Description
Book SynopsisThis book presents new contributions in backpacking research from various disciplines, capturing the diversity of backpacker contexts, motives and behaviours. It takes a fresh, critical and reflexive look at over 40 years of backpacking research and seeks to recentre backpacking research before introducing new perspectives on backpacking and global backpacker cultures from previously unexplored perspectives. The chapters examine contemporary backpacker culture and mobilities, and the value and worth of backpacking both for individuals seeking an alternative life course and transformation, and destinations and businesses who value their economic and cultural potential. The volume aims to make sense of current research in order to understand backpacking’s future, and produce new directions for conceptual, theoretical and methodological development and future research. It will be useful for students and researchers in tourism, sociology and anthropology.
Trade ReviewThe demise of the travel guide book and the emergence of the digital device underpins the makeover of backpacking as a mode of travel. This remarkable book breathes new life into the study of backpackers and its innovative methodological and theoretical entreaties help better situate backpacker research in the present. * Joseph M. Cheer, Western Sydney University, Australia *
Michael O'Regan has assembled a strong group of international scholars who bring research on backpacker culture firmly into the (post-)pandemic 21st century. Their rich case studies and compelling theoretical discussions provide welcome insight into the changing character of the global backpacker. * Michael A. Di Giovine, West Chester University, USA *
Backpacking brings to mind hedonism, cheap hostels and culturally insensitive wayfarers. This book bursts these preconceptions. Drawing from extensive theories, the chapters present a holistic view of contemporary backpacking and a fervent exploration of both Western and non-Western backpackers. This collection captures the many dimensions and complexities of backpacking, and the consumption of tourism spaces.
* Catheryn Khoo, Torrens University Australia *
Table of ContentsFigures and Tables
Contributors
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1. Michael O’Regan: Introduction: Backpacking – A Tired Narrative or
New Beginnings?
Part 1: Ontological Approaches and Mobile Methods
Chapter 2. Michael O’Regan: Thirty Years of Backpacker Research: A Systematic Literature Review
Chapter 3. Benjamin Lucca Iaquinto: The Go-along: A Mobile Method for Backpacker Research
Part 2: International Backpacking
Chapter 4. Yingying Li, Marion Joppe and Ye (Sandy) Shen: The Motivations and Constraints of Chinese ‘Donkey Friends’
Chapter 5. Wenjie Cai: Identity Construction of Chinese Outbound Backpackers in Europe
Chapter 6. Khen Ya’ari: Family Backpacking in India: The Case of Israeli Families
Chapter 7. Sarani Pitor Pakan: The Rise and Decline of Indonesian Backpacking
Chapter 8. Reihaneh Shahvali and Khadijeh Safiri: Iranian Female Backpackers and their Surrounding Community
Part 3: Backpacker Socialisation, Hostels and Learning
Chapter 9. Birgit Phillips and Michael Phillips: Travel and Transformation: Negotiating Identity in Post-Journey Life
Chapter 10. Marko Salvaggio: The Backpacker Hostel: Performing and Experiencing 'Place' in Central America
Chapter 11. Leon Mach: Backpacker Lifestyle Entrepreneurism: Resident Perspectives on Hedonistic Events and Backpackaging
Part 4: Concluding Thoughts
Chapter 12. Michael O’Regan: After the Pandemic: Future Directions for Backpacking and Backpacking Research
Index
