Backpacker activities and personal values: an SEM approach

Backpackers have been distinguished by their demographics, motivations, behaviors, and activities. This transnational study proposes a value-activity model that examines the causal relationship among personal values and travel activity participation for backpacker tourists. Backpackers’ values, using a modified Rokeach values scale, and activities were measured using a questionnaire that was administered through Facebook and Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree Forums. The structural equation model suggests that backpackers’ personal values can significantly influence the activities that they participate in, and the personal values of backpackers’ are hierarchical which in turn creates a hierarchical structure for the activities that they participate in

Conceptualising three-layer cultural system in mobilities: A mobile ethnographic study of Chinese outbound backpackers in Europe

The aim of this study is to conceptualise the traditional three-layer cultural system (White, 1949; Keesing, 1974) in a mobile and intercultural setting through a mobile ethnographic investigation of Chinese outbound backpackers’ travel experience in Europe. The traditional three-layer culture system is based on Marx’s general evolutionary models, and is regarded as an integrated system formed by three subsystems: materiality, sociality, and ideology. This cultural materialist model of general evolution (Leavitt, 1986) has been metaphorically described as a ‘three layer cake’ by Paris (2009) in his review of backpacker culture. In this ‘three-layer cake’, technological or material subsystem acts as the foundation, primarily provides the infrastructure and equipment through settle environment or media to communicate and negotiate. Secondary to material subsystem is the social subsystem, which is constructed by human systems such as social, recreational and ethical systems. This layer focuses on presenting interactions of human beings through their behaviours. The top layer is the ideological subsystem, which represents the perception, values, organisation of beliefs about human experiences

Digital detox for the holidays: are we addicted?

Invention of Internet and usage of smart phones and tablets has changed our life style in last 15 years. Some applications are life saving tools for smart phone addicted consumers. According to a survey, at the end of 2015 mobile Internet users will take over desktop Internet users. Smart phones are an inseparable part of our life. People on holiday want a stress free period during their journey. We all desire a wonderful holiday as a gift to ourselves. Why do people go on holiday? Businessman and women go on holiday as a break from their normal duties due to the health consequences posed with failure to break. On the other hand, families and other individuals go on holidays for reasons such as relaxation and adventures among others. Since we use smart devices often, we take them with us on holiday and often use them as a communication, entertainment tool during our holiday. What happens if we do not use our smart devices during our holiday? Can we survive or not? Digital detox holiday provides a chance to decrease stress and focus on social interaction in the real world.Some hotels realized that they may offer digital free environment for the guests and this may attract some customers to the digital detox hotels. On the other hand, acceptance of this idea for a community will not be easy. The aim of this paper is to discuss a new travel trend that nearly rejects the digital life during a holiday and focus on individual needs rather than virtual environment.Suan Dusit RajabhatUniversity, University of Westminster, Network Universities Maghreb Europe of Cooperation, Thai Airways International PLC, Brunel University

The social affordances of flashpacking: exploring the mobility nexus of travel and communication

The proliferation of digital devices and online social media and networking technologies has altered the backpacking landscape in recent years. Thanks to the ready availability of online communication, travelers are now able to stay in continuous touch with friends, family and other travelers while on the move. This article introduces the practice of ‘flashpacking’ to describe this emerging trend and interrogates the patterns of connection and disconnection that become possible as corporeal travel and social technologies converge. Drawing on the concepts of ‘assemblages’ and ‘affordances’, we outline several aspects of this new sociality: virtual mooring, following, collaborating, and (dis)connecting. The conclusion situates this discussion alongside broader questions about the shifting nature of social life in an increasingly mobile and mediated world and suggests directions for future research at the intersection of tourism and technology

The social affordances of flashpacking: exploring the mobility nexus of travel and communication

The proliferation of digital devices and online social media and networking technologies has altered the backpacking landscape in recent years. Thanks to the ready availability of online communication, travelers are now able to stay in continuous touch with friends, family and other travelers while on the move. This article introduces the practice of ‘flashpacking’ to describe this emerging trend and interrogates the patterns of connection and disconnection that become possible as corporeal travel and social technologies converge. Drawing on the concepts of ‘assemblages’ and ‘affordances’, we outline several aspects of this new sociality: virtual mooring, following, collaborating, and (dis)connecting. The conclusion situates this discussion alongside broader questions about the shifting nature of social life in an increasingly mobile and mediated world and suggests directions for future research at the intersection of tourism and technology

Exploring the influence of Facebook on backpacker's social experience in hostels

The primary purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between Facebook usage and the corresponding impact on travel relationships within the hostel and backpacker community. An online survey was administered to backpackers which were both hostel and Facebook users by way of travel-centric online communities. The impact of Facebook on backpacker behaviors, decision making, and relationships was examined. Analysis indicates that Facebook is shaping the evolution of social, behavioral, and communicative norms within the backpacker hostel environment and that there is still a gap in the research that examines the impact of social networking websites on the hostel experience

Surveying Backpackers through Facebook: A Case for a Mixed-Mode Dual Frame Procedure

The emergence of social media has created a new medium for administering surveys for tourism research. Deciding the optimal collection method can be a complicated question. In the case of backpacker, destination based surveys, email surveys, survey links posted in online forums, and social media sites like Facebook, have all been used to administer surveys. The purpose of this study is to present the case for a mixed-mode dual frame sampling procedure as an optimum for targeting backpackers. The sampling procedure discussed in this paper included self administered surveys through backpacker specific groups on Facebook.com, and selfadministered surveys at backpacker hostels in Cairns, Australia

Flashpacking: a discussion of independent travel in a digital world

The purpose of this paper is to develop an understanding of the impact of the convergence of ICT and independent travel from the perspective of a small group of tech-savvy flashpackers. Key informant e-interviews were conducted with a small group of eight flashpackers with an established virtual presence. This paper employs the mobilities paradigm to discuss the convergence of technology and backpacking tourism. The study of the flashpacking phenomenon through a ‘mobilities lens’ provides a vehicle for developing an understanding of the complexities of the intersection of physical travel, technologies, and daily life. Several themes emerged from the interviews including the conceptualization of connection and disconnection, impact of technologies on traditional physical spaces of backpacking, social interaction, and increasing fluidity of ‘tourist’ and ‘non-tourist’ experiences