Unpacking the evolution of independent travel. The rise of begpacking in Southeast Asia underscores the evolving dynamics of independent travel. As travellers navigate the fine line between exploration and entitlement, fostering understanding and promoting sustainable practices will be key to ensuring that the region remains a welcoming and vibrant destination for all.
It wasn’t long after the reopening of international borders to tourism that Thailand witnessed a resurgence of “begpackers,” underlining that independent leisure tourism was back. Begpacking, a blend of “begging” and “backpacking,” is a derogatory term used to describe individuals asking the public for money to fund their travels. You may have encountered these generally unkempt, tie-dye-clad, usually Western youths selling various items or playing musical instruments for tips near tourist attractions.
Asian destinations like Thailand, India, and Indonesia have historically been hotspots for begpackers, despite this practice being illegal in many countries. The rise of social media platforms like X, Instagram, and Facebook has also given birth to begpacking-shaming posts. But why do these travellers attract public scrutiny, and what lies ahead for them in the post-pandemic world?
Understanding Begpacking: More Than Meets the Eye
To start, it’s important to distinguish between backpackers and begpackers, as online commentators tend to blur lines and unfairly label every adventurer under 25 years of age with the begpacker tag. This probably says more about the ignorance of the keyboard warrior than the behaviour of young travellers.
In the post-pandemic summer of 2022, as international borders reopened, Thailand saw a noticeable resurgence of begpackers. These are the Western individuals you might spot near popular tourist attractions, selling handmade crafts, or playing musical instruments in hopes of earning tips. For instance, in Vietnam, I encountered a foreign traveller holding a cardboard sign that read, “I’m travelling without money. Please support my trip.” Another memorable sight was two foreign men on motorbikes with a sign asking for assistance to continue their journey to China. These vivid examples highlight the diverse ways begpackers seek support. However, in regions that can be labelled economically third-world, to witness younger westerners begging alongside locals who are in relatively more pressing economic situations, can be vexing.
The Evolution of Backpacking: From the 1980s to Today
The 1980s saw an explosion of budget travellers who began exploring Southeast Asia, armed with grubby, well-thumbed books, such as Lonely Planet’s On A Shoestring guide to Southeast Asia, which by 1992 had become the travel bible for hundreds of thousands of young travellers, this author included! These new adventurers, often recent graduates from Western universities on gap years, sought a sensory overload to quench their thirst for cultural knowledge. Despite travelling solo or in small groups, the late-80s backpacker embraced a collective spirit, beginning their journey into environmental consciousness and sustainable living, and embarking on an often testing period of self-discovery; taking the experience gained from exploring the region as a totem to shape them and their future lives forever.
Living on tight budgets, they scrimped and saved, working odd jobs in hostels or at beach bars to fund their travels. This era was a rite of passage and marked graduation into the “university of life” for many. Embracing sustainable living, they carried what few belongings they had into packs on their backs, and set off into the sunset. So the term backpacker was born.
A Demographic Shift: From Conscious Travellers to Entitled Explorers
Generally speaking, over the last 20 years Southeast Asia has undergone a demographic shift from conscious budget-strapped travellers to individuals exhibiting entitlement and privilege. That’s not to say the traditional backpacker no longer exists, it’s simply that they have been crowded out and shouted down, by a new generation of youth travellers who appear more materialistic and ego-driven than the original trailblazers. The modern-day backpacker tends to possess more disposable income and is happier to indulge in frivolous spending than those who came before them. They appear less culturally-aware and environmentally conscious, displaying ignorance toward issues like waste and what is considered right and proper in foreign lands. This is the era of individual freedom. The modern-day backpacker appears to care little for much other than themselves, with Instagram selfies proving more popular than landscape photographs of the natural environment. They are less adventurous, tucking into pizza and lager, listening to the same music they would at home, and expecting the world to understand their colloquial English as they scroll through their smartphones to keep up with the action back in their homelands. They discard their single-use plastic drink cartons and dinner trays where they sit because “everyone does it.” That’s their free choice, and they will exercise it, regardless of the effect it has on others.
Press clipping courtesy of The Guardian
Public Perception and the Rise of Begpacking-Shaming
The regression in solo travellers’ approach to foreign lands is puzzling considering the advancement of education and global understanding. Are today’s travellers not constrained by budgets, thanks to the financial support of their parents; has society become more self-centred and less respectful of other cultures; or have Southeast Asian nations shifted their focus from budget accommodations and street food, to luxury hotels and fine dining, making these countries less welcoming to budget travellers. And by default budget travellers are less welcome in old backpacker staples such as Koh Samui. It’s probably a case of a bit of everything.
