I've used brifters, bar ends, and downtube shifters. Right now my touring bike is set up with bar end for the rear and downtube for the front. I use bar end shifters for touring because they can be changed to friction mode. If my rear derailleur gets bent, or if I have to source a replacement cassette with a different number of cogs, bar ends let me carry on cycling.
I think a lot of tourers have the same preference. I know I do. Just one less potential issue on the road. I finally switched to complete friction once my MicroShift bar ends indexing function quit working. I switched them over to friction, and liked it enough I bought friction only shifters from Rivendell. Of course I grew up with friction only, so it is something I am very well accustomed to.