Pearce, Philip (2007) Sustainability research and backpacker studies: intersections and mutual insights. In: Hannam, Kevin, and Ateljevic, Irena, (eds.) Backpacker Tourism: concepts and profiles. Tourism and Cultural Change 13 . Channel View Publications, Clevedon, UK, pp. 38-53.

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Abstract

The potential for sustainability research and backpacker studies to influence one another is explored in this chapter. Each area of analysis is considered with a particular focus on the conceptual development and style of the work and its current directions. The questions about the potential for influencing future studies are asked in both directions viz. how can backpacker research contribute to sustainability discussions and how can sustainability analysis shape research into backpacking? It will be argued that there are a number of easily identified contributions in each direction, in particular more studies of the impacts of backpacker behaviour and more studies of the corporate sustainability status of backpacker businesses. The possibilities for mutual influence extend beyond these direct liaisons. In particular the kinds of insights about non-compliance behaviour undertaken in backpacker health offer insights into non-compliance in the sustainability domain. Importantly this kind of work marries two territories of backpacker studies - sociological and utilitarian or market-oriented routes. Additionally the potential to create global archives of studies for meta-analysis and data mining can also be identified as a consequence of considering the intersection of backpacker studies and sustainability research. Overall the mutual insights that a joint consideration of these two areas generates builds the promise of enlivening and even transforming future backpacker studies.

Item ID:	2968
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN:	978-1-84541-077-3
Keywords:	sustainability research; backpacker studies; backpacker behaviour
Additional Information:	This publication does not have an abstract. The first paragraph of the Introduction is displayed as the abstract.
Date Deposited:	09 Dec 2009 01:13
FoR Codes:	15 COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT, TOURISM AND SERVICES > 1506 Tourism > 150606 Tourist Behaviour and Visitor Experience @ 100%
SEO Codes:	90 COMMERCIAL SERVICES AND TOURISM > 9003 Tourism > 900302 Socio-Cultural Issues in Tourism @ 100%
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