Þ How long do they stay?
· The average length of the last main trip is considerable – 63 days on average. Those calling
themselves ‘backpackers’ travelled for longer (an average of 74 days).
· The longest duration trips are taken in Australasia (128 days), North America (90 days) and
the Indian sub-continent (84 days) and the shortest duration trips are taken in Europe (34 days).
Þ How much do they spend?
· Within the destinations the average spend is relatively low at under US$20 per day. However,
the total average spend in the destination is high at US$1,200 per trip (and, including travel
costs, rises to almost US$1,900 per trip).
· The average total spend is highest in Australasia, South America and Southeast Asia.
· Those calling themselves ‘backpackers’ spend the most overall on their trips (an average
total spend of US$2,200), which is explained by their tendency to travel for longer.
· There is a lot of importance placed upon saving up as well as working during the trip for that
‘once in a lifetime’ experience, as their budgets are often very close to their annual income.