backpackers definition tourism

Backpacking is very cost-friendly, and you can experience the great outdoors in ways that most people will never experience. That, of course, comes with some of the greatest stories you can tell and pictures you can show your friends and family.

Every trip has a lot of incredible moments, sights and conversations. Lots of websites will give you plenty of info on how to backpack, but the absolute best way is to go backpacking yourself by starting with a simple day trip somewhere close to home. Before going on your first overnight, you should take the time to properly prepare yourself before going. Do some research on where you'll be going, what trails you'll be taking to get there, make a solid packing-list and research the weather. I highly recommend giving it a try and seeing how great it is for yourself!

A tent glows under a night sky full of stars.

Backpacking means everything you need on your adventure is in a pack on your back. That includes clothes, food, personals and of course camping gear. Backpacking also means that there is at least one overnight in the plan, but can stretch to days or even weeks. Backpacking adventures rarely follow local trails and are more off-the-beaten-path. Pre-planning is a must; knowing the route and camping location before the leaving makes the experience much more enjoyable.

How is backpacking different than Hiking? Some think hiking is more of a stroll on local trails at a leisurely pace where you hardly break a sweat but still get outdoors and experience nature. Well, not so fast. I see hiking as a shorter version of Backpacking without the overnight camping. This means a lot less gear is needed and instead of a large backpack, a smaller daypack can be used. Very often on multi-day trips, the backpacker will bring along a daypack and go out on short treks centered around camp.

Chris Sgaraglino

I’d like to join Bryn Mawr Outdoors Club’s spring break backpacking trip

WOW! I’m just gonna start my adventure as a backpacker in a very sooner time! Let’s explore the world!

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Backpackers vs Tourists: Is There a Difference?

All along the backpacker trail, you hear it. The talk. The chatter. The snarls. The attitude. The condescension.

That’s right.

I’m talking about how backpackers feel about “tourists.”

Backpackers view tourists as non-travelers. Tourists are people who just visit a place for pictures, hotels, and cheesy restaurants. They stick to the beaten path, take big bus tours, and never bother to interact with the locals.

Backpackers, on the other hand, consider themselves as real travelers – they go places for cultural experiences, to meet the locals, and to immerse themselves in faraway lands. They are out there to learn about the world and discover unknown secrets and connections.

Or, at least, that’s what they think they are doing.

However, while some travelers do that, a backpacker is usually a young traveler on a long trip who sleeps in hostels, cooks his/her own meals, lives cheap, and parties hard. Sure, they take local transport but they often just hang out with other travelers.

I always found this distinction a bit ironic since so many backpackers, while talking down about “tourists,” carry their Lonely Planet, visit the same cities and stay at the same hostels, and stick to the same path that was laid out before them by the backpackers who came before.

While I consider myself part of the backpacker crowd ( though more of a nomad ), I don’t subscribe to the line of thought that backpackers are better than tourists. When I hear this argument, I shake my head and find joy in pointing out the hypocrisy of some naive fellow traveler.

But let’s be clear.

“Tourists” do stick out like sore thumbs. They couldn’t hide if they tried. Many make no attempt to learn cultural norms, blend in, or respect the local way of life. These are the tourists that people speak about.

And I can’t stand them either — those tourists who come to a place, make no effort to interact with the locals and stay in the resort their whole vacation. What’s the point of coming to a new country if you’re never really going to see it?

To me, that’s not traveling. (Though, I do appreciate that they at least made the effort to leave their country. Baby steps, right?)

But how is that different than a backpacker who just parties in Amsterdam and visits the Van Gogh museum? How is that different than someone who goes to Thailand parties at the Full Moon Party and never explores somewhere “off the beaten path”? Or spends a month in a country and never learns the language? That’s not being a traveler. That’s not making an effort to learn about the people or place.

We are all tourists .

We all stick out sometimes.

And you know what? There’s nothing wrong with that!

We all get an “A” for effort. What is ironic is that instead of trying to promote better travel – travel that gets people of all travel styles to interact with the locals – backpackers claim superiority because they do it cheaper and for a longer amount of time. They get off the beaten path, they say, and live like the locals do.

Except they don’t.

Experiencing a new culture means staying there long enough to get into the flow of life. Most backpackers don’t do that. They simply go to the newest party location and call it off-the-beaten-path until someone (else) with a Lonely Planet arrives. They eat at street stalls and claim they are just like the locals, yet they never learn the language and only eat food that looks safe.

I often get asked where to go to see the “real” Thailand , and I always say that there is no such thing – every part is equally real.

“ Well, we want to live like a local ,” they respond.

“ Get an apartment and get a job ” is my response.

If you want to really get to know a place, stay there for longer than a few days.

I like to call this “The Beach Syndrome” – this idea that traveling cheap is better and more authentic (because the locals are glad you are saving your money and not giving it to them) and that there is someplace off the beaten path that is the true, authentic part of a country.

Backpackers think just like the characters in the book The Beach did – that there is some travel ideal out there. This authentic, mysterious place that supposedly exists where everything is real and you’re the only stranger there and everyone is friendly and you melt right into local life. What a place that would be! Too bad it doesn’t exist.

It’s a myth.

It’s “The Beach Syndrome.”

I’m not a huge fan of package tours ( though I still do go on tours ) but that doesn’t mean I’m better than the people that go on them. No type of travel is really better than any other travel. What matters is that we move past the backpacker/tourist debate and realize that the important part is that we travel .

We not only go for pleasure and pictures but to also learn about another culture and break out of our comfort zones — even if just a bit.

Isn’t that the point of why we go anyway?

A rose by any other name is still a rose.

And, no matter what we call ourselves, we are really all just tourists.

And it’s time we stop acting like we’re not and pretending one type of traveler is better than another. It’s a stupid distinction. Let’s all get over ourselves.  

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.  

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Backpacker conceptualisation criteria: discussion, clarification and operationalisation proposal

International Journal of Tourism Cities

ISSN : 2056-5607

Article publication date: 20 February 2023

Issue publication date: 16 March 2023

Backpackers can be found all over the world, especially in urban areas where the main enclaves are established. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the operationalisation of the term “backpacker” and present a proposal to conceptualise backpackers and backpackers’ segments based on the operational criteria available in literature to avoid incongruities among researchers.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a literature review, this study provides a critical review of the backpacker conceptualisation and operationalisation using a methodology divided into three phases, a quantitative analysis based on the Scopus database and a bibliometric analysis coupled with a manual analysis of documents (content analysis).

Substantial heterogeneity and complexity regarding the conceptualisation of backpacker tourism and its diversified subsegments were evident. For this reason, this paper argues that backpacker tourism can and should continue to be analysed from different perspectives, suitably framed in the theoretical instrument constructed to identify and distinguish the different subsegments through its operationalisation features.

Originality/value

This study provides a practical contribution to all researchers interested in the topic of backpackers proposing the operationalisation of the term backpacker and it subsegments to avoid disparate results and deviations. This contribution will enable the correct and objective assessment of the operationalisation of this concept for researchers, managers and destination management organisations, identifying exactly what phenomenon is to be studied.

