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Should travellers count countries?

Why Counting Countries Doesn’t Make You A Shallow Traveller

Travel Inspiration & Tips |

Do you count countries?

I do and I’m not ashamed to admit it – but it seems some people are. There’s a certain snobbery in the travel community that suggests counting countries is a shallow way of bragging about how much you’ve seen of the world. And while I too stifle a yawn when people say they’ve ‘done’ Australia (what did you do to it, mate?), I don’t see anything wrong with keeping a tally of the places you’ve been.

When did we decide that counting how many countries you’ve visited makes your adventures somehow less authentic? Or less valid? That wanting to measure the teeny tiny percentage you’ve covered in the world, the amount of pins on your world atlas, makes you vapid or less of a ‘real traveller’?

I’m not here to debate the differences between a traveller and a tourist. It’s been done to death. But I am here to argue that there’s nothing wrong with keeping a list of countries you’ve visited. Because that list is something to be damn proud of.

Why I think it’s okay to count countries

Should travellers count countries?

I grew up on an island and it took me a long time to realise that my little rock was only a tiny pebble in one of the world’s seas. That there were entire oceans out there to explore.

I wasn’t raised thinking that travel was a given. I never thought that it was my right to see the world or that going off to spend a year elsewhere was for people like me. That kind of fancy stuff was for the rich kids, the 1%. When I realised that actually, for those of us who are privileged enough to have been born in a first world country, travelling is attainable – it was exhilarating.

And so I count the countries I’ve visited like a greedy child counting the coins in her piggy bank. Each one is a jewel to be taken out sometimes, re-examined carefully, and forever treasured. I don’t curate this list of countries for anyone other than myself, so I don’t see why anyone else should have an opinion on my little hobby.

Is counting countries shallow?

I was once talking with a group of travel bloggers and one girl asked a guy how many countries he’d visited. She wasn’t asking so she could make a judgement, she was just curious. He scoffed at her and said, “Never counted. I don’t think I’ve ever been that bored.”

Cool story bro. How’s the view up there on your high horse?

Counting countries debate

The problem with counting countries

Setting goals to tick countries off my list doesn’t mean that I’ll never return to one that I liked. It doesn’t mean that I visited Benidorm and figure I don’t need to go anywhere else in Spain. I bloody love Spain! I want to see it all!

Some people have a problem with those who hop off a cruise, spend a day in Oslo and come back telling everyone they’ve ‘done’ Norway. I get it. That’s kinda annoying. Did they get lost in the countryside? Did they have the impossible task of finding budget accommodation? Did they actually see anything off the beaten path? Probably not – but you know what? Who are they hurting? So long as that person doesn’t come back and profess to be an expert on the entirety of Norway, I say live and let live.

Exploring the world isn’t a linear journey with a start point and an end destination. We’ll never see all of it, so a list of have-visited and must-visit places isn’t going to win you any awards. But if it makes you feel like you’ve accomplished something, why not? Just because one person chooses to immerse themselves in a foreign culture for a year at a time and another person prefers to hurtle around the world trying to scrape the surface of every little bit of it, does that make either of them better than the other? A better traveller?

Nope.

Why counting countries is a valid way of travel

I first counted how many countries I’d visited when I was 19 using one of those glitchy online tools. I looked at my measly number in dismay and resolved then and there to see more of the world. The site showed me a map with the countries I’d visited in red – and hardly any of the world map that sprawled across the screen before me was red. I had some serious work to do.

solo female travel in Cairo

Since then, I’ve made it my life’s mission to see the world. I went backpacking for three months when I was 21. It was my first foray into the world and the trip that made me realise I actually could travel. It wasn’t just for the rich kids I went to uni with. I could do it too, if I just prioritised.

I ticked off New Zealand and Australia and Thailand and Vietnam and Cambodia. Once I’d graduated, I ticked off a few more. Then I made a crazy move to the Middle East to work for an airline because I knew it would let me travel. During my 14 months there, I ticked off another 11 countries.

My 30th country was Malta. I was 25. The ’30 countries by 30′ goal that had once seemed so out of reach, I’d smashed with five years to spare. So I kept going. I’ve been to 43 countries so far. And you know what? I’m so proud of that. I’ll watch my ‘visited countries’ number rise with glee, because it symbolises a wealth of incredible travel memories and experiences I never believed were for me. Adventures that I made happen.

Maybe if you grew up with the assurance that the world was there for the taking, you find keeping a list of your trips tacky. Me, I find it useful, reassuring and motivating. And I hope the privilege of travel never becomes anything less than the most exciting thing in the world for me.

