The purpose of this study is to examine the emerging flashpacker sub-culture in
relation to the backpacker culture. Cultural Consensus Analysis is employed to examine
the potential cultural divergence between flashpackers and non-flashpackers. A mixed-mode
dual-frame sampling procedure was employed for data collection, as surveys were administered
through Facebook backpacker-groups and in hostels in Cairns, Australia. The results
indicate that flashpacker and non-flashpacker groups have a shared cultural understanding
of backpacking. In addition to the conceptual clarity of the emerging flashpacker, this study
also provides some interesting insights into contemporary backpacker culture and the continuing
convergence of physical travel with information and communication technologies.
Keywords: flashpacking, social media, cognitive anthropology, facebook, information technology.
2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.