Backpacker Tourism: An Analysis of Motives for Backpacking

Abstract:

Backpackers could be find in almost every corner of the world, from the rural areas to the city centers. They carry with them not only their backpacks but also their different lifestyles from their home place (Richards & Wilson, 2004). There are many definitions of backpackers, however, most authors agree with the following: backpackers are young people who travel on budget with flexible schedules, over longer periods than conventional holidays and take a variety of travel activities. Regardless the low daily consumption, this segment is very important for the tourist market, because with its length of stay they are spending far more than the average tourist (Godfrey, 2011). They also distribute their spending in the wider area of the visited country, not just in major cities. It is very important to research them in order to create the tourist offer according to their specific needs and generally to realize the importance of backpacking tourism as tourism niche.