A Hongkonger’s Call: Rethink Why We Travel

Today is May 1st—Labour Day. As I write this, Hong Kong is filled with visitors from the Mainland. The airport, hi-trains and tubes are packed, the city is buzzing, and everywhere I turn, I see travellers searching for something out there. I’m not just watching from the sidelines; I’ve been part of this great rush myself. But after years of travel, I see a problem: too many of us are moving, but not truly seeing, learning, or connecting.

We’re restless, sometimes lost, chasing novelty or bragging rights. Are we escaping boredom? Seeking validation? Or just afraid to look inward? It’s time we asked ourselves: What do we actually want from all this movement?

Travel isn’t a contest. It’s not about collecting photos, stamps, or likes. It’s about slowing down, like savouring a good wine—tasting, noticing, understanding. If you rush, you miss the layers that matter.

I’ve made mistakes. I once let a single street musician in London convince me I wasn’t good enough to study music. That was self-doubt, not truth. Don’t shrink yourself when you travel—expand. You’re out there to learn, not to judge yourself or others.

Social media and vanity are traps. If you’re travelling just to impress, you’ll end up empty. The memories that count are private, honest, and sometimes awkward. The best lessons come when you listen, help, and let yourself be changed.

So here’s my challenge: next time you travel, don’t just look outward—look inward, too. Stay curious. Be humble. Speak simply. Let the world teach you, and don’t lose yourself in the process.

Maybe this is just a call in the wilderness. Maybe nothing will change, and most will keep rushing from place to place, missing what matters. But I still want to say these things—not because I expect to move the masses, but because I believe it’s important to pause and reflect, even if only for myself. If these words reach even one person, or simply help me understand my own journey, then they’ve served their purpose.

After all, not every message has to change the world. Sometimes, it’s enough to speak honestly about what you see, what you’ve learned, and what you hope for—even if it’s just an echo in the wilderness.

God bless China and its people.