Backpackers: The next generation? - Scholarly Commons Home

Backpackers: The next generation?
Despite the demo- and psychographic differences found between older and
younger backpackers, the thesis also offers considerable support for the concept
of age neutrality. Within the 20 year age span covered by the interviewees (ages
42 to 63), few discernable differences are discovered about activities undertaken
and attitudes expressed. The combined comments from older backpackers,
accommodation hosts, and younger guests all suggest that age differences do
not negatively affect anyone’s experience.
The older travellers fit all of Pearce’s (1990) definitions of backpacker:
• They demonstrate a distinct preference for budget accommodations;
• They place an emphasis on social interactions with hosts and fellow
travellers;
• They are travelling on independently organised and flexible travel
schedules;
• They are travelling for longer rather than very brief holidays;
• They place an emphasis on informal and participatory holiday activities.
Importantly, they confirm Pearce’s (1990, p.1) premise that “being a backpacker
is an approach to travel and holiday taking rather than a categorisation based on
dollars spent or one’s age”.
How, then, is the backpacking industry responding to this potential market of
baby boomer travellers who wish (or need) to travel affordably? Both large
hostels and small backpackers’ accommodations across New Zealand are adding
private rooms, many with an ensuite, to meet the growing demand for these
facilities. The backpackers’ accommodation owners and other STEs appear to be
deftly demonstrating what Storey (1994) identified as a responsiveness to
emerging market demands.
Conversely, the findings of this thesis also buttress STE literature that contend
that there is limited sophistication and little long term marketing strategising
(Page et al., 1999). In particular, it supports both Page et al.’s (1999) and Shaw
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