For example, in Thailand, its government has spent years, and lots of money, prioritising what they call ‘quality tourists’ (for quality read wealthy). In the meantime, resort owners have replaced the rickety old wooden bungalows that used to dot the coastline of the southern islands with upscale sturdy concrete hotels, bulldozing the palm tree-fringed beaches and covering them with tarmac. Damaging the natural environment is seemingly a price worth paying to drastically increase accommodation costs. While the proliferation of single-use plastics is a major issue, Thailand produces 2 million tonnes of plastic annually, combined with the country’s lack of infrastructure to recycle and reuse plastics, this means that plastic waste finds its way into watercourses and onto Thailand’s once pristine beaches before being washed into the ocean. Reportedly, 68% of the ocean’s plastics come from Southeast Asia, with tourists adding to this problem all too regularly.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Begpacking doesn’t just attract public scrutiny; it also raises significant legal and ethical concerns. In many Southeast Asian countries, begging is illegal and can lead to issues such as illegal work or an undocumented status, complicating the traveller’s experience and potentially leading to legal repercussions. This practice blurs the lines between independent travel and vagrancy, questioning the fairness of begpacking in regions where travel still remains an unaffordable luxury for many locals.
Categorising Begpackers: Insights from Stephen Pratt
A recent article quotes Stephen Pratt, a researcher from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management in Florida. Pratt has extensively studied the begpacking phenomenon and categorises begpackers, as opposed to backpackers, into three specific groups:
- Buskers: Those who perform music or arts for tips.
- Sellers: Individuals who sell goods or services to fund their travels.
- Begging: Travellers who simply ask for money without offering anything in return.
Interestingly, according to Pratt, the public reacts differently to each group, with buskers being awarded a higher status and more likely to receive donations than those selling goods or simply begging. This distinction highlights the varied motivations and methods begpackers employ to sustain their journeys.
Pratt notes that much online criticism aimed at backpackers contains the underlying message that travellers should meet certain economic criteria before being permitted to travel. This is a dangerous opinion that suggests travel should be the preserve of the wealthy or those of higher social class. Financial statements are often required by immigration officials issuing visas anyway, reinforcing this elitist perspective.
Social Media: Generalisation and Stereotyping
Social media often serves to generalise, stereotype, and amplify the noise surrounding independent travellers, failing to distinguish between passive beggars and those who busk or sell goods. The latter group, it can be said, embodies an entrepreneurial spirit while embracing an alternative lifestyle centred around exploration and the discovery of new experiences, which should be encouraged. Buskers, on the other hand, can be said to have a skill they are putting to good effect. Are these not human traits that should be celebrated? Too often, we read or hear unhinged rants by the online community, targeting travellers who chose to fund their travels by using their skills or ingenuity. Is there anything actually wrong with this, or is it a case of envy from those who don’t possess such ingenuity?
Interestingly, much of the anger directed at young solo travellers comes from the online immigrant and expat communities in Bangkok. Some seem to fear, without offering evidence, that a solo traveller will disrupt their life or tarnish their reputation amongst their local hosts. However, backpackers typically lead modest lifestyles, opting for budget accommodations and street food, and rarely mix in the same circles as expats and more traditional two-week tourists. Quite why urban-dwelling expats should be in the slightest bit concerned that road-weary travellers should impede their lives is, at best, fanciful. Many struggle to differentiate between a beggar and a busker. Maybe there’s a hint of jealousy amongst an ageing crowd that they are no longer young enough, or fit enough, or wealthy enough to embark on such an adventure.
It’s an irony that many of the immigrant expat population in Southeast Asia are quick to jump online to criticise their own countries for allowing immigrants to settle while living out that same dream thousands of miles away from home. Local residents view the online expat community as a strange bunch brimming with misdirected anger at the best of times. If they are not shaming backpackers or citizens of their host nation, they are at each other’s throats. Yet this is in stark contrast to how local residents view alternative travellers, who often engage with foreign buskers and traders, make small purchases, and offer donations and much-needed drinks. It looks as though the online expat voice is a lone one shouting into a void when it comes to the subject of independent travel.
Societal Issues: Privilege, Entitlement, and Racial Elements
This issue of perceived privileged tourism shines a light on the inherent unfairness in the granting of passports and visas to citizens of certain nations above others. There are many people in this world that dream of travelling to other countries but are denied that opportunity. When granted an opportunity to travel through an accident of birth, is it right that one should beg for financial support to fund such travel. Is this not vagrancy by other means?