• Content analysis

Bibliometric analysis

• Backpackers
• Definitional criteria
• Operationalisation of the backpacker concept

Martins, M.R. and Costa, R.A. (2023), "Backpacker conceptualisation criteria: discussion, clarification and operationalisation proposal", International Journal of Tourism Cities , Vol. 9 No. 1, pp. 220-243. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJTC-07-2022-0175

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2023, Márcio Ribeiro Martins and Rui Augusto Costa.

Published by Emerald Publishing Limited. This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial & non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this licence may be seen at http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode .

Introduction

The economic and social relevance of backpacker tourism is highly recognised (Hampton & Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 2013; Martins & Costa, 2017 ), especially in urban areas where the establishment of a network of hostels and other support services gave rise to the emergence of enclaves at the intersections of the main backpacker routes. Urban areas are effective gateways, providing transport, accommodation, food, among others, and as multi-attraction destinations, they offer a diverse set of attractions playing a crucial role for backpackers.

Often framed within the scope of youth tourism, it has been analysed from different perspectives. Paris and Teye (2010) emphasise the market perspective, based on quantitative methodologies, and the anthropological perspective, based on qualitative methodologies of an ethnographic nature. Chen and Huang (2019) refer that the focus of research has been on the development of backpacker tourism and its impacts and on topics inherent to backpacker tourists. The growing body of research also reflects the increasing diversity of geographical and cultural areas in which it has been conducted, contributing to the emergence of a variety of terms that have been in use since Cohen's (1972) “drifters” and Vogt's (1976) “wanderers” phenomena.

Backpackers can give significant contributions to tourism destinations ( Martins & Costa, 2017 ), namely, urban destinations. They do not buy luxury products, spend more on local goods and services (e.g. catering, transport and accommodation) ( Iaquinto, 2015 ; Ooi & Laing, 2010 ) foster the emergence of local and small firms ( Hampton, 1998 ; Scheyvens, 2002 ) because business investments and the workers’ qualifications are not very high (Hamzah & Hampton & Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, 2013; Ooi & Laing, 2010 ; Rogerson, 2011 ). As their owners are locals, backpacker tourism also contributes to capital leakage reduction, to the mitigation of poverty and for the increase of induced effects ( Dayour et al. 2016 ; Hampton, 1998 ), particularly in cities of developing countries. Destination management organisations (DMOs) should have a focus on backpacker tourism because it can also give a relevant contribution to a more sustainable tourism destination ( Agyeiwaah et al.2020 ; Iaquinto, 2015 ) promoting, among others, the tourist loyalty due to the greater probability of backpackers to repeat the visit ( Rogerson, 2011 ).

The increased interest in this market segment has led to an increase in scientific production, and consequently, some subsegments have been identified reflecting the diversity and heterogeneity of backpackers. This situation seems to have made the operationalisation of the term backpacker even more difficult; the construction of a definition whose operational criteria have made it unfeasible to include all the subsegments. As Scherer (2005 , p. 696) highlight, “one of the major drawbacks of social science research is the need to resort to everyday language concepts in both theory and empirical investigation that led to the difficulty of obtaining widespread consensus in the scientific community”. The weak conceptualisation of the term backpacker leads to inconsistencies among researchers, an idea already advocated by Sørensen (2003 , p. 852) when he mentioned that “Backpackers cannot be defined by means of unambiguous criteria”. In line with the works of Dayour et al. (2017) and O’ Regan (2018) , the need to find a definition of the term backpacker whose distinctive criteria are accepted by most of the scientific community has become evident. It is intended with this work to fill a gap in the literature, suggesting an operationalisation process of the term backpacker and its subsegments. This procedure should be understood as a process that allows the identification of how a term can be measured and clearly distinguishable, ensuring consistency in the interpretation and collection of information.

The main objective is to discuss and present a theoretical instrument for operationalising the concept of backpacker and its subsegments based on operational criteria that exist in the literature.

replication of procedures in future scientific studies;

simplifying the collaborative research in the field and between different disciplines;

a more precise and standardised collection of statistical information on backpacker tourism, making it possible to correctly count tourists from this market segment; and

a correct and objective assessment of its impact on destinations, particularly urban destinations, where this type of tourism has the most significant impact.

Backpackers: origin and evolution to diverse subsegments

The historical evolution of backpacker tourism originates in the Grand Tour of the 17th and 18th centuries ( Adler, 1985 ) and in the drifter phenomenon described by Cohen (1972) when he referred to the existence of institutionalised and non-institutionalised tourists ( Ateljevic & Doorne, 2004 ; Reichel et al. Reichel et al., 2007 ). Since Cohen’s (1972) “drifter” and Vogt’s (1976) “wanderers” phenomena, the concept of backpacker has distanced itself from the notion of “hippy” and has become redundant to classify younger travellers ( O’ Regan, 2018 ). The concept “long-term budget travellers” proposed by Riley (1988) classifies this type of tourist as single, educated, belonging to the European middle class and travelling alone on a low budget. However, the term most commonly used to describe this segment of tourist is now “backpackers” ( Loker-Murphy & Pearce, 1995 ; Pearce, 1990 ; Richards & Wilson, 2004 ), often defined as tourists travelling with backpacks on their backs, on a small daily budget ( Hampton & Hamzah, 2010 ) and for extended periods of time, predominantly young, with a preference for budget accommodation and informal, flexible itineraries ( Pearce, 1990 ).

predominantly young travellers;

more likely to stay in budget accommodation;

with an emphasis on meeting other travellers;

with independent and flexible travel arrangements;

with a preference for longer holidays; and

participation in informal activities.

However, despite its conceptualization being broadly consensual, this definition does not present unambiguous and strict criteria that can be generalised and operationalised at an international level. For example, what age range should be considered to frame the backpacker market? What is the meaning of longer holidays? And it is also relevant to note that several subsegments have been identified ( Martins and Costa (2017) . “Operational definitions allow for generalized replication of procedures and data to the extent that they specify the operations used in the production and measurement of phenomena” ( Ribes-Iñesta, 2003 , p. 124).

Lack of consensus and inconsistencies between different researchers due to the lack of a uniform criterion for operationalising the definition of backpacker was emphasised by Dayour et al. (2017) . While some authors use, for example age or motivations for travelling as a distinguishing criterion ( Pearce, 1990 ; Pearce & Foster, 2007 ; Sørensen, 2003 ), others select the characteristics of the trip, such as the type of accommodation or the duration of the trip ( Adam, 2015 ; Pearce, 1990 ), belonging to a virtual community ( O’Reilly, 2006 ; Paris, 2012 ), enclaves ( Sørensen, 2003 ), self-recognition as backpackers ( Reichel et al., 2007 ) or the economic criterion ( O’Reilly, 2006 ). Each of these criteria has been used individually, such as the option for hostels or low-cost accommodation ( Larsen et al., Larsen et al., 2011 ; Martins et al., Martins et al., 2018 ), belonging to a virtual community ( Chen et al., 2014 ) or combined with others to include a greater diversity of backpackers in the studies. Several authors, however, still do not objectively identify the selection methodology of their object of study and that “may imply that some studies do not actually study backpackers” ( Dayour et al., 2017 , p. 2).

