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Backpackers: The next generation?
cultural experiences, for instance, grows stronger as people accumulate more
experience. More experienced travellers expressed interest in self-development
through nature and host-site involvement, whereas less experienced travellers
stressed stimulation, romance, security, nostalgia, and self-actualisation.
However, Pearce concedes that those four dominant travel motivations –
novelty, relationship, self-development and escape/relax – remain constant
throughout peoples’ travel careers.
An additional study suggests that “as more people move up Maslow’s hierarchy
of needs, inconspicuous consumption will steadily replace the predominantly
status-driven consumption of the post-war years” (Yeoman, Munro, &
McMahon-Beattie, 2007, p. 183). The writers posit that, in the coming
“experience economy”, well-educated, well-travelled people will be more
concerned with experience than with material possessions (p. 187). Muller (1997,
p. 306) agrees, stating that, to many boomers, “economic success and prosperity
may well appear hollow. They will increasingly realize that self-fulfilment and a
satisfying, meaningful life can be achieved with other, more easily attainable,
more pleasurable, less materialistic agendas”.
Less idealistically, there is an additional, significant determinant of travel
interests and preferences. Shim et al. (2005) state that income is directly relevant
to travel intentions, but not attitudes. Similarly, Peterson’s (2007) large study
finds that “age-group differences are not the biggest story in demographic
influences on vacation. They are eclipsed by the effects of economic variables
such as income and assets”.
Many of the issues addressed in this body of literature are also present in
backpacker literature – e.g., the impact of experience on self definitions and
types of experiences sought. This thesis reflects those cross-over areas by
examining the dominant travel motivators for older backpackers. Are they more
“sophisticated” and experienced travellers than their younger counterparts?
How do they manifest their consumption choices? What role do economics play
in their decisions?
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