Once considered rather lowly, backpacking is fast becoming an accepted activity. Backpacking has taken to meaning a certain type of low budget holiday, taken internationally. Other factors commonly associated with backpacking have been the backpacker’s emphasis on the use of public transport and tendency to stay in youth hostels rather than the better class of hotels. Of course, the backpacker also carries all he or she needs in a backpack which identifies the traveler wherever she goes.

Many argue that a backpacker gets more out of his journey than a conventional, guide escorted tourist. This may well be true. The backpacker has the desire to soak in the local culture and mix with the crowd. Holidays taken by this class of traveler are often longer and (possibly) more rewarding.