Youth transnationalism backpacking and tourism in Thailand - Essay Example

? Youth Transnationalism, Backpacking, and Tourism in Thailand Introduction Tourism is currently in a of global change. The expectations anddesires of the average tourist have been gradually evolving over the years, and the tourist industry, although struggling to keep up, has performed brilliantly across sectors (Hamzah & Hampton, 2011). The reality is that record numbers of tourists are choosing to travel internationally, many for extended periods of time. While the traditional short stay vacation of one week in a resort style of facility will likely remain, there has been a tremendous surge in the number of individuals, particularly young people, who choose to take several months off from their existence in their home country to travel around and explore new cultures foreign to their own. Commonly referred to as ‘backpackers’, these travellers are more interested in the local culture and people of the countries they choose to visit, and are less interested in the fancy resorts and holiday destinations that have long been considered the backbone of the tourist industry (Allon, 2004). Backpackers today greatly contribute to the local customs of their country of choice, as they tend to blend into the community life, in many cases choosing to work for a few months, and generally contribute to overall youth tourism market exploding internationally. Perhaps few regions of the world are as notorious for backpacking journeys than the nations of Southeast Asia. The region, having been opened up for tourism in recent decades, is ripe with culture and tradition that attracts young people from around the globe who want to leave behind the Western lifestyle for a time and experience something new. Owing to its openness to foreigners and its relatively carefree lifestyles, Thailand is perhaps the best country to study for this phenomenon. Over the years, the tourism market for backpackers in Thailand has evolved into its own sector of the overall hospitality industry in the country. Backpackers are present in nearly every region of the country, many choosing to say for multiple months, and they have almost become integrated into the overall landscape of the country as well. This study will examine the recent youth tourism movement in Thailand by focusing specifically on backpackers. Current trends and factors driving the growth of the backpacker movement will be analyzed, along with an exploration of various strategic opportunities to further develop the backpacker and working holiday option for the tourism industry in Thailand moving forward. 1.2 Trends in the Global Backpacker Phenomenon The trend of backpacking around the world has gained such momentum, that many tourist agencies are launching campaigns specifically targeting this particular demographic. Research indicates that backpackers tend to spend more money during other traditional types of tourists, largely due to the fact that they stay longer in one region (Hampton, 2013). Backpackers do tend to be more adventurous than other types of travellers, so regions of the world that have a great deal to offer these particular individuals are the ones that typically go after their business. Australia is perhaps the best example of this. New South Wales, in fact, specifically targets backpackers on their website and throughout various industry trade shows around the globe. In doing so, they hope to highlight the numerous cultural and adventure type activities that should attract and lure the average backpacker to spend a considerable amount of time in the area (Allon, 2004). New South Wales, and many other areas around the globe, see considerable advantages in attracting backpackers to their location. While many of these factors will be discussed in Chapter Two, it bears mentioning that the average backpacker does need to be marketed to in a slightly different manner than other types of travellers. To begin, the trend that has been realized recently is that backpackers tend to lean towards budget accommodation. Because of the longevity of their stay, coupled with the fact that they tend to be younger in age, this group looks for accommodations that can accommodate a limited budget. Owing to this reality, Australia and other regions of the tourism and hospitality industry have integrated an entire segment of the business focused on quality, safe, and cheap lodging (Allon, 2004). This allows the average backpacker to have more money available to spend on other activities that directly benefit the local economy. This trend has been seen in other areas as well, as Israel and Southeast Asia, just to name a few, have all adopted a separate industry focused largely on hostels and guesthouses. It is also important to understand that the typical backpacker is young. They are most often between the ages of 18 and 35 years of age and are typically not interested in the ‘normal’ tourist activities (Allon, Anderson, and Bushell, 2008). Because of this, numerous tourism related agencies and companies have simply discounted them as being an insignificant part of the overall market. Many simply feel that they do not have the infrastructure, activities, or interested local people to accommodate this in force. This line