1st Edition
Backpacker Tourism and Economic Development Perspectives from the Less Developed World
1. What is Backpacker Tourism? 2. Cultural and Social Aspects of Backpackers 3. Who Wins, Who Loses? Backpacker Tourism and Economic Development 4. Guest Houses and Tattoo Parlours: Backpackers in Cities 5. The Beach and Full Moon Parties: Backpackers at the Coast 6. Policy Implications and Conclusions
Biography
Mark P. Hampton is Senior Lecturer in Tourism Management at the University of Kent, and Director of the Centre for Tourism in Islands and Coastal Areas (CENTICA).
"Mark Hampton’s pioneering analysis of backpacker tourism’s economic potential is oft-cited and has influenced tourism policy makers in developing countries such as Malaysia to shift their previously negative attitude towards backpackers."
"This new book is a timely, comprehensive analysis. Mark’s experience as a backpacker illuminates his candid review of backpacker tourism’s evolution. His insight and scholarship are evident as he discusses how backpacking changed from a counter-cultural rite of passage to a mainstream, institutionalized market segment, and how hosting backpackers benefits developing countries. He has done justice to his subject in this authoritative, well-written account with wit and humour. This is a wonderful and fascinating book."- Professor Amran Hamzah, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
"A colourful and absorbing analysis of the history and economic impact of backpackers. Full of personal anecdotes from previous travellers, plus primary research about economic benefits arising from activities such as Full Moon Parties. It shows how backpacking has changed from ‘hippies’ to higher-spending tourists, often on gap years. An impressive, entertaining work that advances studies of both economic development and tourism." – Tim Forsyth, Times Higher Education
"This clearly written book merits a place on the reading lists of both undergraduate and postgraduate tourism courses relating to issues of tourism and development. It is fertile territory for students in search of challenging research topics relating to youth tourism in general and of backpacker tourism in particular." – Christian M. Rogerson, Annals of Tourism Research“Overall, this nuanced and tightly focused analysis succeeds in its central contention that ‘‘backpacker tourism, whilst not a panacea, can in many cases play a significant role in local economic development and the alleviation of poverty’’ (p. 2). This clearly written book merits a place on the reading lists of both undergraduate and postgraduate tourism courses relating to issues of tourism and development. It is fertile territory for students in search of challenging research topics relating to youth tourism in general and of backpacker tourism in particular.” – Christian M. Rogerson, School of Tourism and Hospitality, University of Johannesburg, Published in Annals of Tourism Research
