Backpacking has long been a rite of passage for travelers. Could Covid bring it to an end forever?

For nearly 70 years, backpacking has been a rite of passage for young adventurers.

Whether you're traveling the globe or exploring a specific region, country, or city, setting off with just a few belongings and hopping from place to place remains an exciting and desirable way to seek out fun and adventure.

Unfortunately, the border restrictions put in place due to Covid-19 have kept most backpackers from traveling freely, and many are eager to get back on the road. But even as the world reopens, they may face challenges in finding their place in the new travel landscape.

While long-distance travel dates back centuries, backpacking as we know it didn’t really take off until the 1950s and 60s.

An overland route connecting Europe to Southeast Asia, known as the “hippie trail,” became a favorite among young travelers on a budget eager to expand their horizons.

The trail's success inspired the publication of the first Lonely Planet guidebook, “Across Asia on the Cheap,” in 1973, written by founders Tony and Maureen Wheeler.

Though backpacking has certainly changed over the years, it typically involves traveling from one place to another, staying in hostels, picking up odd jobs along the way, and connecting with other like-minded adventurers.

“Backpacking is a timeless tradition,” says Kash Bhattacharya, founder of BudgetTraveller.org and author of “The Grand Hostels: Luxury Hostels of the World,” in an interview with Dinogo.

“It’s simple and accessible. I’ve been backpacking for 20 years, and the sense of connection, curiosity, and shared humanity remains just as strong, no matter my age.”

One of the main draws of this style of travel is its affordability. Backpackers can sleep in hostel dorms at a fraction of the cost of hotels, and the rise of budget airlines has made travel accessible to many who once thought it was financially out of reach.

While the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines in countries like the US and the UK is a positive development, an increasing number of destinations now require proof of a negative PCR test either on departure or arrival.

Such testing requirements are likely to become a significant expense for those planning to visit multiple destinations where tests aren't provided for free.

The backpacker dollar

Can this budget-friendly, independent style of travel really survive in an era of social distancing, testing, rising flight prices, and ever-changing travel restrictions?

There’s no question that the absence of backpackers has had a significant impact on the destinations that attract large numbers of these travelers.

While backpacking is known for being an affordable way to travel independently, it contributes a substantial amount of revenue to the global tourism industry.

Southeast Asia has long been a top destination for backpackers, ever since the days of the hippie trail, and Thailand remains one of the region’s most popular spots.

Each year, over 20 million people visit Bangkok, and most of them end up on Khao San Road, one of the most iconic streets for backpackers.

This vibrant street, packed with bars, restaurants, hostels, and street vendors, used to be swarming with lively travelers at every turn.

However, Khao San Road remained largely empty for months after Thailand shut its borders in April.

Although business is gradually picking up, it remains slow due to the ongoing absence of tourists and the fact that many hotels are still closed.

According to Phattiyakul, international tourists make up at least 90% of the visitors to Khao San Road.

Things have been so uncertain without the usual crowds that authorities have launched a campaign called “Go to Khao San 2435” to entice more locals to visit, a strategy that would have seemed unimaginable just a year ago.

Unwanted visitors?

But the question remains: Do cities like Bangkok, and other destinations once flooded with tourists before the pandemic, actually want backpackers to return?

Over the years, budget travelers have, perhaps unfairly, gained a reputation for bad behavior, and destinations like Australia, another popular backpacking spot, have taken steps to discourage them from visiting.

In October 2019, a tax imposed on travelers from certain countries, including the UK, US, Germany, and Japan, was ruled illegal due to treaties between those countries and Australia.

“Most destinations are now prioritizing high-revenue market segments,” Denis Tolkach, an assistant professor at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, told Dinogo last year.

“Backpackers are typically known for venturing to off-the-beaten-path locations, buying local goods, and connecting with residents. But in large groups, they can sometimes damage the local environment, culture, and community through partying and disruptive behavior.”

Given this, could the post-Covid era lead destinations that have grown tired of budget travelers to shut them out for good?