I’ll leave you with this: there’s more to travel than counting countries. But it’s a good place to start.

 

What’s your opinion? Do you count countries? I’d love to hear what you think!

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Do real travellers count countries?

Comments

  1. This article got me thinking about a conversation I had with myself the other day (because I often have conversations with myself when I want to figure something out; only when I know I’m on my own though, I hasten to add ;-))

    Anyway the conversation was about my competitive nature. We had a new piece of software at work and we were all having a play around trying to figure out how to use it. There was one feature I wanted it to have and the conclusion from the others was that it wasn’t possible to do it. Well, that was a challenge for me and I only went and figured it out, all by myself! But it wasn’t because I wanted to be better than everyone else; it was because I’ve always lacked confidence in my abilities and wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. I wanted something to be proud of.

    Like counting countries, I’ve researched, organised and executed pretty much all the trips I’ve ever been on by myself. I’ve saved the money, I’ve spent the time, I’ve figured stuff out. Why shouldn’t I be proud of that? Why shouldn’t I keep track of my achievements?

    I accept that I’m not going to see all of the world in my lifetime, but it doesn’t stop me wanting to give it a pretty good shot!

    Fantastic, thought-provoking post 🙂

    • That’s such a good point, Kiara! I think it IS a little self-congratulary to be pleased with ourselves purely for having travelled extensively – what’s to be applauded is the amount of planning, saving and work that goes into these trips! Well done for proving yourself right at work, best feeling ever 🙂

  2. I count countries but like you said, I don’t then say I’ve ‘done’ it if I’ve only seen a small part & I am eager to return to countries I love even though that means my number stays still! I’ve been to Spain about 14 times in my life & im sure I’ll visit even more and I still haven’t seen it all!

    Bex

    • Ah definitely, I’ve been to Spain loads of times too and will never feel I don’t need to go back! There are plenty of countries I’ve only managed to see one small part of, and I’d never rule out returning. Thanks for your comment, Bex.

  3. I count the countries I visit! I absolutely love it and I’m not ashamed. As long as I travel with an open mind and the intention of experiencing the place as best I can in the time I have (which I often give a couple weeks to be fair), then thats OK with me. I do DESPISE when people say they’ve “done” a country like it’s some task on a to-do list and it meant nothing to them. That’s when I get annoyed. Otherwise, screw those travel elitists that look down on people for getting excited about what they’ve done and where they’re going!

    • That’s such a good point, it’s a lot to do with your intentions and willingness to explore the local culture and customs. Thanks for your comment 🙂

  4. Yey, I’m with you Danielle 👍🏻 I count mine, have a scratch map and spread sheets too! No snobbery here, I just feel so fortunate to be alive in an era where the world is so accessible and I relish the thought of seeing so much of our wonderful world, so yes, I want to keep a tally. I love updating my map and spreadsheets, it gives me a little thrill and like you, my scratch map highlights just how much more there is to see (one day I might be brave enough to just throw a dart with my eyes shut to pick an adventure!). I’ve visited places I now feel I’ve ‘done’ and others I’ve still to explore further…and that’s the beauty of cruising! I read your post on your first cruise, glad you enjoyed it. So far I’ve visited 51 countries and taken 30 cruises…role on the next adventure 😬 x

    • Wow, a spreadsheet is next level! I’ll have to start one of those 🙂 Glad to hear from someone else who just appreciates every new destination as a big adventure. Yes, I think I’d definitely consider another cruise, perhaps in the summer though. Happy travels 🙂 x

  5. I count countries every now and then because if I don’t, I get all flustered when people ask me how many I’ve been to! Then I start trying to remember them all in my head, and get more confused, and count some twice, but miss others… sitting down and doing it properly is so much better!

  9. Dannielle your take on this topic is so refreshing because most of what I’ve seen is the opposite. People talk about how everyone should be able to travel as they please but in the same moment roll their eyes at the idea of country counting (I’ve done it myself!). It’s all in the delivery, I think, because I love your sentiment that it’s an inspirational thing for you. Cheers!

    • Thank you for such a lovely topic! You’ve hit the nail on the head, this is exactly what leaves a sour taste in my mouth. Each to their own!

  10. I don’t see any problem with counting countries! If it makes someone happy to count the places that they’ve been, then why stop them? I totally get you with those examples with the cruise, like that’s not something I’d count personally as visiting the country. But hey, each to their own I guess!

