WHAT IS A BACKPACKER ?
Backpackers are a small but significant section of the overall tourism market. They
take longer trips on average than other tourists, and international backpackers spend
considerably more per trip and travel to more regions of Australia than do other
visitors.
Tourism Australia defines a backpacker as “a person that spends at least one night in
either backpacker or hostel accommodation”. Note visitors do not necessarily spend
all nights in backpacker accommodation and may also stay in other types of
accommodation.
Tourism Australia develops a fact sheet on international backpackers in Australia
which is available on their website
There is an emerging new backpacker market known as the Flashpacker that could
be described as the affluent backpacker. They share many of the characteristics of
backpackers but are associated with greater disposable income and tend to mix low
cost and luxury travel, still travelling independently, but with greater comfort. They
also tend to travel with gadgets such as laptops, music/video players, digital
cameras, mobile phones or GPS devices.
Below is a brief outline on some of the key characteristics and current definitions of
backpackers.
Backpacking is a state of mind. In “The Backpacking Phenomenon”, Philip Pearce1
suggests that backpacking is an approach to travelling and holiday taking, rather than
a categorisation based on age or dollars spent. Pearce developed the following
criteria for distinguishing backpackers from other travellers:
• a preference for budget accommodation
• an emphasis on meeting with locals and other travellers
• an independently organised and flexible travel schedule
• longer rather than brief holidays
• an emphasis on informal and participatory holiday activities
1 Pearce, P.L. (1990). The backpacker phenomenon: Preliminary answers to basic questions. Townsville: James
Cook University of North Queensland.
Other characteristics which attempt to describe backpackers are:
• a large proportion of international visitors
• mostly young, predominantly in the 20-35 age group
• large number of 40-49 age group
• strong interest in adventure and eco-tourist activities
• well educated
• use coach and bus travel more than any other form of travel
• may work for some part of their stay
Backpackers are generally characterised by their independent style and extensive
range of travel, coupled with their ability to extend their length of stay through prudent
budgeting.
Tourism Australia produced a two-page research document entitled “Backpacker
Accommodation in Australia 2007” which summarised a considerable amount of
information on backpackers from several sources. It is available here. It is an update
of a similar publication entitled “Backpackers in Australia 2006” which may be useful
for comparison purposes. It is available here .
Backpacker accommodation is typically low cost short term accommodation.
Traditionally backpacker accommodation was primarily dormitory style with
communal self catering facilities and social areas but in recent years the quality and
services of establishments has improved dramatically. It is now not unusual for some
newer establishments to include en-suite accommodation with single, double or quad
occupancy rooms and offer free breakfast, air conditioning, pool and linen.
For travellers, the main benefits of backpacker accommodation include:
• The low price of the accommodation compared to
alternatives such as hotels and bed and breakfasts
• Common areas (kitchens, sitting rooms, pool rooms, bars
etc.) encourage more interaction between guests than in
traditional hotels.
• Hostels are less formal than hotels.
• Most hostels have a library of travel guides for guests to use
to plan out their journey and often provide DVD libraries and
book swap systems.
• Hostel staff are genuinely there to help, provide free,
independent advice on the best places to eat and drink,
travel options etc.
• Many hostels provide activities for their guests for a nominal
charge or no charge at all.
The Western Australian industry group is Backpack Western Australia, a not-for-profit
organisation of people involved in the backpacking industry.
www.backpackwesternaustralia.com
Contact:
Secretariat Services Officer
Backpacking Western Australia
PO Box 242
NORTHBRIDGE WA 6865
Email - info@backpackwesternaustralia.com
© Tourism Western Australia 2008
DISCLAIMER
This document has been prepared by Tourism Western Australia predominantly from
information and data gathered in the course of its activities. No person or organisation should
act on the basis of any matter contained in this document without considering and, if
necessary, taking appropriate professional advice. Neither Tourism Western Australia, nor
any of its employees, undertakes responsibility to any person or organisation in respect of this
document.
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