of thinking, however, negates the power of young people and limits their ability to transcend borders, share knowledge, and experience new ways of life. This is the reason that there has been a recent upsurge in backpacker travel in certain areas of the world. If a region, such as Thailand or Australia, warmly welcomes this demographic, they have done so realizing not only the economic impact, but the possibility for cultural enhancement as well. This study is focused on the positive trends noticed in the backpacker segment of the tourist industry. As this type of traveller is more keen to meet locals, spend money with local family owned businesses, have a flexible itinerary and timeline, and are open to working holidays, the reality is that they can appeal to a wide sector of the overall hospitality industry. From a youth perspective, they should not simply be ignored simply because they are ‘wild’ and ‘poor’. The reality is that these young people can inject life into a region that is sputtering economically. The cultural exchanges that take place along the way can literally transform generations. The economic and social impact on a region can be lasting and productive. It is with these reasons in mind that this study is conducted, with a particular emphasis on the relationship between backpackers and the country of Thailand. 2. Literature Review One may think that the idea of ‘backpacking’ is the same today as it was decades ago. Research, however, informs us otherwise. It is important to remember that not too long ago, Western youth were expected to go from secondary school straight into the university, or into their career. There was not time afforded for travel or adventure. The idea of backpacking during one’s travels, however, has now evolved into a multi-million dollar a year segment of the travel industry. The concept of the ‘gap’ year, for example, has recently been introduced to describe the young person who takes a year or two off from their studies, before fully embarking on a career path, in order to go out and experience the world (Arnett, 2000). Some even choose to turn the adventure of a lifetime into a working holiday, the likes of which was not really done a few decades ago. Still others embark on a path that takes them to multiple cultures, learning about new ways of life and gaining a unique perspective of life that did not previously exist (Arnett, 2000). Whatever path the backpacker takes today is certainly different than that travelled previously. So, while the concept remains unchanged, it is important to study this phenomenon anew in order to gain a unique insight into the world of today’s young long-term traveller. Backpackers today are demonstrating positive market trends for the tourism industry as a whole. Some areas of the world are reporting record numbers of tourist arrivals, with backpackers making up a significant percentage. Areas such as China, Southeast Asia, and Australia are each reporting more than 10% of travellers identifying themselves as backpackers, or as a working holiday maker. In Australia, for example, the figure is approaching 25% of international visitors in a hostel or guesthouse setting on any given night (Allon, Anderson, and Bushell, 2008). That is a number that has been steadily increasing over previous decades. Backpackers typically travel for one month or more, and they are no longer confined only to rural areas of the countries that they visit. Malaysia, Thailand, and Australia are just three examples that have shown an increase of 50% or more in terms of backpackers who spend one week or more in capital cities at some point during their journey (Atejevic & Doorne, 2005). An interesting development in recent years involves the nationality of backpackers. Long thought to be mostly a British phenomenon, the trend has now spread to much of Europe and the United States. For whatever reason, Germans still have avoided the craze, but the reality is that there is a sizeable and growing market amongst many Europeans to travel to other lands and backpack the region. While Asians typically do not enjoy the art backpacking themselves, primarily due to cultural differences, many countries in the region of the world have opened up separate sectors of their hospitality industry that market specifically to that type of traveller (Atejevic & Doorne, 2005). Current research points out that there are four main types of backpackers: The working holidaymaker, free and independent travellers, domestic backpackers, and students. Each of these subgroups provides a distinct market and, as such, requires a slightly different approach to earning their business and trust. Let us begin with a discussion of the working holidaymaker. Jarvis and Peel (2013) point out that working holiday makers are becoming more and more popular today, particularly when considering the number of people worldwide right now in between careers due to the recent global financial crisis. The regions currently experiencing exponential growth in this area are Australia and the countries of Southeast Asia, primarily due to the relative ease of attaining temporary employment visas in these areas. Such a traveller typically includes a broader age-range of individual, with different and unique needs to the average