This leads us to entitlement: the cities of Southeast Asia are no longer the cheaper cost of living urban centres they once were. Rents are high in most cities, and the cost of food and energy is increasing, alongside inflation. As local residents struggle with a cost of living that is not helped by the chronically poor wages the majority of countries in Southeast Asia award their citizens, often without the employment protections afforded to many in the West, should they have to encounter travellers asking for spare change. There’s a level of entitlement on display that shows a lack of respect for the people of the host nation. Travel is an expensive luxury for many Southeast Asian residents, so why should they be expected to fund another’s travel?
Alongside entitlement, privilege and social class, there also exists an underlying racial element in the criticism of independent entrepreneurial youth travel. A long-held assumption amongst the citizens of host nations, is that white-skinned travellers from Western countries are wealthy. This overlooks the fact that not everyone from the West is rich. Individuals who support themselves through busking or selling goods and services are using ingenuity that allows them to experience parts of the world that would otherwise be financially out of bounds.
The Environmental Impact: Balancing Tourism and Sustainability
Begpacking, like all forms of travel, has environmental implications. Southeast Asia, with its stunning beaches and rich biodiversity, is increasingly grappling with issues related to waste management and environmental degradation. As mentioned, Thailand produces around 2 million tonnes of plastic annually, with a significant portion ending up polluting beaches and oceans. While begpackers themselves may not be the primary contributors, the increased foot traffic and demand for public resources can exacerbate existing environmental challenges.
To address these concerns, sustainable tourism practices are essential. Encouraging responsible behaviour among travellers, promoting eco-friendly alternatives, and implementing robust waste management systems are crucial steps towards mitigating the environmental footprint of tourism in the region.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Begpacking in Southeast Asia
As Southeast Asia eagerly flings open its post-pandemic doors and welcomes back tourists that contribute a high percentage of GDP to nations in the region, it remains uncertain whether begpackers will return to traditional hotspots or adapt to the ever-changing landscape. As things stand, independent travel is back, and this should be viewed as a good thing. Backpackers stay at family-run guesthouses, eat from independent street food stalls, and shop at mom-and-pop stores. This is vital to the local economy, with millions of local residents indirectly employed in the tourism sector but out of the clutches of multinationals. Keeping the domestic economy ticking over is why the region should embrace backpackers and never take them for granted.
Recent viral social media posts demonising begpackers have sparked renewed debates about the practice in places like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. With more and more aspects of our daily life shifting online, begpacking may become less visible as travellers turn to platforms like GoFundMe, work remotely online, or promote their subscription blogs and vlogs to fund their journeys.
Millennials are challenging traditional work patterns, merging leisure and work, and prioritising experiences over possessions. They may be more egocentric than their parents and be less fascinated by new travel experiences, due to the internet beaming virtual experiences directly into devices at home. And when arriving at a destination, the place looks exactly the same as it did on Google Maps six months ago when first planning a trip — the excitement isn’t as palpable as it once was. This shift toward an alternative lifestyle is well underway and being led by the seemingly endless technological revolution. Older generations may feel overwhelmed, and a little envious of the freedoms today’s youth now enjoy. But fighting against progress is generally a lost cause. As travel dynamics evolve, the begpacking phenomenon continues to raise complex questions about privilege, culture, and societal norms. Regardless of one’s stance, begpacking remains an intriguing topic shedding light on the ever-changing dynamics of travel in Asia and beyond. As the world appears to be conforming to global branded corporate travel, it is likely the alternative culture of non-conformists will end up challenging and changing old traditions and perceptions.
Embracing the Diversity of Independent Travel
The curious case of begpacking serves as a lens through which we can examine the complexities of modern travel in Southeast Asia. While begpackers face criticism and misconceptions, they also represent a facet of independent travel that thrives on creativity and resilience. By promoting sustainable practices, respecting cultural norms, and encouraging positive interactions between travellers and locals, we can ensure that the spirit of exploration remains vibrant and inclusive for all.
As I reflect on my experiences across Southeast Asia, I recognise that the essence of travel lies not in the means of funding but in the connections forged and the stories shared. Whether you identify as a backpacker, begpacker, or any other form of independent traveller, embracing diversity and fostering mutual respect can enrich the travel experience for everyone involved.
Suggestions for Supporting Travellers Responsibly
For those genuinely in need, there are responsible ways to seek assistance. Travellers can contact family, friends, or employers through services like Western Union. Alternatively, reaching out to their embassy or consulate can provide emergency support without relying on public generosity. These options are not only more reliable but also respect the boundaries and resources of local communities.
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