An Introduction 

By Bella Oberlatz

I am originally from the vibrant city of Anchorage, Alaska, where my upbringing revolved around exploration and travel. From an early age, I was fortunate enough to travel all around the world. This early exposure to travel helped shape my love for adventure. Travel and tourism has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, particularly now in the post-COVID era. In the year 2023, my love for travel led me to study abroad in Siena, Italy. While I was abroad, I traveled to nine different countries. Being at my home base in Italy, and then traveling around taught me so much about different cultural mannerisms and practices. It was remarkable to learn how other people around the world live their day to day lives. Engaging with local tour guides during my travels, I had many conversations on how they navigated the most substantial uptick in tourism they have ever witnessed last summer. Throughout this blog, my objective is to illuminate the evolution of tourism and dive into the important ways travel shapes individuals’ lives. My personal experiences not only served as a revelation of my own capabilities but also cultivated a heightened awareness of my surroundings. Observing the diverse rhythms of life across different countries was a valuable experience that will continue to contribute to my broader understanding of the intricacies that define our global community.