A flashpacker is defined as a person, unusually in their mid 20s to early 30s, who travels like a backpacker but has more disposal money as well as electronics such as a camera or laptop. They usually arent walking into a hostel without a reservation. A number of hostels are opening to meet the increasing needs of these travelers. Flashpackers still have no fixed route and all the time to meander like a backpacker around but dont pinch every penny.
A lot of backpackers look down at flashpackers because they think it is not true traveling. However, backpacking and traveling is about an attitude not about how you look or what you carry. Just because they have a lot stuff doesn't mean they are less interested in learning and exploring new cultures and parts of the world.
It all comes down to what makes a traveler who he is and that is his spirit. The desire to explore new places and experience new people and open your mind to different things that might shock you. It has nothing to do with what you have in your backpack or how little you have in there. It is all about your attitude.
Were all flashpackers now anyways. According to a Hostelworld study in 2006, 21 percent of travelers travel with a laptop, 54 percent with an MP3 player, 83 percent with a mobile phone and a whopping 86 percent travel with a digital camera. Think about your last vacation- how many travelers did you see with cameras? Ipods? Laptops? Everyone carries these things now.
The reality is we all travel with "stuff" now. Everyone checks their email, has a camera, listened to their mp3s, and uses Skype. Being flashpackers allows us to stay better connected with people and document our trip. The key is to make sure you put down the camera, turn off the computer, and enjoy the culture you came to see.
The backpacker who set off with nothing to his name is getting harder to find. Many of us have a little more money and expect a little more but still have his spirit. We still seek new cultures, exotic locales, and long term travel. We still look for cheap hostels and transport. We camp on that jungle trek. The thing that has changed is that now we also want a location to plug in our camera, check our e-mail, and have a hot shower. - 16887
A lot of backpackers look down at flashpackers because they think it is not true traveling. However, backpacking and traveling is about an attitude not about how you look or what you carry. Just because they have a lot stuff doesn't mean they are less interested in learning and exploring new cultures and parts of the world.
It all comes down to what makes a traveler who he is and that is his spirit. The desire to explore new places and experience new people and open your mind to different things that might shock you. It has nothing to do with what you have in your backpack or how little you have in there. It is all about your attitude.
Were all flashpackers now anyways. According to a Hostelworld study in 2006, 21 percent of travelers travel with a laptop, 54 percent with an MP3 player, 83 percent with a mobile phone and a whopping 86 percent travel with a digital camera. Think about your last vacation- how many travelers did you see with cameras? Ipods? Laptops? Everyone carries these things now.
The reality is we all travel with "stuff" now. Everyone checks their email, has a camera, listened to their mp3s, and uses Skype. Being flashpackers allows us to stay better connected with people and document our trip. The key is to make sure you put down the camera, turn off the computer, and enjoy the culture you came to see.
The backpacker who set off with nothing to his name is getting harder to find. Many of us have a little more money and expect a little more but still have his spirit. We still seek new cultures, exotic locales, and long term travel. We still look for cheap hostels and transport. We camp on that jungle trek. The thing that has changed is that now we also want a location to plug in our camera, check our e-mail, and have a hot shower. - 16887
About the Author:
Matt is a lifelong backpacker who has spent many years traveling around the world and has written for a lot of travel publications. For more information, visit his site about how to travel.
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