Backpacking and backpackers: a fresh look

Abstract

As areas and topics of tourism study grow with increasing researcher efforts, it is opportune at times to pause and reflect on the directions of the work already undertaken. As a part of the Special Issue of Tourism Recreation Research, this article takes a fresh look at backpacking, backpackers and the research pertaining to these topics. The framework for this examination of backpacker studies is provided by a four-cell grid where the combined effects of rigour and relevance are integrated to produce work with different strengths. It is argued in this paper that a fresh look at backpacker studies should be consistent with the high-rigour, high-relevance quadrant – that is, work which is both powerful and pragmatic. The process of investigating fresh directions in backpacker studies is then developed by examining five emerging issues in tourism study generally and then contrasting the suggestions emerging from these areas with pre-existing ideas for more backpacker research from published sources. It is concluded that backpacker research can reach beyond its present focus and position and move towards powerful new destinations.