Literature reveal that it is not easy to objectively define a complex phenomenon that has evolved over decades, and that has changed from being a marginal phenomenon to an attractive mode of travel for millions of young people around the world and is not limited to a group of travellers with only a small budget to travel on.

Methodology

The literature review ( Figure 1 ) was based on a search of scientific documents available on the Scopus platform concerning backpacker tourism (First stage). A meta-analysis was conducted and bibliometric methods were used (Second stage) of citation and co-citation analysis allowing a systematic, transparent and reproducible review process ( Zupic & Čater, 2015 ). Bibliometric networks were also combined with manual analysis of documents (Third stage) ( Agapito, 2020 ).

First stage of analysis

The research was carried out using the Scopus database because apart from being recognised as the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature, “[offering] a more comprehensive view of scientific production worldwide in the areas of science, technology, medicine, social sciences, Arts and Humanities” ( Elsevier, 2014 , p. 1), it has greater coverage of tourism journals. The search and code scheme used was “tourism” and “backpacker” in the title, abstract and keywords ( Figure 1 ). Data collection was carried out on 16 February 2022 and considered all articles published until the end of 2021. During the first phase, all indexed documents were taken into consideration ( n = 263), a quantitative and descriptive analysis was carried out regarding the number of documents published per year, the identification of the most representative journals and authors and the respective countries of institution affiliation. All documents that were not written in English ( n = 7), and all books and book chapters ( n = 37) were subsequently excluded, as it was considered that the articles that have been published are representative of the knowledge produced on backpacker tourism. This selection resulted in 219 articles.

Second stage of analysis

In the next phase, the database of selected articles was downloaded (exported) from the Scopus platform in comma separated values format (Excel), and all information that could be exported was selected. This database was subsequently analysed using the VOSViewer software, a program developed by van Eck and Waltman (2010) used for constructing and viewing bibliometric maps that has been used by several disciplinary areas, including for some tourism research ( Agapito, 2020 ; Serrano et al., Serrano et al., 2019 ; Veríssimo et al., Veríssimo et al., 2020 ). Figure 2 summarises the maps created using this software.

The creation of co-citation maps allows the existing relationship between pairs of units that appear together in reference lists (co-cited) to be analysed, and according to Benckendorff and Zehrer (2013 , p. 127), there is a likelihood that they have something in common. A Temporal Citation network was produced to identify and explore the dynamics of the field and the diversification of operationalisation criteria used around the globe.

Third stage of analysis

In a third phase, the titles, abstracts and keywords of the 219 articles were analysed by the authors. All documents that were not available as a full-text document in Scopus ( n = 23) were searched for in the Google search engine, and all those that were not available for download ( n = 22) were excluded. The same process was carried out in relation to any documents that were duplicated ( n = 1) and articles that were not related to the adopted code scheme ( n = 55). Finally, the selected articles ( n = 141) were examined by the two authors and interpreted manually through a content analysis. To improve the interrater reliability, the analysis took into consideration the fact that the articles analysed focussed on backpacker tourists and the description of the method of operationalisation of the backpacker concept adopted by the researchers.

First stage – quantitative analysis

A search in the Scopus database returned 263 documents, of which 77.2% ( n = 203) correspond to scientific articles, concentrated in two major areas of knowledge: Social Sciences (168 documents) and Business, Management and Accounting (168 documents). An increase in the number of publications on backpacker tourism over the years is thus verified.

The analysis of Figure 3 allows us to verify the weight of the Asia Pacific region in the production of research on backpacker tourism, largely due to the growing number of Chinese researchers who have focussed on this topic.

Second stage – bibliometric analysis

In Figure 4 , corresponding to the temporal network of nationalities of the researchers’ affiliation institution, the relation of items is determined based on the number of times they are mutually cited. The temporal network was generated to explore the dynamics of the field based on the average number of publications per year.

The largest cluster is dominated by Israel and New Zealand and according to the number of documents, Australia, the UK, New Zealand and Israel are the world leaders on backpacker tourism in line with the national affiliation of seminal authors. It is also evident here that in the past 10 years, researchers from several other countries have shown an interest in backpacker tourism, diversifying the research conducted in different regions of the world. The focus is no longer centred only on European and North American backpackers but also on Asian backpackers. The emergence of researchers’ interest from other European countries, such as Portugal, Spain, Hungary, Italy, Austria and Croatia, so far, on the fringes of the backpacker tourism topic, is relevant. However, the fact that Pearce’s (1990) definition remains an international reference, this spatial diffusion seems to have contributed to the increase and dispersion of new socio-cultural contexts that may have led to a certain unrooting of the backpacker label, as defended by O’Regan (2021) and to the diversification of criteria used in the operationalisation of the term backpacker.

In co-citation network map ( Figure 5 ), the relation of items (cited authors) considers the number of times authors are cited together. The strength of the co-citation links by authors is evidenced by the size of the circles. The 19 authors who provided more knowledgeable to the scientific documents on backpacker tourism and respective connections, constitute two distinct clusters (green and red). In the centre of the map, in the red cluster, is Erik Cohen due to his important contribution with “Toward a Sociology of International Tourism” published in 1972 where a typology of tourism (institutionalised and non-institutionalised) is presented and discussed. This is followed by the article “Nomads from Affluence: Notes on the Phenomenon of Drifter Tourism” published in 1973 where drifters are analysed, described as more adventurous travellers who distance themselves not only from the usual tourist flows but also from the way of life in their home country.

The red cluster is still dominated by a number of authors whose seminal research offers, not only, a market perspective about backpacker tourism in Australia ( Loker-Murphy, 1997 ; Loker-Murphy & Pearce, 1995 ; Murphy, 2001 ; Pearce, 1990 ) with the backpacker definition presented by Pearce (1990) informing the major part of this co-citation network but also by a group of authors with a focus on qualitative studies with an ethnographic perspective ( Elsrud , 1998, 2001 ; Maoz , 2006, 2007 ; Uriely et al., 2002 ).

John Urry (1992) is a key reference in the green cluster with his work related to the tourist gaze and with mobility, both important issues discussed in some books on backpackers ( Hannam & Ateljevic, 2007 ; Hannam & Diekmann, 2010 ; Richards & Wilson, 2004 ). The economic relevance of backpacker tourism is also an eminent topic dominated by Hampton’s contribution (1998, 2013) and Scheyvens (2002) . Together with Hannam and Diekmann (2010) , Code Paris (2012) also examine the emergence of a flashpacker’s sub-culture as a subsegment of backpackers – one of the main deviations from the traditional concept of backpackers presented in scientific literature.

Third stage – content analysis

The diversity of characteristics associated with backpackers also results in a wide variety of criteria for the operationalisation of the backpacker concept, reflecting in part, the progressive diversity and heterogeneity of this market segment associated with younger tourists. Dayour et al. (2017 , p. 2) summarise the criteria used by several researchers in the operationalisation of the term, highlighting the age, the motivations, the characteristics of the trip, among others. Based on the literature and content review, some of the main characteristics of backpackers identified and used by several researchers are briefly presented below.

It is important to note that many authors responsible for publishing articles on backpackers do not mention in their work how the term backpacker was operationalised ( Table 1 ). Next, we will investigate more detail at each of these criteria.

