Personality types: travel types

As a part of my 2015 resolutions, I promised to be more introspective in an effort to be more interesting to both myself and others. I’ve been reading lots of self-awareness articles and finally taken up with some of the books my friends have recommended over the years.

One of my explorations was into the work of Dr. Helen Fisher. She is an American anthropologist and human behaviour researcher who has developed a unique personality questionnaire which broadly segments the population into four major personality groups. None of us are specific “types” but are a unique combination of all four. We all however have a dominant standard and I thought that this thinking would perhaps work towards what sorts of travel would appeal to each of the Personalities!

Here is your link to the personality quiz. Helen Fisher Personality Quiz

 

The Builder: Careful and cautious in approach. Family values and traditions are very important to them. They love to socialize with a close knit group of friends. Organized and methodical. Appreciate a schedule and following a well laid out plan.

The perfect travel styles: This kind of traveller is looking to create lasting memories with family and friends. Multi-generational trips that incorporate everyone. They would love the order and options present on one of the large “destination” cruise ships. They will plan their vacations well in advance and plan ahead for every possible outcome.

The Negotiator: Passionate about learning. Social, amiable, adaptable. Empathetic and diplomatic with others.

The perfect travel styles: The Negotiator is generally driven to travel by a desire to learn something new. Whether it be a culinary school, yoga retreat or historical pilgrimage, the Negotiator traveller sees an outcome to their explorations. Their laid-back attitude to social gatherings allow them to enjoy travelling in groups such as motor coach tours or river cruises. Their inability to make decisive choices however can lead to their “missing the boat” on certain booking deadlines.

The Explorer: Adventure, spontaneity, energy, new, fun and active are but a sampling of the Explorer’s favorite words! Unconstrained by others rules and schedules, the Explorer revels in making his/her own plans and itineraries.

The perfect travel styles: Boredom is the Explorer’s biggest fear therefore large metropolises are a great venue for them to expend their vast energy stores. Limitless opportunities for new experiences are a must. Most Explorers would find it difficult to be on an organized tour or schedule and would prefer a self-drive itinerary with limited pre-advance reservations. Cruising would be limited to chartered sail trips, etc. which would allow for spontaneous itinerary changes.

The Director: Analytical, decisive, focused, and competitive. Driven by the need for knowledge and intellect. Enjoy deep thoughtful conversations. Due to their blunt and direct approaches however, many Directors find it difficult to make “small talk”.

The perfect travel styles: Most Directors have specific interests and excel at certain sports. This traveller will likely enjoy a trip which is deliberate in its itinerary. A Wine Connoisseur’s cycle tour through the Bordeaux region. A golf trip dedicated to celebrated courses. A Scotch & Cigar Aficionado’s convention. Anything which surrounds them with like-minded and informed minds such as their own.

The more you know about yourself and what you desire most from your vacations, the better able you will be in making the right choices.

My results you may ask? Explorer/Director …… some would say “a bossy traveller”? I prefer to call myself “organized”!

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.