  11. Agree with this. Can’t handle people who have an issue with counting countries. It is one of many measurements to look at your travels. Doesn’t mean that country is ‘done’ it just means I have been and more than likely will still return. In fact I would happily return to every country I have already been to!

  12. Nothing as annoying as travel snobs, whether it’s the ones who insist they’re travellers not tourists, or the ones who consider only a permanently nomadic lifestyle as real travel… they’re all just playing the one-upmanship game and I have no interest in that. I have sometimes counted countries I visited, but I also lose count regularly as I don’t keep a regular tab on it. BUT I do have a map in my study in which we pin the places we’ve been (and, if we remember, flag the places we’ve not been to yet but have booked a trip to). Like you said, it’s about the personal pleasure and memories that keeping record of where you’ve been evokes.

  13. Love this post! I totally agree, I never thought I’d have the opportunity to see the world either so knowing how many I’ve been to make some happy. I would never say I’d done a country – i have lived in England all my life and there are plenty of places I’ve never been to.

  14. I count countries! Just hit #23! I also count how many books I read in a year, how many IV starts I get at work (I’m a nurse), how many hours of sleep I get a night, maybe I just like tallies and keeping track of things. Anyone who tries to shame travelers for counting is the one being arrogant, in my opinion.

  15. Very nice thought and I agree with you completely. I do count countries I have visited..the world has so much to see and explore and what’s the harm in keeping the point. In fact the fact that I have been able to explore a little bit more on this big planet keeps me going

  16. Thank you for a great post! Just landed in Australia today – my 75th country. I am proud of how hard we work to be open and adventurous to our entire world. Some people count grandkids or cars, or pairs of shoes. I count countries and move my life!

  17. I love this. My number of countries is a testament to my living life to the fullest even though I have a fatal disease.

  18. 37 so far! It’ll be 38 next week! My 30 before Im 30 goal kept me motivated to keep seeing lots of places! And its a much better resolution than many Ive made at NYE! Now its 50 before im 40 cos 40 before im 40 isnt exactly a challenge anymore! (im 31)

  19. This is the beauty of traveling. There are so many ways to do it and ever1 interpretes it differently. As a quantitative person I like to count the countries for my personal keeping. I never mention it to others unless asked. Then again, I’m more of a slow traveler, where I go to one country and fully immerse myself in it i.e. visit a lot if cities/towns/states in that country. So it takes a while b4 I can peel off my map to mark a new country I just visited.
    I think people should be allowed to express their travel escapades however they please. The #countries one has visited is a great accomplishment one should be proud off.

  20. I agree, I see no issue at all with counting countries – the blogger who scoffed at the girl asking the question actually seems more like the sort to consider that he’s ‘done’ a place just by visiting once (why get so huffy about that question otherwise?).

    It’s just a number; there’s no reason for anyone to consider that they’re a better traveller than anyone else based purely on that – maybe someone’s only visited one country, but they’ve been to that country countless times, and experienced it to the fullest with amazing experiences. Does that make them a lesser traveller in someone else’s eyes? Because that’s just silly!

    Great post! 🙂

  21. I counted once but I honestly couldn’t tell you what the number is without sitting down and counting them. It’s not travel snobbery, I’m just lazy. *kanye shrug*

    I think people use travel as such status nowadays that you always get tools who make throwaway comments on their high-horse and it’s so pointless. You do you.

    The only thing I do get weird about is people who have an hour layover in a country and cross it off their list. Like, you spent just over an hour getting off a plane and walking onto another one. That’s *not* seeing a country. Is it just me who feels that?

  22. I count countries too and I don’t see anything wrong with it…I count flights too! I just like to keep a record of where I’ve been etc. I know I’d regret it in the future if I didn’t keep track! I’m doing 40 before 30 and I have one country left!

  24. Sometimes, when I’m bored 😉 Usually while looking at my Tripadvisor profile or looking through my passports. And then I promptly forgot it again – ask me now, and I really have no idea and have to tick it off all over again.

    I don’t mind if others count countries (hopefully not at me) but I honestly simply don’t see the point of tracking it. I’m in it for the stories. Some people do both, I guess, but I really just need the stories to reflect on.

  25. We all have different ways of travelling, and I hate when people think their way is better than the others… I think counting countries makes you bad if you use it to judge people or to show off. I don’t count countries but I don’t mind that people do. Who cares really? As long as it makes you happy and doesn’t hurt anyone 😉 I’d personally hate to have a number as an objective as I’m more a slow traveller. I don’t count my pairs of shoes or anything else really. Except my number of dives, actually! I know some people who find it fun to count the number of countries they’ve been to, or love to scratch an entire country on their map when they’ve been to only one city. Not my way, but I really don’t see why they would be bad travellers!!