The sociodemographic characteristics are mainly related to age , which has been used by several researchers with different weights and measures ( Table 2 ). The increase in average life expectancy and consequent ageing of the population, especially in more developed countries, call into question the establishment of an age limit up to which a traveller can be classified as a backpacker, so excluding all travellers aged over 40 may contribute to a partial and incomplete analysis of backpacker tourism. Although useful in distinguishing some sub-segments, age, as an isolated criterion, does not seem to be the most appropriate in operationalising the backpacker segment, as although the majority is predominantly young, there is no defined age range for travelling backpacker style.

Travel characteristics.

The duration of the stay or the trip – does not seem to be a criterion that facilitates the operationalisation of the term backpacker ( Table 3 ). Sørensen (2003) had already mentioned that the duration of the trip contributes to disqualifying most current backpackers by calling into question the ability to represent all backpackers according to Riley’s (1998) proposal that frames “budget travellers” among those who extend their trip beyond that of a cyclical holiday. On the other hand, the expression “extended holiday” presented in Pearce (1990) definition of a backpacker also does not specify its duration.

However, as the majority of the backpackers (long-term) usually travel for periods of more than one week, one can consider trips shorter than one week as specific to the sub-segments, namely, short-term backpackers, flashpackers, party backpackers and study backpackers.

Hostels are inexpensive types of accommodation that offer guests the possibility of reserving a bed in rooms of various types (shared dorms, private rooms…) and are sought by travellers with smaller travel budgets. As they are more informal and adventurous, and take into account the common areas (living rooms, kitchen, bar, etc.), they offer better opportunities for guests to socialise ( Oliveira-Brochado & Gameiro, 2013 ), thus constituting the most visible, material and symbolic part of the backpacker culture ( O’Regan, 2010 ). Therefore, several researchers have used the hostels as the main criterion for identifying backpackers, however, their option is also not without criticism. As they are more economical types of accommodation, as with the recent capsule hotels ( Chiang, 2018 ), they attract various types of customers, so not all guests are effectively backpackers. In Australia, where the backpacker market is more mature, official authorities such as Tourism Research Australia (2009) and Tourism Victoria (2009) have adopted hostel or other low-cost accommodation to distinguish backpackers from other tourists. However, the choice of hostel may lead to other budget travellers not being identified in the research and some of those included in the study group not considering themselves as belonging to that group.

As meeting places, hostels also tend to be concentrated in some neighbourhoods that lie at the intersections of the main backpacker routes giving rise to the emergence of enclaves , territories distinct from the local environment with well-defined limits, where accommodation and other support services are concentrated, serve for backpackers to experience the comfort of home and the company of tourists with similar interests. Like in hostels, enclaves, frequented predominantly by backpackers, facilitate interaction with other travellers from different backgrounds contributing to the creation of a sense of togetherness or group. However, they are not very effective in terms of operationalising the backpacker concept, as their use would lead to the exclusion of all backpackers staying in hostels located outside the enclaves. While most enclaves are frequented by backpackers, it is also true that many backpackers do not exclusively frequent enclaves.

Some researchers use virtual communities associated with backpacker tourists to conduct their studies, identifying and surveying their members on several websites. Consisting mostly of younger travellers, the backpacker segment uses the internet intensively, both to plan their trips, consulting blogs and online sites to book flights or accommodation, and to keep in touch with friends and family. Some virtual communities include a diverse set of texts that describe in detail the journeys and adventures experienced by numerous travellers. Yet, despite being a simpler, cheaper and faster method of information collection, the appropriate identification of the target audience raises some doubts based on the membership of virtual communities (blogs, social networks and websites).

Self-recognition or self-identification as a backpacker is another criterion used to identify and operationalise the backpacker concept. The proportion of travellers who recognise themselves as backpackers’ changes with the country of origin and those who have more experience travelling are more likely to consider themselves as backpackers or travellers. There is a set of values and meanings attributed to backpackers that gives it a social identity, therefore, there needs to be a sense of belonging to the backpacker community for a traveller to recognise themselves as such. Although their motivations and risk perception are not very different from conventional tourists, it is common for backpackers not to recognise themselves as tourists to which they attribute negative connotations. The term backpacker is much more than a category of tourists, but also a social identity with its unique culture and values.

Although the use of the backpack as a distinctive criterion in identifying backpackers raises many doubts, the choice of luggage has been used in some studies ( Chen et al., Chen et al., 2014 ; Zhang et al., Zhang et al., 2018 ). While most travellers travelling with a backpack on their back can be considered backpackers, many travellers opt for a smaller, stiffer suitcase to carry their belongings on shorter trips, as is the case for short-term backpackers. Increasing limitations on luggage weights imposed by low-cost airlines have led to significant changes in the types of luggage used. Although the concept backpacker is etymologically linked to the use of a backpack, nowadays backpacking can include travellers without a backpack.

Another central aspect of backpacker tourism that has been identified as an important distinguishing feature is the economic criterion . Besides being a motivation to backpacking, the existence of a reduced daily budget allows people to travel for longer periods of time leading to the choice of a cheaper means of transport and accommodation and more competitively priced tourist destinations. However, the criterion linked to the daily budget is also not very objective, as it is very dependent on the cost of living of the cities and countries visited. Additionally, there are sub-segments with greater purchasing power, such as Flashpackers and Holiday Backpackers, usually aged over 35, who seek more comfort and privacy, preferring hostels with single, double or other more expensive types of accommodation. A higher budget also leads to the choice of a private means of transport, such as rented cars and participation in more exclusive activities. However, the main difficulty of operationalisation lies in the fact that there is no criterion of a universal quantitative nature that can be used to distinguish the different sub-segments.

The motivation to travel can be described as a broad concept, which encompasses biological, psychological and social factors that activate, guide and maintain behaviour in different degrees of intensity. The literature review focussing on backpackers’ motivations to travel has revealed the existence of a large and diverse set of motivations ( Table 4 ) that reflect the complexity and heterogeneity of this market segment in line with the work of Hsu et al. (2017) and Oliveira-Brochado and Gameiro (2013) who state that there is an emerging diversity and growing heterogeneity in the preferences of backpackers. As Loker-Murphy (1997) emphasises, backpackers do not travel only to meet other people and to have a good time.

Nonetheless as observed before, in terms of risk perception and motivations, there are not many differences between backpackers and mainstream tourists, so the use of motivations as a distinguishing criterion does not seem to be the most appropriate, making its operationalisation almost impossible. However, if we consider the existence of several sub-segments of backpackers, some motivations could be used facilitating tourism marketing as well as the operationalisation of the several sub-segments, as can be seen in Table 5 .

Many authors combined several criteria introducing greater complexity to the conceptualization of the term backpacker. As backpacker tourism has been recognised as an important segment on the rise, it was considered relevant to identify and distinguish several sub-segments through the summary table ( Table 5 ) where the main criteria used to distinguish the different subsegments and/or typologies of backpackers identified in the literature was compiled. The main distinctive features of the different subsegments or typologies of backpackers are listed (with black circles). This is a theoretical–practical instrument, based on the available scientific and technical literature, which contributes to addressing the current need to reconceptualise the backpacker concept, its sub-segments and its operationalisation throughout the world.

