind of pollution that we generate when we take a flight.
 What were your best/worst travel experiences?
 Online tourist marketing/ travel booking: what are the advantages and disadvantages?