Tourism is an important element of personal self-expression, not to mention the benefits of valuable life experiences and the baggage of vivid impressions we return with from travelling. Backpacking is a particularly interesting type of wandering that is gradually becoming a lifestyle.

What is the reason for the popularity of backpacking?

The standard of living in modern society is qualitatively different from previous generations. Today, tourists have many more opportunities to travel. Flying Belfast – Glasgow is not a problem, nor is finding cheap flights from Manchester to Kraków, for example. In the modern age, people have diverse opportunities, which give them the freedom to travel the planet. In addition, budget hostel chains and familiar food products are widespread around the world.

What is backpacking?

It is a low-budget trip that usually takes place far from popular tourist destinations. This form of recreation is most common among young people and does not involve the help of a travel agency in organizing a trip. Backpacking allows you to see the real lives of people in different countries and, sometimes, to have quite interesting adventures. This type of travel is a kind of metaphor for the mobility of people in modern society, when the world has become truly global, united by fast air travel and a common planetary culture.

Among other types of tourism, this one is distinguished by the following characteristics:

Backpackers spend much more time on a trip than other tourists.
They usually stay in budget hostels or hotels.
Travel is organized without assistance.

Backpackers actively communicate with locals and other tourists.
The main purpose of travelling is to explore the world and, accordingly, determine their place in it.

Today, the phenomenon of backpacking is widespread on all continents. It is the opposite of mass tourism. More and more, this type of travel is turning into a way of life and a specific culture with special rules of behaviour.