As several sub-segments share several characteristics, marked with a white circle, it is the presence of the distinctive characteristics (black circles) that enables the identification of each sub-segment. The proposed sub-segmentation of backpackers through more objective operational criteria contributes to a better distinction between backpackers and other travellers who also frequent hostels and other low-cost accommodation.

Definitional criteria proposal

The conceptual tool ( Table 5 ) presented in this work allows us to objectively distinguish all sub-segments and/or typologies of backpackers. Furthermore, if the aim of a study focussed on the topic of backpackers is not related to the need to distinguish sub-segments, the criterion of accommodation (hostel) seems to be the most suitable.

Hostel as an operational criterion

The adoption of the hostel as an operational criterion is considered the most adequate as it meets a greater variety of criteria usually associated with backpacker tourists ( Figure 6 ).

As backpackers usually try to travel for as long as possible, it is essential to travel on a low daily budget. As hostels are types of accommodation with a reduced cost per bed/night, they contribute to the existence of a lower daily travel budget ( economic criterion ). Assuming the existence of sub-segments of backpackers who have more generous travel budgets at their disposal, and in the absence of limits which facilitate their operationalisation, it is suggested that in studies which collect primary data, the backpackers with a “higher daily budget” correspond to those who indicate spending an amount equal or higher than the 3rd quartile of the surveyed sample per day. In the accommodation selection, the criterion “superior room, single or double”, as it is more expensive, also meets the flashpackers’ characteristics and can be used as a distinctive criterion.

The sociodemographic criterion is related to age and academic qualifications. However, few studies identify academic qualifications as an operational criterion. Age is used by several researchers with different weights and measures. Although backpackers are described as predominantly young and there is no evidence that supports an age limit, age criterion can be used to distinguish sub-segments.

The characteristics of the trip criterion should be related to the duration of the trip, means of transport and number of travellers. Depending on the subsegment analysed these characteristics vary accordingly.

As observed in this research, some of the main motivations for backpackers to travel is the search for greater social interaction with emphasis on meeting new people, developing and strengthening relationships and associating with other travellers. Hostels facilitate and promote contact and conviviality among their guests, either in the shared common spaces, such as the lounge, bar or kitchen, or in the shared rooms (dormitories).

Enclaves are associated with a higher concentration of hostels and support services to their clients (affordable bars and restaurants, transport and entertainment companies, among others) in certain areas of the destinations, so the choice of hostel as operational criterion, is in line with several characteristics associated with backpackers and the enclaves frequented.

Practically all hostels provide free internet access and sometimes computers and/or other internet access devices. Internet access is essential for backpackers to keep in touch with friends, family and online communities/backpacker groups. By providing these services, hostels facilitate more active virtual communities and help to promote word-of-mouth and the transmission of other electronic information.

Self-identification is commonly used by several researchers in backpackers’ conceptualisation. There is a set of values and meanings attributed to backpackers that provide them with a social identity and hostels provide an important contribution to the sense of belonging to the backpacker community. The use of a backpack is also a distinctive criterion used to identify backpackers.

Conclusion and future research agenda

Backpackers’ motivations to travel are not homogeneous, ranging from to explore other cultures, to increase their knowledge or to relax mentally ( Table 4 ). Literature on backpacker tourism highlight the search for remote places (urban and rural) by travelling off the beaten track. However, urban enclaves are more likely to be service centres or transit points where backpackers can organise their travels and make purchases ( Cohen, 2004 ).

Today, many backpackers travel for reasons that are different to those of their predecessors of the well-known “hippie trail”. The conceptual framework presented was fundamental to support later research and theoretical trajectories concerning backpacker tourism. However, the diversity and heterogeneity of the term backpacker and the lack of consensus and inconsistencies between researchers shows the importance of creating a uniform criterion for the operationalisation of the backpacker term. Our study tracks how backpacker tourism and mainly backpackers have been studied in scientific publications by using evaluative techniques of bibliometric data which allowed to know the evolution of citations and co-citations networks publications across different authors, countries and time. However, its operationalisation is not totally clear.

The theoretical instrument proposed in this research facilitate the identification of backpacker subsegments. But, if the research aim is not related to the need to distinguish sub-segments, the criterion of accommodation (hostel), supported by seven other criteria that are related and interconnected, seems to be the most suitable.

Theoretical and practical implication

Backpackers give significant contributions to tourism and particularly urban destinations, promoting the tourist loyalty. DMOs should have a focus on backpacker tourism because it can give a relevant contribution to a more sustainable tourism destination with backpackers spending more on local goods and services and fostering the emergence of local and small firms. This research contributes to the operationalisation of the backpacker concept for future scientific studies through the theoretical instrument constructed to identify and distinguish the different subsegments. It allows the standardisation in the collection of statistical information on backpacker tourism and promote a clarification in the collaborative research between different disciplines. The DMOs and other stakeholders can also target their marketing and advertising campaigns by providing a set of specific and appropriate services for each backpacker sub-segment and assess its impact on destinations, namely in urban areas.

Future research agenda

Focusing on the future main trends, economic growth will lead to an expansion of the middle class and consequently the number of people travelling will increase. This question is inseparable and inevitable for urban tourism research.

The expansion of the middle class will thus provide continued growth of youth tourism. These tourists have a higher probability to visit the same destination again (loyalty), stay for longer periods of time and consequently spend more money and urban destinations with more youth tourists are more resilient, recovering more quickly from potential crises.

The current demographic dynamic is another factor to take into account when reflecting on the future of urban tourism. The decrease in birth rates and the growing increase in average life expectancy has led the most developed countries to a progressive ageing of the population contributing to the changing profile of the urban tourist.

Documents by region and country

Temporal citation network (average number of publications per year)

Co-citation (cited authors) network. The minimum number of a citation is 50

Backpackers’ conceptualisation

Backpacker operational criteria

Main distinctive features (black circles) are highlighted in grey; (a) A long-term trip is one that is longer than 7 days (Richards, 2015 )

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Further reading

Hampton , M. P. ( 2013 ). Backpacker Tourism and Economic Development: Perspectives from the Less Developed World , Routledge Taylor & Francis Group (Ed), Routledge , London , doi: 10.1016/S0160-7383(98)00021-8 .

Reichel , A. , Fuchs , G. , & Uriely , N. ( 2009 ). Israeli backpackers. The role of destination choice . Annals of Tourism Research , 36 ( 2 ), 222 – 246 , doi: 10.1016/j.annals.2008.11.002 .

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of the research unit on Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policy (UIDB/04058/2020) + (UIDP/04058/2020), funded by national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal.

Corresponding author

About the authors.

Márcio Ribeiro Martins is based at the Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal and Centre for Tourism Research, Development and Innovation (CITUR), Guarda, Portugal.

Rui Augusto Costa is based at the Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal and GOVCOPP Research Unit, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.

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Backpacker Tourism Faces a Changing Landscape Post-Pandemic

Rashaad Jorden, Skift

February 23rd, 2021 at 1:00 AM EST

While some popular backpacker destinations will target high-end visitors after the pandemic, this category of outdoor tourism is not dead. Far from it, as backpacker tourism will evolve and attract new markets.