  26. Nothing wrong with counting countries, who does it hurt? I probably do it once every five years, promptly forget how many and then need to do it again when the question comes up again. But yeah, don’t tell me you’ve ‘done’ a country!

  27. Aaahhhh I love love love this! I enjoy keeping track of where I’ve been. I have a pinned map, I count my countries, I even write down every town and city I’ve been to! It’s not to be self-congratulatory. It’s a symbol of all the memories I’ve made in those places. I can be a fast traveller where I only scratch the surface, and I can be a slow traveller where I take in everything I can. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with either. The only problem is when people go somewhere just to add another country or to say they’ve been there. When it comes down to bragging rights or pretending to be an expert about a place you’ve been for less than a day, I can see why it does annoy some people. I just don’t get what’s really wrong with it!

  28. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with counting countries but what gets me is when people say “I’ve been there” and act like an expert, but in reality they were there for 3 hours or maybe 24 for a layover. Sorry, doesn’t count! Yes, you added a country to your list. But no, you haven’t “been” there! I laid over in Germany for 2 hours, never left the airport because it took that long to get though customs. I have 2 German stamps in my passport. But have I been to the country? Nope. And I don’t count it either! So I have no problem with people counting countries, just don’t act like you’ve “been” there unless you stayed and did it!

  29. I love this. I count countries, and I have one of those wall maps where you scratch off each country you’ve been to. It’s just FUN, and isn’t that kind of what traveling is about? I’m a big supporter of ethical, mindful travel but I don’t think counting countries necessarily means you aren’t having an authentic experience in each place. As long as nobody’s being a jerk or hurting anybody else, it would be nice if we fellow travelers could just be kind and support each other!

  30. You know, I do not like to generalize but I think we all (travelers) count countries in one way or another. And If you love to travel, you want to get to as many countries as possible since you are curious about those places (even though regions in a single country can be very different and you want to visit those too). Of course, I see how a conversation related to that can turn into something shallow.

  31. Yep! I coust countries too And I don’t think it’s a bad thing. Just like I don’t think it’s a bad thing for people who move overseas, for those who explore slowly, for those who have to travel quickly, etc. I love travel and I didn’t get to do it for about a decade of my life. Now I’m finally getting out there and counting countries makes me happy I think people need to do more of what makes them happy and all these travelers need to stop judging others.

  32. I totally agree with you. I also count the countries I visited and I am not ashamed of it, because sometimes, I also go back, for me counting doesn’t mean that I’ve “done” with the country, because most of the time, I go back, because I loved it so much. For example, Prague, I visited twice, Paris and London, I can’t even remember the number of times I went back.
    So, in conclusion, I don’t care what others think about me, I do what makes me happy, which means, travelling!

  33. I don’t see why anyone cares so much about who is or is not a “real” traveler, or whether or not they count countries. We all should feel blessed and lucky to be able to get around and see as much as the world as possible, even if it’s just to barely scratch the surface.

  34. I don’t keep a list, but I sometimes count up the number only to forget it again 🙂 I like how you compare counting countries to counting coins in your piggybank – that’s super relatable! I think it’s nice sometimes to count it up, just to make myself aware of the privilege that I have experienced so far to be able to go to so many places around the world!

  35. Thinking you’re superior to someone who doesn’t “count countries” seems like the silliest thing in the world to me. We all keep track of different things and to different degrees. I’m Type A all the way, so not only can I tell you how many countries I’ve been to, I can tell you how many airplanes I’ve been on in the past 5 years, how many nights I stayed in hotels, and how much money I’ve spent on travel. Does that make me less of a traveler than someone who doesn’t keep track of any of that? Of course not. I think the only time counting countries could be a negative thing is if you were only visiting somewhere simply to tick it off your countries list. That does feel a little superficial to me, but hey, we all travel for different reasons, so who am I to judge?

  36. This is a really thought provoking post. I’ve met friends that have traveled to so many places that they really don’t know, I mean without sitting down and counting them up.

    I was really keen to tick them off when I first started travelling. Now, I am always so excited to visit a new country, but I am mostly keen to have the best possible experience.

    The one thing I *am* slightly snobby about (although I’m not sure if snobby is the right word) is visiting all the *must see* places at each destination. I used to have FOMO if I didn’t visit each sight that everyone goes to. Now, I am more keen to go for hikes and eat the best food. I only really visit the famous sights if I am sure that they really interest me.