backpacker. This group could be comprised of young people who have not yet attended university, but primarily the group will consist on individuals who are simply in between jobs, or have grown dissatisfied with their current occupation and desire a shift of focus for a season while they decide what is next. As such, they are in a different place emotionally and logistically when compared to the typical backpacker who only seeks pleasure and adventure (Jarvis and Peel, 2013). There are many advantages to marketing directly to the working holidaymaker. Not only do such individuals tend to spend much of their disposable income in one community for an extended period of time, but they also tend to make use of short domestic trips to satisfy their yearning for cultural experiences. In Thailand, for example, there are tour agencies nationwide that will market 2 or 3 day adventure trips that cater just to this segment of the market (Cohen, 2005). Australian Tourism officials have also recognized the benefit of this segment of the population, and have run campaigns aimed directly at the working holidaymaker. This is largely due to the fact that other financial considerations exist for this group when compared to other types of tourist, such as the need for budget accommodation and more adventure type excursions (Allon, 2004). Studies have also shown that this particular segment of the tourist population provides a boost to other sectors of the economy as well. Countries such as Australia often have seasonal labour shortages in unskilled areas. Working holidaymakers, for example, are typically willing to fill shortages in agricultural areas, nursing, day care, and even the hospitality industry. In Asia, this list expands to providing English language services to local people. The benefit of this new pool of labour goes beyond productivity, however, as these individuals are often willing to work for low wages, in exchange for less responsibility and the reality that they may come and go almost at will (Hampton, 1998). In essence, the system benefits both the traveller that has an adventurous spirit, and the regional economy that is often desperate to get almost any help they can get. While the length of stay obviously varies, depending on circumstances, working holidaymakers have been known to work and travel for up to a year before returning to their home country. This fact alone demonstrates why it is an important demographic group to capture, if the market in a particular region exists. Such individuals desire to work on their holiday for several reasons. The most obvious is that it gives them an infusion of cash that is often needed when travelling for such long periods of time, without having to utilize all of the already limited savings back home (Hamtpon & Hamzah, 2010). They often desire to stay for up to three months in a particular area before moving on, so they often would like to occupy their time with something other than harmful vices. All in all, this type of traveller has been a welcome addition to the hospitality industry globally. Another important demographic group is the free and independent traveller. Commonly abbreviated as FIT, this sector of the hospitality and tourism industry has experienced tremendous growth in the past few decades. This type of travel appeals to young people who do not desire to be a part of the typical pre-packaged variety of tours. Instead, the FIT options affords individuals and couples the opportunity to travel with whom they want and explore different areas of the country at their own pace. As such, it is the backpacker that most commonly utilizes this type of trip option (Hampton, 2013). Countries have become quite ingenious in recent years with the type of travel they offer in this area, from the rail passes in Europe that allow backpackers to trek across the continent with relative ease and on their own timetable, to bicycling tours throughout Southeast Asia. Studies have shown that the FIT demographic is greatly impact local economies at the grassroots level (Howard, 2007). Free and independent travellers are the individuals that are most likely to participate in home stays, patronize local businesses as opposed to chains, and create their own itinerary at the suggestion of the local people. Further research demonstrates that this type of activity actually puts more money directly back into the local economy that the traditional tourist, as international corporations are generally not involved, meaning that more of the revenue generated stays within the local community. In Australia and Europe, trends are also pointing to an upsurge in domestic backpackers. Such individuals tend to be younger and desire to see the continent, or country, in a new perspective (Inkson & Mayers, 2003). While this demographic does not travel for as long a period of time as the holiday maker or FIT individual/couple, they tend to better understand the culture and are willing to spend more to support the local people and community. Pearce and Foster (2006) also extensively studied another important demographic group – the student. This age group is rapidly becoming a force in the market as well as they are typically willing to travel to regions where other travellers are hesitant to venture in