Rashaad Jorden

For decades, hordes of travelers have explored vast sections of the globe with a backpack in tow. Whether they were hitting up the tried and true Banana Pancake Trail in Southeast Asia or memorably losing a journal during those travels , many people have viewed those trips as seminal moments in their lives.

But backpacker tourism faces an uncertain post-pandemic future. Several destinations, like New Zealand, that are popular with backpackers may focus more on attracting high-end visitors.

Moreover, the death of backpacker tourism has already been foreshadowed as the cheap flights many young travelers have relied on may become less frequent as airlines seek to recoup massive losses they’ve suffered.

But is such fear warranted? Maybe not. Outdoor tourism remains a popular option for travelers looking for socially distanced activities.

“I don’t think that anything will ‘kill off’ youth tourism,” said Wendy Morrill, the research and education manager at the WYSE Travel Confederation. “And I say, ‘youth tourism’ as ‘backpacker tourism’ as what I consider Australia and New Zealand’s branding/labeling of the segment of travelers who are 30 to 35 years old or younger and utilize their working holidays schemes,” she added.

Milford Sound, Fiordland, New Zealand. Credit: Will Patino.

Nikki Scott seconds Morrill’s opinion. “I think that backpacking will certainly change after the pandemic,” noted the creator of Southeast Asia Backpacker , an online community geared toward travelers to the region. “But backpacker tourism could be one form of tourism that bounces back quicker than others.”

How Backpacking Will Change

So if Covid-19 doesn’t kill backpacker tourism, how might it change?

Strangely enough, the pandemic might help create more backpackers. “Once travel is allowed again, people will be so desperate to travel that there will be a travel boom!” predicted Scott. “Many people have realized during this time that they can do their jobs effectively from home using only their laptops, so why not do them from the road?”

She added with “working from home” being a modern norm, more travelers will likely become backpackers and digital nomads, the latter which Morrill said “a lot of people are scrambling to understand” if that market brings any value.

But regardless of whether more backpackers become digital nomads or not, Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) should have a vested interest in ensuring the long-term viability of backpacker tourism (Tourism Research Australia classifies a backpacker as a person “who spends at least one night in either backpacker or hostel accommodation”).

For one, the youth travel market is incredibly lucrative. According to the Backpacker Youth Adventure Tourism Association , an advocacy group for the backpacking and adventure travel industry in New Zealand, the youth market (defined by Rebecca Annan, the general manager of the BYATA, as travelers between 18 and 35 years old) is worth $1.5 billion annually to the country. Meanwhile, across the Tasman Sea, the 2.4 million youth visitors to Australia in 2019 represented 45 percent of all visitor spend in the country, roughly $20 billion.

Enhancing Communities

Furthermore, backpacker tourism can enhance local communities. Research has revealed that it generates less economic leakage than customary mass tourism as businesses geared toward backpackers tend to be locally owned, thus keeping the profits in the country.

“The backpacker tourism industry is definitely high net worth to New Zealand as it’s not just one dimensional,” BYATA’s Annan noted. “It affects our whole economy as a number of small-to-medium sized businesses also make their living by people traveling, purchasing and staying throughout New Zealand.”

But before blessing locations financially, backpackers will have to overcome some hurdles before hitting the road. First, getting vaccinated. “Travelers will very likely have to be vaccinated for Covid-19 before they fly and they will have to have travel insurance that covers Covid-19,” Southeast Asia Backpacker’s Scott noted. In addition, she feels that backpackers won’t be able to cross international borders as easily as they could pre-pandemic.

But globe-trotting may not be as challenging as it seems. “I think that even if flights from Europe to Southeast Asia doubled in price (which they show no sign of doing at the moment), I think that backpackers would still fly West to East regularly,” predicted Scott. “Perhaps, it would mean that backpackers are forced to plan longer trips in order to make the most of their expensive plane ticket. However, I do not think that the price will put them off traveling to Asia in the first place.”

She added that those prospective backpackers will simply stay at home a few more months and save money for their travels, which they’ll need because “travel insurance, flights, and Covid tests will make travel more expensive than it used to be. Because of this, perhaps hostels and tours will become more expensive as local tour operators and hostels will not be able to rely on the numbers like they could in the old days.”

Making Plans if Western Backpackers Don’t Return

If Western backpackers don’t visit Southeast Asia in large numbers as they did pre-pandemic, destination marketing organizations in the region need not despair as they can target Chinese and Japanese backpackers. “I think that there will be a push by governments and tourism boards to attract these types of backpackers before the return of the Western backpackers,” Scott foresees. “This will be encouraged via travel bubbles and special visa arrangements. As most of Asia seems to have much better control of the pandemic than Europe or the USA, I think we will see Asian countries teaming up to promote tourism between themselves, especially countries that have managed to get Covid cases down to practically zero.”

During the pandemic, destination marketers have been able to go back to the drawing board—New Zealand being one of them. “Recently, Tourism New Zealand redefined its focus to ensure that tourism enriches our home and people via four well-beings—nature, economy, society and culture,” said a representative of the agency.

Nugget Point, Caitlins, Otago in New Zealand. Credit: Miles Holden.

Likewise, a similar shift will probably come to Southeast Asia. “During lockdowns across the world, many famous tourist destinations became empty and many locals saw the benefit of fewer people traipsing around local beauty spots. Many tourism departments are promoting sustainable tourism and focusing on the revival of natural wonders,” Scott said.

Such a development could kill one of the major events on backpackers’ itineraries: the Full Moon Party. “I can’t speak for the islanders of Koh Phangan,” Scott acknowledged, “But perhaps once the pandemic is over, they will be looking to replace the Full Moon Party (which has attracted thousands of possibly alcohol and drug fueled travelers to the island) with a more nourishing form of tourism that brings fewer people paying more money to stay for longer.”

Meanwhile, back in New Zealand, “our tourism stakeholders are looking at other ways to improve the general backpacker experience,” noted Annan. “From a cultural and sustainable perspective, they are looking at their product mix, providing a better and more rewarding experience.”

Part of ensuring a better experience for everyone is nipping problems in the bud. New Zealand Tourism Minister Stuart Nash raised a fuss when he announced his desire to ban the lease of vans lacking toilet facilities to international visitors, saying “If the driver or the passenger wants to go to the toilet—we all know examples of this—they pull over to the road and they shit in our waterways.”

However, Annan doesn’t seem worried about the issue. “The point we need to make here is about educating people in New Zealand who use campers, and people who visit [the country] and travel around in and hire campers. Our industry currently regulates camper vans, so we are the ones who can make the change that’s needed. The removal of campers that don’t have bathrooms isn’t going to necessarily fix the problem. Let’s educate, regulate, provide facilities, so in that way, we’re actually containing the problem.”

Reconsidering the Budget Traveler

Tourism stakeholders should also reevaluate preconceived notions of the youth travel market. “I think countries like Australia and New Zealand actually have made an effort to make the tourism industry understand what you may think of as a budget traveler—particularly in the age category of under 35—is actually not a budget traveler,” Morrill said. “These could be people who are coming for long stays and they’re spending quite a lot of money compared to people in Europe making weekend trips or a one-week stay.”

