San Francisco: Where Are The Tourists? What Makes A City Travel Worthy?

A Look into What Characteristics Attract Tourists to Cities. 

by Angela Parinas

Graphic by Josie Zevin

I'm from the Bay Area, CA, just an hour from San Francisco. Since coming to Boston, I have heard a plethora of languages and accents as I stroll down Newbury, rush through Commonwealth Ave, or study at the Boston Public Library. I've noticed visitors from London, Spain, Korea, China, and more. While SF attracts its fair share of tourists, I haven't encountered nearly as many in my 19 years living there as I have observed in just two months of living in Boston.

It made me think, with the endless charm of SF, why don't people visit? What makes Boston a tourist hub? What makes any city a tourist attraction? What makes a city travel-worthy? 

It's What's On The Inside That Matters

Don't judge a book by its cover; judge it by its content. The history of a city, its culture, and its spirit are a large part of travel appeal. Look at Rome, a den of history and culture, boasting the Colosseum, the Pantheon, St Peter's Basilica, and a wealth of ruins that have withstood the test of time. The city is overflowing with things to see and learn, it pulls at the strings of curiosity. The appeal is in seeing history you've only heard of in textbooks, walking down streets that have lived centuries, and experiencing life so different from our own.

Touring and living in the unknown and unfamiliar is the heart of travel for many. I don't know a lot of people who plan a trip hoping for the familiarity of their neighborhood Starbucks. But not everyone travels for culture or history; some want a place to relax and chill in front of a picturesque backdrop.

Judging a Book by Its Cover 

There are many cases in which looks shouldn't be the deciding factor. Travel is not one of them—physical appeal matters. Personally, when I'm looking to get out and experience a new place, I'm looking for somewhere where every photo looks like a postcard. Take Palawan (an island in the Philippines), its clear blue waters, dense forests, and white sand beaches are a calendar in the making. Most of the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit the island aren't looking for a cultural experience but a scenic one.

"Safe Travels!"

When I visited Tokyo, I was most excited about the food, the culture, the lights, and especially the FamilyMart. Leaving the city, what stuck with me was the safety. While the crime rate isn't zero, it's still astonishingly low for such a large and booming city. My sister and I could walk the streets at night without the usual paranoia that comes with it– checking over your shoulder, quickening your pace. It felt safer than visiting cities like New York and Manila, and even back home in the Bay. Safety can sometimes be overlooked when planning a trip itinerary, but it can make all the difference for a memorable vacation.

Where To Next? 

Every city is unique, every place has its own charm. What matters is what you're looking for. Whether it be a place to sightsee or relax, there's an abundance of cities waiting for you to explore.