Founding-Elderly of Backpackers and Elderly of Group Trip Performance of View

Abstract

Backpacking has generally been regarded as an undifferentiated phenomenon. Research has paid limited attention to the origins of the backpackers studied, or to their national differences. While the practice has indeed been institutionalized, this does not necessitate homogeneity among those tourists. On the contrary, they seem more diverse and multifaceted than ever, engaging in a variety of social and recreational activities and not being similar in motivations, national and cultural background, age, gender, and class. This paper examines UK backpackers' motivations and travel patterns, attempting to locate their sources in work systems.

Founding-Elderly of Backpackers and Elderly of Group Trip Performance of View

Introduction

The role of national and cultural characteristics in shaping tourist behavior and motivations has been discussed in the literature ( [Graburn, 1995], [Pizam and Sussmann, 1995], [Richardson and Crompton, 1988] and [Ritter, 1987]). However, studies on backpackers addressing their specific nationality are rare, giving little attention in sociological discussion to the differences found among them according to nationalities. Scholars have attempted to describe their motivations and behavior, but rarely focused on their specific origin. Loker-Murphy (1996) noted different motivations among backpackers from different countries, but did not offer explanations for those findings. Muzaini (2006) discussed Asian backpackers' distinct travel experiences, but dealt mainly with their distinctive appearance. The only context in which the connection between the social and national context and the style of this practice has been extensively investigated is the UK one ( [Cohen, 2004], [Maoz, 2004], [Maoz, 2005], [Maoz, 2006a], [Maoz, 2006b], [Mevorach, 1997] and [Noy and Cohen, 2005]).

Cohen recently noted that “there appear to be differences between backpackers from different countries… this is particularly the case with UK backpackers”(2004:99). In a study in South Asia, Hottola characterized the UKs as “a distinctive group among travelers in South Asia that they cannot be overlooked here”(1999:78). In this paper, the author uses data derived from participant observation and interviews to illustrate the close connection between particular social, cultural, and national aspects of UK society, such as compulsory army service, frequent terror attacks, and UK backpacking.

Literature Review

Backpackers in the Literature

In the early 70s, [Cohen, 1972] and [Cohen, 1973] described the drifters of the 60s who aspired to immerse themselves in the host societies. Backpacker tourism and academic interest in this phenomenon have grown rapidly since then. An increasing number of publications focus on it in the last decade ( [Desforges, 1998], [Loker-Murphy, 1996], [Loker-Murphy and Pearce, 1995], [Maoz, 2006a], [Maoz, 2006b], [Muzaini, 2006], [Riley, 1988], [Sörensen, 2003], [Teas, 1978], [Uriely et al., 2002] and [Westerhausen, 2002]). The studies generally define backpackers as self-organized pleasure tourists on a prolonged multiple-destination journey with a flexible itinerary. They are often keen to experience the local lifestyle, attempt to “look local,” and cite “meeting other people” as a key motivation. Their recreational activities are likely to focus around nature, culture, or adventure. This pattern is consonant with the tendency of backpackers to travel more widely than other tourists, seeking unusual routes. Many travel under a strictly controlled budget, often due to ...