Having a decent amount of money separates today’s backpackers from those of yesteryear. “For many years now, backpackers have not been the cheapskate, traveling on a shoestring hippie stereotype of years ago,” Scott said. “Backpackers these days have money, and something that many other types of travelers don’t have: time. Unlike your average tourist, backpackers have the time to put up with a two-week quarantine in order to enter a country and stay there for three months.”

Travelers being able to spend a long time in a certain destination creates new avenues for destination marketing organizations. “New Zealand is trying to connect the international student market with the tourism industry,” Morrill said. “You have these visitors who are there for a long time to experience the destination and to learn new things. They were working on this before the pandemic.” A strategy that she said is totally different from that of places like Amsterdam, where school groups taking short trips have been considered a nuisance.

Nuisance … sometimes appropriate to describe backpackers as such. But they have been missed in many locations. Not to worry, they’ll be back.

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Photo credit: A visitor hikes in the Denali National Park & Preserve, Alaska. Kent Miller / Flickr/GPA Archive

08 Sep What Does “Backpacking” the World Mean and Why Do It?

“Backpacking.” 

You’ve probably heard this term thrown around by someone coming back from a gap year talking about how their life is changed and urging you to do it too (guilty lol). But you’re either not really sure what the hell backpacking even entails, or you think you know what it looks like based on a lot of popular assumptions. But those assumptions are not always true, and based on them you might have already decided it’s not for you but – you might be completely missing out!

So let’s break it down: what backpacking means, what people think it looks like, what it is today, and why some people (and maybe you someday) do it!

What does Backpacking mean?

Well, to be honest, the term is used rather loosely. It can refer to hiking long distances, carrying everything you need (tent, food, etc.) on your back so that you can set up camp anywhere. But the term has also evolved into a popular way to travel.

Used in this way, backpacking essentially refers to low cost traveling done by someone living minimally out of a backpack. It’s usually done for a longer period of time than a vacation would be, and because of the length of time, people usually travel to many places or countries in one trip.

Although this is the general gist of it, backpacking can look different for everyone. For example,  keeping the low cost of travel has a different limit person to person, usually based on comfort. The length of time also varies, s ome people backpack to one country for a month, or some people take a world tour for several months or even a year+.

“So…backpacking is basically only for teenagers during a gap year or hippies hitchhiking and staying in grimy hostels, right?”

Uh..WRONG. For someone who’s never done backpacking or done research on it, you may have a lot of assumptions about what type of person does it and what it looks like. While many young people do backpack during a gap year before school, and some people do choose to hitchhike and live very frugally in simple accommodation with little resources, that is not necessarily everyone’s experience .  Modern day backpacking can look different for everyone. 

Breaking down the Assumptions

1. who is backpacking for.

Now I say this because I personally have met many types of people travel backpacking and I believe it should be an inclusive experience. 

Unfortunately though, this is not to say there are not demographics that are a minority in the space. This is also not to say that everyone has an equal opportunity to go or that everyone has an equal backpacking experience. Depending on a person’s demographic and who they are, they may be treated differently, have to take different precautions, avoid some places altogether, or may not even be allowed into some countries. 

While this may not always be the case and it totally depends, it is important to mention because unfortunately, it is a reality of the world and not everyone has the same opportunites and experiences.

if you have assumed backpacking isn’t for you based on the lack of representation in media and misconceptions of what a backpacker looks like, think again!

That being said though, there are so many people who despite the challenges, judgments, or stereotypes still backpack! I’ve met a man is his 60’s backpacking, solo black female travelers, a nervous introverted person pushing themself out of their comfort zone, a girl who was an amputee, and so many others. 

So if you have assumed backpacking isn’t for you based on the lack of representation in media and misconceptions of what a backpacker looks like, think again!

2. LOW-COST TRAVEL = CRAPPY ACCOMMODATION

The second big assumption that people have about backpacking is that low-cost travel means staying in grungy, uncomfortable accommodation. And don’t get me wrong, sometimes that could be the case. If you’re in a less-traveled area, then you may have to settle for the one hostel there that might be shitty. At other times you might even find yourself staying with locals in a homestay (which can actually be really awesome!). 

However, if that’s not your cup of tea and you’re not too desperate to spend the least amount of money, then there is a middle ground between the lowest cost accommodation and a hotel. In fact, in most well traveled places, even the cheaper options can be more than nice – even hostels!

Bali, Indonesia : The Farm Hostel

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Farm Hostel Canggu (@thefarmhostel) on Jan 17, 2018 at 4:10pm PST

Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA : KL Skyline & Rooftop

View this post on Instagram A post shared by CAROLINE ROSE | TRAVEL (@carolinerosetravel) on Aug 8, 2019 at 5:42am PDT

Marrakech, Morocco : RODAMÓN RIAD

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tripadvisor (@tripadvisor) on Nov 15, 2019 at 7:16am PST

REYKJAVIK, Iceland : GALAXY POD HOSTEL

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Galaxy Pod Hostel (@galaxypodhostel) on Feb 8, 2017 at 6:06am PST

Lisbon, Portugal : Lisb'on Hostel

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lisb'on Hostel® (@lisbonhostel) on Mar 22, 2019 at 3:54am PDT

Bangkok, Thailand: The Yard Hostel

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Yard Hostel Bangkok (@theyardbangkok) on Dec 18, 2019 at 1:43am PST

MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA : MEDELLIN VIBES HOSTEL

View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝙼𝚎𝚍𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚗 𝚅𝚒𝚋𝚎𝚜 𝙷𝚘𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚕 (@medellinvibeshostel) on Jul 9, 2020 at 11:36am PDT

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN : THE JUMBO STAY

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jumbo Stay Arlanda (@jumbostay) on Jan 16, 2017 at 6:34am PST

Super cool right?!

But the best part of hostels are usually the community. You will meet travelers from all around the world and it’s truly a unique experience.

However, if you’re still not sold or prefer some alone time here and there, another option remains: Airbnb.   Airbnb has changed the game when it comes to budget travel. Around the world you can find places to stay for under $50 or even $25. And some of these places are luxury stays! Especially if you’re traveling with a friend/partner, this is definitely within the backpacker budget.

3. Living Out of A Backpack is impossible

4. Backpacking takes so much planning and coordination

Now, honestly, this assumption is 100% accurate. However, that’s not to say that anyone couldn’t do it. It used to be that backpacking meant hitchhiking, talking to strangers to find a place to stay, having a map, etc. etc. And while you can still travel this way, coordinating your backpacking trip is easier than ever. You have the internet to thank for that!

Blog posts and Pinterest will help you find cool places to see; Hostelworld , Airbnb , and Booking.com will find you a place to stay; Rome2Rio , Google Maps , and Maps.Me   will tell you how to get somewhere; translation apps will help you communicate with someone; and countries now even have transportation booking websites like UBER and 12go.asia to get you around. So yes, it’s a lot of planning, but anyone who has a smart phone can do it.

READ POST: 10 Best Resources for Planning a Trip On Your Own

WHY GO BACKPACKING?

Hopefully by addressing some of the assumptions surrounding backpacking, you’re asking yourself why not? But if you’re still wondering why anyone would do this, here’s the answer to your question…

Backpacking is a low-cost way to travel which means it is more accessible to people. It means that you don’t have to be rich to see the world!

