As Ateljevic and Doorne illustrate in Chapter Four of this volume, most previous studies of backpacking have tended to be snapshots of activity in specific places at particular moments in time. A more comprehensive view of backpacking can be obtained by undertaking a transnational study with a common methodology. This can generate comparisons of backpacking in different regions and provide a tool for conducting comparative research over time. This chapter presents the results of the first global transnational survey of young independent travellers and serves to contextualise backpacking within the wider travel market. Later in the chapter specific research on the social construction of backpacking is presented.