exchange for adventure. There really is no region of the world that students would typically be unwilling to travel to, but they are limited by funds (Jarvis & Peel, 2010). This makes out of the way places, such as South America and Africa, difficult to appeal to because of the length and expense of travel to get there. On the contrary, there are multiple budget airlines now that travel between Australia and Southeast Asia. In addition, several major European cities are directly linked to capitals such as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Jakarta, making the dream of backpacking in such areas a deeper possibility (King, 2008). Many students now choose to take a gap year between periods of study, further making this group a target for tourism campaigns globally. There are now trade shows aimed solely at gap year travellers. Such programs cater to cultural exchange components, work stays, and to the backpacker in general (Paris, 2012). While such a demographic does not typically have the disposable income associated with other types of tourist, they are more willing to spend what little money they do have on activities, products, and services that are most closely aligned with the local community. This group is traditionally known to be party oriented, visiting local bars and community centres to enjoy their time. This also promotes cultural tourism in the reality that both countries can benefit from the interaction. While some studies do allude to risky and dangerous behaviour undertaken by young backpackers, there is far more empirical evidence that points to positive benefits being experienced by both parties – such as those previously mentioned (Peel & Steen, 2007). Another growing group of backpackers are getting involved in locally organized volunteer activities during their travelling through various regions of the world. Sin (2009) notes that, “Volunteer tourism is increasingly available and popular amongst many types of long-term tourist in different parts of the world. Despite its seeming virtue and it often being positioned as a form of ‘justice’ or ‘goodwill’ tourism, critics in the public media have begun to question and criticize the effectiveness or ‘real’ value of volunteer tourism” (p. 480). The criticism is that volunteers tend to not really benefit the local people as they bring their own customs and traditions, neglecting to really adapt themselves. Whatever the situation may be, however, the reality is that volunteer tourism is increasing around the globe. Whether it the backpacker just looking for more adventure along their journey, or the traveller whom is genuinely trying to make a difference, one factor remains: the local economy still benefits (Maoz, 2006). Volunteers tend to spend even more money that the average backpacker as they will not only purchase essential goods and services for themselves, but they tend to purchase for others as well. For this reason, and others of course, developing countries are highly touting the benefits of staying in their area for a period of time to help the local people, and spend money at the same time. It seemingly is a win-win situation. While the verdict may still be out on the lasting impact on the local people, there are few studies that point to harmful results from the increase in volunteerism, aside from the normal ‘bad apples’ that unfortunately come with any demographic group (Sin, 2009). While this segment of the tourist industry may have its roots in Australia and Europe, young people and other types of backpackers are now flocking in record number to Southeast Asia in record numbers. Scholars point out that this is largely because of the ease of travel throughout the region, and the presence of a culture that is considered to exotic (Murphy, 2001). This exotic nature of the region lures in many young people and captivates them because of the quest for adventure. In return, they often return back to their home countries in Europe and America to talk about their exploits, creating a ripple effect that has created a constant flow of tourists to this region of the world for decades. In addition, Currie, Campbell-Trant, T, & Seaton (2011) point to studies that show many backpackers are now returning for repeat trips at regular intervals due to the vast nature of the region that remains to be explored. Such trips are two to three months in length, creating contact with the host culture that is reunited in annual visits. This also further sparks economic development and provides a mechanism by which tourism authorities can further promote the benefits and richness that Southeast Asian culture has to offer. 