Keeping accommodation and other travel costs low, means that your money can stretch and you can explore for longer. The price of backpacking for a month is often times equivalent or cheaper to that of a week of vacationing.

Backpacking for long periods of time allows you the opportunity to see many places. Many people see more of the world during one backpacking trip than most do in their entire life.

Traveling in low cost ways means you are more likely to have authentic experiences and learn about the country in which you are visiting.

Backpacking will change you. It could be a spiritual journey, a reset from life, a source of inspiration in your career,  a journey of self-growth, an opportunity to meet people from around the world, a push out of your comfort zone, whatever! Everyone’s experience is different, but from every experience you will grow.

It might be the most adventurous thing you do in your life!

…So let me be that cliche person coming back from their gap year just for a minute…

BACKPACKING HAS CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER!!! And it could for you too. 

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Meaning of backpacker in English

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• Workaway is a website for budget backpackers eager to work on a Hawaiian farm or in a Kathmandu orphanage in exchange for board .
• The hostel has a genuine and friendly atmosphere with individual rooms to escape from the backpacker crowd if you want .
• This route only sees the rare backpacker with an eye for good cross-country walking .
• Backpackers are uniquely equipped for a trip like this, having built up the tenacity , skills , and passion to push on with several days of supplies .
• boondocking
• camping ground
• groundcloth
• pop-up tent
• Primus stove
• sleeping bag

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7 Unique characteristics of Backpackers 

Backpackers travellers are a unique group of travelers who engage in an alternative form of tourism known as backpacking. 

This article will explore the definition of a backpacker, the benefits of backpacking, different types of backpackers, choosing the right backpack, accommodation options, and ensuring safety and security while backpacking.

• Redaction Team
• August 15, 2023
• Professional Development , Study in Germany

7 Characteristics of Backpackers

• 1. Independent Spirit: Backpackers are known for their desire to explore the world on their terms. They often prefer to travel independently and create their itineraries, rather than relying on organized tours or travel agencies.
• 2. Budget-Conscious : Backpackers are typically mindful of their expenses and aim to travel on a budget. They seek affordable accommodations, use public transportation, and look for ways to save money on food and activities.
• 3. Minimalist Lifestyle : Backpackers tend to pack light and carry only the essentials. They value experiences over material possessions and are comfortable with a simpler lifestyle while on the road.
• 4. Open-Mindedness : Backpackers are often open to new experiences, cultures, and people. They embrace diversity and are eager to learn about the places they visit and the people they meet along the way.
• 5. Adventurous Nature : Backpackers are drawn to adventure and seek out off-the-beaten-path destinations and activities. They may engage in activities such as hiking, trekking, scuba diving, or other outdoor pursuits.
• 6. Social and Community-Oriented : Backpacking can be a social experience, and backpackers often form bonds with fellow travelers they meet on their journeys. They may stay in hostels or communal accommodations to facilitate interactions with other travelers.
• 7. Flexible and Spontaneous : Backpackers tend to be flexible with their plans and adaptable to changing circumstances. They may alter their itineraries based on recommendations from other travelers or unforeseen opportunities that arise.

What is a Backpacker?

Definition of a backpacker.

A backpacker can be defined as a traveler who carries their belongings in a backpack and prefers low-cost, independent travel experiences. Backpacking behaviour is often associated with extended trips, exploration of multiple destinations, and a focus on cultural immersion. Backpackers typically have a limited budget and opt for budget accommodation options.

Benefits of Backpacking

Backpacking offers numerous benefits to travelers. It allows individuals to explore different destinations and cultures, build independence and confidence, and experience personal growth. Backpackers have the opportunity to connect with locals, try new things, and step outside of their comfort zones. Additionally, backpacking can be a more sustainable form of tourism, promoting local economies and creating positive social and environmental impacts.

Backpacker Tourism

Backpacker tourism has become a popular form of travel worldwide. It has gained attention among tourism researchers and has been studied extensively in the field of tourism management. Backpacking is often associated with the youth travel segment and is particularly prevalent in developing countries. Backpacker enclaves, such as popular destinations in Southeast Asia or South America, often cater to the needs of backpackers by offering budget accommodation, transportation, and various recreational activities.

Types of Backpackers

• Adventure Backpackers : Adventure backpackers are passionate about outdoor activities and seek thrilling experiences during their travels. They enjoy activities such as hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, and camping. Adventure backpackers are often physically fit and well-prepared for challenging expeditions.
• Budget Backpackers : Budget backpackers prioritize saving money while traveling. They carefully plan their expenses and opt for the most affordable accommodation, transportation, and dining options. Budget backpackers often stay in hostels or campgrounds and cook their meals to save money.
• Flashpackers : Flashpackers are a relatively new breed of backpackers who combine the adventurous spirit of backpacking with a slightly higher budget. They still carry a backpack, but are willing to spend more on accommodation, dining, and experiences. Flashpackers often seek unique and luxury accommodation options while enjoying the freedom and flexibility of backpacking.

Choosing the Right Backpack

Factors to consider.

When choosing a backpack, there are several factors to consider. Size, comfort, durability, and functionality are key aspects to look for. The backpack should be large enough to fit all essential items without being too bulky or heavy. It should also have adjustable straps and padding for optimal comfort. Durability is crucial to ensure the backpack can withstand the rigors of travel.

Recommended Backpack Brands

There are many reputable backpack brands available on the market. Some popular choices among backpackers are Osprey, Deuter, Gregory, and North Face. These brands offer a wide range of backpacks suitable for different travel styles and preferences.

Tips for Packing a Backpack

Packing a backpack efficiently is essential for a comfortable and organized trip. It is recommended to use packing cubes or compression bags to maximize space and keep belongings organized. Rolling clothes instead of folding them can also save space. Additionally, keeping frequently used items easily accessible can make the journey more convenient.

Accommodation Options for Backpackers

Hostels are a popular choice among backpackers due to their affordability and social atmosphere. Hostels offer dormitory-style rooms where travelers can book a bed instead of a private room. This allows for interactions with fellow backpackers and the opportunity to make new friends.

For outdoor enthusiasts, camping is a great budget-friendly accommodation option. Backpackers can set up tents in designated campgrounds or choose to wild camp in certain areas. Camping allows for an immersive experience in nature and provides the opportunity to explore remote locations.

Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing is a platform that connects travelers with local hosts who offer free accommodation. This option provides backpackers with a chance to experience local culture firsthand and often comes with added benefits such as insider tips and recommendations.

Travel Insurance

Having travel insurance is essential for backpackers to protect themselves against potential risks and emergencies. It is important to choose a comprehensive policy that covers medical expenses, trip cancellation or interruption, and lost or stolen belongings.

Safety Tips for Solo Backpackers

Solo backpackers should prioritize their safety while traveling alone. It is crucial to research and be aware of the local customs, laws, and potential dangers of a destination. Informing trusted family or friends of travel plans, avoiding isolated areas at night, and using common sense can help ensure a safe journey.

Preventing Theft

Backpackers are often targets for theft due to the visibility of their backpacks and the assumption that they may carry valuable items. To prevent theft, it is recommended to use combination locks or padlocks for backpack zippers, keep valuable items secure, and be mindful of surroundings in crowded areas.

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