How many 'independent' travellers take to the road each year? How has backpacking changed in the 40 years since the first hippies hit the overland trail? Is backpacking really more 'sustainable' than mass tourism? And does the old adage 'Take only photographs, leave only footprints' still apply when my tuk-tuk driver is on Facebook?!
In 2007 566,000 backpackers visited Australia spending $2.5 billion between them!
Backpacking is still more sustainable than mass tourism but as the number of people heading out onto the backapcker trail increases and as large tourism companies start to buy up hostels and other backpacking services traditionally run by local people, how much of the money we spend is going to stay in local economies?
In September 2010, More than footprints? will be joining the overland route from London to Sydney to talk to local stakeholders about backpacking. Have a look at our plans and if you've got any suggestions, can help with a phrasebook or want to support us by buying a kilometre for a quid!, please get in touch at morethanfootprints@day12.com
See you on the road...
The Day12 Project