3. Evidence from the Thailand Tourism Market Thailand has seen an influx of backpackers travelling throughout the region since the end of the Vietnam War. This reality can truly be seen in every district throughout that country, as the landscape in Thailand is varied and appeals to nearly any type of traveller. Backpackers are frequently seen travelling throughout the Hill tribes of the north part of the country, setline in for working holidays in the centre of the country in Bangkok, and continuing on to the jungles of the south to enjoy pristine beach and the party atmosphere that is frequently associated with this type of traveller (Muzaini, 2006). In essence, the evidence of the backpacker phenomenon in Thailand, and its corresponding impact on the overall tourism industry in Thailand, is plentiful. There is considerable debate, however, about whether or not these benefits are truly negative or whether they are positive for the industry as a whole. It is often thought that to truly experience the backpacking life in Thailand, one must travel down south to the island of Koh Pangan. This is the island that is noted for their monthly full moon parties. Nearly the entire economy of the region now revolves around this monthly event, and the activities that travellers partake in while there are commonly fodder for tourist blogs and tourism related studies. As the party itself has little to do with Thai culture and more to do with individuals partying and getting utterly beside themselves with alcohol and drugs, it is feared that backpackers are having a negative social impact on the culture of Thailand. One Thai scholar has claimed it is creating a loss of identity among the people of Koh Pangan, and it eliminates the opportunity for the Thai people to truly demonstrate their way of life to the tourists (Piyaphanee, 2011). The inherent flaw in this line of thinking, of course, is that backpackers are not tourists in their own right. They are a different sector of the hospitality industry and, as such, much be treated accordingly. Thailand, it seems, has found the ability to master this unlike most other traditional destinations of the world. While many locations globally appeal only to either traditional tourists or the backpacker sector, Thailand has effectively merged the two types of traveller’s into on homogeneous tourist sector that peacefully coexists (Teo & Leong, 2006). Backpacker’s themselves have a traditionally antagonistic view of the traditional tourists; yet in Thailand they seem willing to peacefully coexist. There are those, for example, that contend the local economy of the region does not benefit from backpackers, yet the evidence in Thailand indicates otherwise (Piayaphanee, 2011). Backpackers in Thailand are more likely than average tourists to participate in home stays. For this demographic, such a stay can last anywhere from a few days to several months. Historically, the average tourist does not deem this to worth their while, opting instead for resort style properties that are often directly owned by wealthy Thai individuals, or corporate entities. By comparison, backpackers who choose to spend their time with a local family, not only gain valuable cultural benefits out of the occasion, but they contribute directly to the poorest regions of the country. The northern part of Thailand (in the hill tribes near Myanmar), for example, is home to some of the poorest ethnic groups in all of Southeast Asia. Backpackers travelling through the region have long called this region ‘home’ for a period of time, as they live among the people, interact with them, and teach children various sports and foreign languages. As such, the economic and social impact is both evident and enormous. Even a few dollars spent in this region go a long way for a family whose average daily wage is less than $3 (Teo & Leong, 2006). In addition, the social impact of children in the region learning about different cultures, when many of them have never left the village, speaks volumes as well. In this vein, it can be demonstrated the presence of backpackers through certain regions of Thailand has certainly been beneficial for the past many decades. While some would argue that backpackers who focus only on the beach and jungle areas of Thailand are not truly experiencing Thai culture, evidence and history tells us otherwise. Backpackers in this region of Southeast Asia tend to stay longer than other regions of the world, owing to the reality of simply economics. It is simply cheaper to travel on a shoestring budget through Thailand and surrounding countries than it is in, say, Europe or Australia (Hampton, 2013). Because of this, the average backpacker will stay longer, increasing the possibility that they will embrace Thai culture and contribute some positive aspects to the country as a whole. Owing to more lenient employment restrictions in Thailand that allow native English speakers to work find work quite easily, many backpackers will even extend their stay, turning it into a working experience. Perhaps they are running low on funds, or perhaps they want to experience something new, the average backpacker in Thailand does tend to get involved in some sort of learning exchange, be it on a paid or voluntary basis, for at least some duration of their stay. Further evidence of the positive impact that backpackers are having on the country of Thailand is the presence of low budget hostels and guesthouses throughout the country. An entire infrastructure has been laid throughout most of the major cities, such as Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai that serves to facilitate the flow of backpackers. The hostel industry is flourishing in Thailand due to the presence of a year round influx of travellers looking for dorm like accommodations. While Thailand certainly experiences seasonal fluxes in tourist arrivals, backpackers tend to visit during all seasons, wishing to experience varying types of weather on their treks, while not being adversely affected. Guesthouses are also quite popular with backpackers and those on a working holiday in Thailand. Such places are not only affordable for medium to long-term stays, but they give the traveller an opportunity to interact with the local people in a more intimate setting. This affords itself well to a cultural exchange. The Thai people involved in tourist related businesses have enjoyed this type of interaction for decades. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is actively promoting backpacker tourism and, in particular, the cultural component aspect of this adventure. It is commonly felt throughout the region that this type of tourism supports the local economy because, as mentioned, the Thai people directly receive benefit without necessarily having to go through intermediary agencies or organizations. Research in the countries of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia indicate that since the mid-1990s, backpackers have been prevalent throughout the region and are heavy consumers of local food, alcohol, and coffee. Again, these are the very industries that everyday Thai’s are involved in. Backpackers do not typically visit chain restaurants or beverage shops in Thailand as they are usually priced out of their range (Atejevic & Doorne, 2005). Instead, they opt for local food sold on the street that is a fraction of the cost and give them a richer cultural experience at the same time. While it is true that backpackers tend to cause a few more problems socially than other segments of the overall tourist population, this factor has been minimized over the years as most Thai’s involved in the industry have learned to accept the ways of this particular type of traveller (Atejevic & Doorne, 2005). Further evidence of the impact that backpackers and travellers on a working holiday are having throughout Thailand is demonstrated through the concept of economic leakage. As mentioned, not only do backpackers tend to spend more money on locally owned tourist oriented businesses, they tend to allow their money to flow back right back into the communities in which they reside and work. Backpackers in Thailand will often locate in one particular area for several weeks at a time. This is an effort to truly encounter all of the sights and sounds that the area has to offer. In so doing, the economic impact on a particular area can be enormous. This type of traveller in Thailand typically visits places that the average tourist does not desire to go. In essence, they are in places that do not generate much revenue from tourism at all. In fact, these are areas that are economically separated from the rest of the country, and many of the people live in abject poverty (Paris, 2012). The presence of backpackers provides a temporary boost to the overall economic situation of the region as the travellers spend their money for weeks at a time at the same small roadside shops and restaurants. This impact is further strengthened when one or a group of backpackers decide to locate to a small village for a time to teach English. While these jobs do not typically pay much, the average individual on a working holiday in Thailand is not looking for wealth. They simply desire to embrace the culture and replenish their bank account in preparation for the next journey on their path. In the meantime, the money they earn typically gets spent back right in the very community where they reside, further providing a much needed boost to the region, and further demonstrating the enormous impact that backpackers continue to have in Thailand today. In recent years, the backpacker and long-term traveller have caught the eye of the Thailand Tourism Authority (TAT). With branches in Los Angeles and throughout Europe, they have been actively engaged in the youth tourism sector for over a decade now. In addition to home stay programs aimed at attracting the young traveller, the TAT is focused on help local Thai people develop the skills and business strategies necessary to attract this growing sector of the industry. Rather than focusing on handicrafts and other traditional type of tourist products, many local people have now been encouraged to look for other ways to culturally engage the young traveller passing through the hill tribes or villages of Thailand. If they can do that, not only will they be spreading Thai culture around the world in ways never before dreamed of, but they will be prospering themselves in a region that is among the poorest in the world. Youth tourism is a strong and vital part of the overall economic picture of Thailand will likely only continue to grow in the years to come. 4. Conclusion Young people are often a neglected part of the economy. Their purchasing power is sorely underestimated in the many industries as they are thought to either be reliant on others for their income, or they are on a limited budget to begin with. This thinking has rung true in the hospitality and tourism industry in the past, but that is changing rapidly (Reichel, 2009). The youth tourism movement is rapidly taking hold on a global based, and tourism agencies are readily jumping on board. While it is might be true that an influx