Backpackers a key market, hoteliers say

(Bangkok Post, Thailand) By Chadamas Chinmaneevong

Jun. 18--While Thai tourism authorities are increasingly focusing on wealthy tourists, the backpacker segment continues to grow strongly and should not be ignored, according to Victor Pang, vice-president for development of hotel chain Accor.

The number of low-cost, young backpacker tourists was rising worldwide, particularly from countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and even Thailand, he said.

Mr Pang, speaking on Friday at a Bangkok Bank seminar on tourism trends, noted that low-cost airline traffic in the region was rising 20 percent per year, signalling the strength of the backpacker market.

Asia is a prime destination for many Western backpackers due to low costs and interesting cultural attractions in countries like Burma, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand.

"Backpackers today don't necessarily have long, unkempt hair, dirty clothes and little money. Now they are mostly smart, well educated, and have greater resources to purchase goods at a reasonable price," Mr Pang said.

nothing like spotting emerging trends early .............................

they probably read (and the ripped off) the conclusions of an Australian Federal Government report on this from 2002 which was produced by Tourism Australia. The basic conclusion was that backpackers to Australia on average spent more money during their trips than the 5 day/7 night tourist. The money was also better spent as it went into local businesses as well.

ya good mate ,

the original article links that report ....................

No kidding. He is a few decades late

Backpackers, in general, are young and have money that they tend to spend locally, instead of in some big chain hotel that only benefits the corporation.

Gap year kids out of the UK are prevalent as are people who've saved up for a couple of years in order to have the trip of their dreams; around the world. Many people are on their way to Australia to work for a year, or on their way back. Same goes for the Aussies headed to the UK, Thailand is a great stopping point for these people. A very small percentage are smelly, dirty and dreadlocked.

ya good mate ,

the original article links that report ....................

thank you, thank you. I do my best

Now if we could only get Thailand to do some of these studies......

Nice try samran, but rich people aren't interested in backpackers and the corruption from a locally owned backpacker place is much less than from a large 5 star resort

Nice try samran, but rich people aren't interested in backpackers and the corruption from a locally owned backpacker place is much less than from a large 5 star resort

thoroughly agree SBK, in principal.

I forgot to mention though, that the report I quoted also said that the young backpackers often returned later in life as cashed up tourists who stay at more high end resorts. So I guess, if you are a corrupt politician or official with a long term view of these things, its in your interests to invite the backpacker, but you'll have to wait another decade for your pay off!

Backpackers still probably spend more than the average Thai (when they are on holiday).

Absolutely chuchok, my experience with middle class Thais has been very poor. The thing to remember about backpackers is their money all goes back into the local economy, and by local, I mean the place they are staying, not Thailand's economy. They support small businesses and allow family run places to stay just that.

that's the problem with these quality tourists ,

their money is home before 'em .

Backpackers who have an enjoyable time and leave with a good impression also return for honeymoons, family holidays, and to do business. They'll also talk incessantly to others about what a great time they had. So called "quality tourists" who get sold a trip to Thailand but aren't expecting the poor infrastructure in many areas will just come home with complaints because they tend to be more fickle than backpackers.

Backpackers who have an enjoyable time and leave with a good impression also return for honeymoons, family holidays, and to do business. They'll also talk incessantly to others about what a great time they had. So called "quality tourists" who get sold a trip to Thailand but aren't expecting the poor infrastructure in many areas will just come home with complaints because they tend to be more fickle than backpackers.

agree with cdnvic over the years those so called backpackers have come back with wives and kids in tow........