Encountering begpackers

Abstract

Begpacking' refers to the practice of tourists begging, busking or selling trinkets at their travel destinations to finance their travel. Instances of begpacking have recently caused condemnation in mainstream and social media, fuelled by the perception that begpackers come from the rich Western world to take advantage of host communities in Asia. We undertake exploratory research of this phenomenon via qualitative research with begpackers in situ, combining this with social experiments in which a researcher-begpacker simulates begpacking to seek out reactions from the host community. We use our findings to characterise and conceptualise begpackers, and to investigate the interaction between begpackers and the host community. Finally, we discuss differences in perception of the phenomenon by media, the local community and the begpackers themselves.

Understanding backpacker sustainable behavior using the tri-component attitude model

“…Even at a 6% decline, the Australian backpacker tourism market, for example, accounted for AUS$4.1 billion in March 2019 according to Tourism Research Australia [TRA] (TRA, 2019). The niche also captures unique tourism trends, including "gap year" tourism and "begpack" both of which convey solipsism and novelty (Bernstein, 2019;Luzecka, 2016;Tolkach et al, 2019). Backpackers are an important tourist group in many developing countries, including Ghana, due to their interest in consuming local products and services in their attempt to spend little money at a destination and interact with host communities.…”

How Much Do They Make? A Systematic Review of Income Generated From Begging

“…8 Jafri (2005) 9 is a nonacademic source not included. Tolkach et al (2019) 10 was also not included in the final studies because the authors reported the income of persons who use begging to finance international vacations. These “beg-packers” are unique from ordinary beggars in numerous ways, including their advanced educations and previous international travel experience.…”

“…This study does not use a simulation model style (see Adriaenssens & Hendrickx, 2011; Muñoz & Potter, 2014) despite the potential benefits of doing so. By using the estimated income from one hour of panhandling (Adriaenssens & Hendrickx, 2011; Bose & Hwang, 2003; Goldberg, 1995), the number of hours panhandled per day (Adriaenssens & Hendrickx, 2011; Malik & Roy, 2012; Tolkach et al, 2019) and the number of days per week (Goldstein, 1993) or per month (DeBeck et al, 2007) spent panhandling, it is possible to estimate an expected daily, weekly, or monthly income from the activity. Because each study reporting income is so varied, it is believed that misspecification of the model is likely.…”

“… 10. Tolkach et al (2019) found that respondents ( n = 8) earned an average of HK$300 per day in 2017–2018 currency though they found a large range both hourly and daily. …”

From its drifter past to nomadic futures: future directions in backpacking research and practice

“…The furious reaction to ‘begpackers’ prior to COVID-19 (Tolkach et al, 2019), for example, led to accusations of cultural superiority and entitlement, rather than appraising the practice as a common practice amongst some contemporary nomads, as well their drifter predecessors. Rather than moralise about the practice, Cohen (1973: 95) noted how his idealised drifter sought to see the world as it really is through ‘begging, scavenging and “sharing” food and lodgings with friends and acquaintances’ (Cohen, 1973: 95), while Richard Neville (1970: 210) boasted that he learned to say ‘I have no money’, in seven different languages.…”