Australia relies on backpackers to boost tourism

It's almost gone, that old familiar sight. Less than a year ago, whenever I strolled around Sydney's magnificent harbour, I was met with the familiar picture - hundreds of excited Japanese tourists rushing about, their cameras on the ready. They'd rush to pose merrily on the steps of the Sydney opera house and then quickly scuttle around for their photo opportunity against the backdrop of the Sydney harbour bridge.

But Japan's in deep recession and so is most of the world. So traditional tourism has taken a big hit globally. Our personal desire to see how the other half of the world lives has been put on the backburner. The propensity of people everywhere is to preserve their jobs and conserve their savings.

However, there's another bunch of global nomads who are still active travellers and I notice that Australia has set its focus on that people pool. There's no doubt that other countries also would benefit from shifting their focus to meet the needs of these non-traditional, distinctive travellers.

Gen X and Gen Y, cocooned in their confidence and the audacity of youth, are still exploring the world. They're not burdened down by declining stock markets or diminishing retirement savings like older people are. They have their full lives ahead of them and refuse to waste any of it worrying too much about a few months of economic setbacks. They backpack, and as is well known, backpackers generally spend what they earn. "Have good deals &. will travel," is their cry.

Australia's overall visitor numbers fell slightly during January and February this year - down 3 per cent from the same period the previous year. While there was a drop in visitors from the northern hemisphere, Japan and Korea, increased visitor numbers from the Middle East, North Africa, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and India made up some of the shortfall. An estimated 75,000 tourists came from the Middle East and North Africa during the 12 months ending February, 2009.

While the exact number of backpacker visitors has not been extracted from overall visitor numbers, Australia's travel industry is convinced that backpacker visitors to the country offer Australia many strong benefits.

Unlike traditional tourists, these young backpackers roam much further, going well outside the main cities. This spreads their tourism dollars across even regional centres, and cultivates tourism in those further flung areas. I'd like to believe that there's a clear benefit for any country to have its visitors explore more of the land.

More importantly, unlike traditional tourists, backpackers are active promoters and marketers of the places they visit, as long as their experiences have been good and they've been well treated. They network actively on Facebook, blog the internet with their opinions and upload exciting pictures of their adventures. They are true travel ambassadors. Other backpackers feed on their endorsements - opting to rely on the impressions of one of their own instead of being talked to by a glitzy travel agent website. Undoubtedly, the current economic downturn has thrown up good deals for them - airfares are down significantly, accommodation, food and drinks are cheaper.

Like any other country, Australia would like backpackers to blog the country as a "happening" place, geared to meet their needs (and their needs are simple).

Firstly, good quality, good value accommodation - inexpensive and of a high hygienic standard - a low cost range of accommodation including hostels and dormitories with an emphasis on easy and frequent interaction between the guests. Youngsters love to make new friends, trade notes about their adventures, and talk about life in their countries of origin.

Next, convenient and inexpensive transport facilities (given their smaller budgets), value-for-money meals and of course, safety at their place of accommodation and while travelling around. Any country that meets these requirements while offering them exciting things to do and places to explore, will win their favour.

Speaking to a few backpacking visitors, I believe they do enjoy what Australia offers. The bigger cities offer them the vibrancy of a robust, outdoor way of life. They appreciate Australia's good weather, truly multicultural cuisines, good entertainment precincts, a plethora of sport, and beautiful beaches.

Many flock to the city fringes and surroundings, enjoying adventure sport - abseiling, bush walking and hiking, surfing, scuba diving, bungee jumping, mountain biking ... there's plenty to accommodate individual cravings.

I believe the world is going to see more young, global itinerants - their backpacks replacing the traditional tourists' cameras. Let the exuberance of youth and the spirit of adventure prevail!

Eapen Verghese is a Sydney-based business consultant who writes on Australian affairs.