For years there has been a huge amount of kudos attached to being a 'traveller' and loss of face if you are termed 'tourist' but is there really any difference?
According to legend 'travellers' are more in tune with the country, stay in more authentic places, discover places off the beaten track and generally are more sensitive sort of visitor interested in more than just a suntan or photo of a lion.
But is this really true?
There is no differentiation on the stamp in your passport - I'm yet to see any visa say 'traveller' rather than tourist?
There are numerous backpacker locations around the world where the locals gather to watch the antics of 'travellers' - and not in a positive way!
Is 'raving' on a tropical beach any more travelling that taking advantage of happy hour in Magaluf?
Does a 2 week trip really mean that you can't see any of the 'real' country?
Even the claim of an 'authentic experience' seems slightly jaded when a large number of 'travellers' follow the same routes around countries staying in places set up for them and experiencing culture 'lite'.

Are 'tourists' all bad though?
Well - not really if you think about it and ask populations who have benefitted from their spending. Yes - of course it's easy to find areas that have been changed forever by tourism and not always for the better but it's equally simple to find places that have seen benefits from 'tourists' and whole economies that rely hugely on the revenue generated from 'mainstream' tourism.

More importantly does it really matter what you're called?
Surely the most important thing is how you travel and the respect you pay to local customs and culture rather than how long you stay for and whether you are on a budget or a luxury trip. 'Travellers' quibbling over 1 rupee for an Indian rickshaw can be just as painful and damaging to communities long term as the 'tourist' in the fenced in resort.

So - what do you think? Are you a traveller / a tourist or perhaps we should use a new word that covers everyone who cares passionately about where the visit - A VISITOR!!!?