of young people, many of whom who are away on their own for the first time, can bring certain social issues along with it, the reality is that the cultural and economic benefits are well worth it. An entire sub industry has now emerged catering directly to the budget and long-term traveller (Rogerson, 2007). While Australia has typically been the country mentioned that most appeals to the typical backpacker, the southeast Asian country of Thailand has become a model for effectively targeting certain sectors of their tourism industry to this one particular group. They have done this largely from a grassroots level. Local people have come together in both rural and urban areas to create an experience for the backpacker community that is really unmatched in the industry. Backpackers of most nationalities today are able to freely travel throughout Southeast Asia, at their leisure, all the while interacting with local people and enjoying the carefree lifestyle that they have long sought after. It is a type of tourism that is not for everyone, but there is certainly a growing segment of the global population that is increasingly desiring to take several months to a year away from a busy Western lifestyle and experience how others in the world carry out their daily lives. When one spends any length of time in Australia or the countries of Southeast Asia, they are likely to encounter groups of backpackers at various points on their journey. Muzaini (2006) noted that, “The presence of backpackers within Southeast Asia has become so palpable it can hardly be denied. Aside from their sheer high numbers, often visually discerned trudging the social, cultural, and tourism landscapes of countries like Thailand or Vietnam, they create a phenomenon also evidenced the proliferation of backpackers’ enclaves woven into the urban fabric of these countries” (p. 145). This trend is only likely to continue in the years to come as the infrastructure to handle such high numbers of backpackers has been laid, and more and more young people desire this break before entering what they perceive to be a life-long pursuit of career and family. Out of this movement has arisen the need to specifically cater to the needs of only backpackers. In Thailand, for example, this has resulted in entire sections of major cities (such as Chiang Mai and Bangkok) being designated unofficial backpacker zones. Kho San Road in Bangkok, by way of example, in an infamous district of the capital that is known by backpackers from around the globe. The local people in the area have developed a niche market that appeals specifically to the backpacker population and their unique needs. One will not find chain hotels or luxurious accommodation in the area. Instead, local guesthouses and hostels that are located in the area possess an average nightly rate that is a fraction of that found elsewhere in the city. In addition, restaurants and bars have discovered that by pricing their products lower than elsewhere in the city, backpackers will be more likely to stay in their particular area of town, socializing with one another, rather than venturing off into other touristy areas of the city. The backpacker gets their needs met of surviving on a tight budget, while the volume of business generated serves to counteract any decreased profit margin for the local business owner. In essence, both groups win. Moving forward, hotel and guesthouse owners will want to focus any future expansion strategies around areas that backpackers are likely to frequent. Researchers have suggested, and even tourism agencies recommend, that such lodging venues consider the particular demographic that they are catering to. Since many traditional tourists try to avoid lodging options that are geared specifically for a younger backpacker type crowd, the logistics that go into planning a marketing strategy should be considered. In Thailand, for example, many hostels will openly advertise that their services are more oriented toward the backpacker and the long-term traveller on a budget. This not only clues this particular demographic group into the reality that the facility will be geared for them, and that the staff will understand their needs, but it also gives notice to other types of travellers that they would want to look elsewhere for accommodation if the young crowd does not appeal to them. This type of responsible tourism business practice is allowing all sectors of the tourist industry to peacefully coexist and grow, particularly in Thailand. In conclusion, youth tourism is sustainable tourism. Young people are adventurous by nature and they desire to explore the world around them. With ever-increasing options for budget travel, and increasing ground transportation possibilities, the world is more connected than ever. In addition, society is shifting its values away from a ‘money means everything mentality’ and moving towards a more altruistic view of society in general. Young people today are more willing to explore and accept other cultures than generations before them were. They are willing to survive on less if it means giving them the opportunity to live amongst people different than themselves and being able to share their life as well. 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