Backpacking is an outdoor activity where a participant packs all of their gear into a backpack. This gear may include food, water, bedding, and perhaps shelter. This is one of the fast growing businesses in Australia and contributes to economy growth. Backpacking is the low cost of traveling, recreation and exploring places that they consider beautiful and fascinating.
Most backpacking trips consist of overnight stay, weekend (one or two nights) weeks or months
. In remote wilderness areas, established camps may not exist at all, and travelers must choose an appropriate place to camp themselves. Others stay in youth hostels. Most backpackers use public transport.
In some places, backpackers have access to lodging that is more substantial than a tent
Most backpackers purposely try to avoid impacting on the land through which they travel. This includes following established trails as much as possible, not removing anything, and not leaving residue in the backcountry. The Leave No Trace movement offers a set of guidelines for low-impact backpacking ("Leave nothing but footprints. Take nothing but photos. Kill nothing but time. Keep nothing but memories
However backpackers are face with many risks: * Weather * Difficult terrain * Double-crossing river crossing * Hungry or unpredictable animals * Illness (dehydration, heat tiredness, hypothermia)
Backpackers want to experience the "real" destination rather than the packaged version often associated with mass tourism.
Inter-relationships
* Travel Industry – Rail and air travel. * Accommodation – Resorts, Motels, Hotels, Caravan Parks Bed and Breakfast and Backpacker Accommodation, camps and tent
Relevance to Hospitality Industry
References: ^ Adkins, Barbara; Eryn Grant (2007-08). "Backpackers as a Community of Strangers: The Interaction Order of an Online Backpacker Notice Board" (PDF). Qualitative Sociology Review 3 (2): 188–201. Retrieved 2007-10-29. ^ "Backpacker Tourism". Market Segments > Backpacker Tourism. Tourism New South Wales. Archived from the original on 25 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-07. ^ a b Cohen, Erik (2003). "Backpacking: Diversity and Change" (PDF). Tourism and Cultural Change 1 (2): 95–110. doi:10.1080/14766820308668162. Retrieved 2007-10-29.