Travel writers and writers who travel: Nomadic icons for the backpacker subculture?

Wilson, Julie; Richards, Greg

Abstract

Backpackers are becoming an increasingly emblematic part of the global travel scene and backpacker enclaves are more and more visible in tourist destinations. This paper analyses the role of iconic literary nomads – both travel writers and writers who travel – in the shaping of ideologies specific to the international backpacker subculture. Adopting Schein’s (1985) concept of culture as consisting of the ‘layers’ of assumptions, norms, rituals, heroes/heroines and symbols, the writings of seven ‘literary nomads’ are evaluated and contextualised within different ideologies and practices connected with the backpacker ‘scene’. The paper underlines the visibility of backpacker ideologies in the work of the famous iconic writers analysed. © 2004 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2004
• Journal: Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change
• Print ISSN: 1476-6825
• Electronic ISSN: 1747-7654
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 2
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 46-68
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14766820408668168
• Keywords: independent travel, backpacker subculture(s), travel writing
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1062861
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14766820408668168
• Additional Information: Additional Information : Equal co-author. The article analyses the role of iconic literary nomads in the shaping of ideologies specific to the international backpacker subculture. It is based on research funded by the Royal Geographical Society / HSBC Holdings (Small Research Grant) and the Royal Society Dudley Stamp Memorial Trust (research grant).