Research shows adventure seekers now prefer that little bit of extra comfort. 75% now admit extra luxuries make them more like 'flashpackers'. Wine tasting and boutique hotels have been added to backpacking. Modern day backpackers are professionals that have new expectations.
Backpacking around the globe on a budget has evolved into 'flashpacking' as working professionals live it up on holiday, suggests new research.
A poll of 1,000 working professionals aged from 35 to 54 found that more than three-quarters (78 per cent) would define their travelling style as that of a 'flashpacker' - an adventure traveller that desires style and comfort.
With improvements in the state of the UK economy during 2014 and forecasts seemingly showing further progress into 2015, those working professionals that have advanced up the career ladder are now wanting to enjoy their hard earned cash by travelling abroad in style. The majority of those who took part in the survey commissioned by The Flash Pack group travel company noted that they felt they had grown out of the 'backpacker' way of life - denouncing noisy dormitories and cheap eats for trendy boutique hotels, wine tasting and authentic 'foodie' experiences.
Travel experts say the changes are reflective of a backpacking generation that has grown up
championing responsible tourism, supporting local business and authentic travel to the backdrop of a
technological revolution. Research has suggested adventure seekers now prefer added comforts when
they go backpacking. Radha Vyas, co-founder of The Flash Pack, said: 'We are seeing more and more
people opting for a smarter, experience-led and more stylish travel option. 'Flashpacking is not just a
travel trend, but more significantly it's a travel lifestyle that takes all the bits you loved about backpacking
in your twenties and gives it a grown-up, luxurious edge. Those that assimilate themselves with this trend
are the modern day backpackers with new priorities' She said when contrasted against the other
22 per cent that defined their travel style as that of a backpacker, it highlights an important evolution in
attitude within this age range.
Miss Vyas added: 'For those busy working professionals that travelled in their 20s as a backpacker, they
want their travel with that same flavour of adventure but with added style and culture.
'However, these professional travellers face logistical issues such as a potential lack of travelling
companions and restricted travel time due to annual leave that make it a lot more difficult to squeeze an
authentic travel experience as compared to the freedom of twenty-something on a gap year.
'The Flash Pack is designed with these restrictions of the working professional in mind. For example, our
'three week gapper' packs a gap-year style experience into a realistic time frame, eliminating the necessity
of taking a sabbatical, career break or even quitting work altogether.'
Source:
www.dailymail.co.uk
By John Hutchinson for Mailonline
Do the following exercise about backpackers and flashpackers.
