Commentary
Yep, The Affluent Can Improve Their Social Status. How? By Traveling
- by Erik Herskind , Columnist, September 26, 2016
Can we really achieve social status just by traveling? It wasn’t that long ago when the well-to-do went straight for purchasing (and showing off) expensive new possessions. Want to get a leg-up on the neighbors? Buy a new Mercedes or Rolex or Gucci purse. But there’s only so many pairs …
I suspect the author is relatively new to the travel indsutry, which I entered in 1968. Upscale vacation travel has always been a "status symbol", which is one reason why many of the affluent have wanted to visit the newest "in" destination and places they have never been before.
I also suspect the author is not familiar with Thomas Stanley's research and his book "The Millionaire Next Door" which demonstrates that few use tangible goods to achieve "social status".