Stuart Nash, New Zealand's tourism minister and a key figure for the country's tourism, a major destination for backpackers, hinted that this might be the direction the country is taking by stating they would target more “high-net-worth individuals” in the future.

His statement was widely interpreted as a slight toward backpackers, many of whom enter the country on working holiday visas and take on jobs like fruit picking and farm work.

However, Jenni Powell, chair of the Backpacker Youth and Adventure Tourism Association, emphasizes that backpackers make numerous valuable contributions to New Zealand, and their absence has been deeply felt.

“Before Covid, international youth visitors accounted for roughly 25% of New Zealand’s total arrivals and contributed about 1.5 billion New Zealand dollars to the economy,” she shared with Dinogo.

“So, the lack of backpackers is a major loss for us. We’re eagerly waiting for the borders to reopen safely,” she added.

Powell explains that younger travelers tend to explore more destinations across the country and stay for longer periods, which is beneficial for seasonal tourism growth.

“The value of this market extends beyond just economic impact,” she adds. “They also contribute positively to the environment, society, and enrich us culturally.”

New Zealand has been relatively effective in controlling coronavirus outbreaks, with social distancing and mask mandates not being widely enforced, which is likely to make the country more appealing to travelers.

“In a post-Covid world, or even one where Covid still exists, New Zealand presents a very attractive travel destination for people seeking to regain a sense of normality,” Powell says.

She forecasts that budget travel will be the first to bounce back once international travel resumes, as “millennial travelers are highly resilient in times of crisis.”

Businesses have been devastated.

Backpacking and hostels are closely tied, so it's no surprise that the hostel industry has suffered greatly due to the lack of backpackers during the pandemic.

While safety protocols differ from one location to another, most businesses have had to ramp up precautions, such as installing acrylic barriers at check-in counters, providing hand sanitizers, and limiting capacity to help ensure social distancing among travelers.

For the vast majority of businesses, however, the challenge hasn't been creating more space—it's been the struggle to fill empty beds.

The Youth Hostel Association (England and Wales), an international non-profit with over 150 properties catering to schools, families, couples, and backpackers, marked its 90th anniversary in 2020. However, the past year has been unforgettable, though not for positive reasons.

“So far this year, our income is down by around 75%,” says James Blake, CEO of YHA.

Despite having weathered World War II and the 2001 foot-and-mouth outbreak in the UK, Blake acknowledges that this is the toughest challenge they've ever faced.

“We’ve never had to shut down the entire network before,” Blake explains.

Many small, independent hostels have been forced to temporarily close their doors, with some even shutting down for good.

Sadly, Singapore's Mitraa Inn became one of the latter, closing its doors in June after 15 years of operation.

In an interview with Channel News Asia Insider, co-owner Viji Jagadeesh shared how she had to pawn her jewelry to raise funds for canceling bookings and even struggled to pay the hostel’s internet bill.

“Covid-19 is devastating. It’s pushing many hostels out of business,” says Bhattacharya. “The ones suffering the most are the smaller, independent hostels, which in many ways are the heart of the industry.”

“These hostels are more than just places to stay. They represent communities in every city they serve.”

One example is Will Hatton, the founder of The Broke Backpacker blog, who organizes backpacker adventure tours to Pakistan, Iran, and Kyrgyzstan. He had also been working on launching a digital nomad co-working hostel in Bali before the pandemic struck.

In recent months, Hatton has had to cancel his planned 2020 tours, issue refunds to customers, and offer financial support to his local partners overseas.

“I won’t sugarcoat it – it’s been extremely difficult for those of us in the travel industry,” he shares with Dinogo. “All of my projects have been experiencing significant losses.”

“However, I believe the worst is behind us now. Domestic travel is on the rise, a vaccine is nearing approval, and the desire to travel remains strong for many people.”

Hatton made the decision to delay the construction of his new hostel several months ago and now plans to open it in March 2021.

In May, Bhattacharya launched a campaign called 'Adopt a Hostel', urging travelers to support their favorite hostels by purchasing gift cards for future stays or by making donations.

One of the hostels featured in the campaign was The Beehive in Rome, managed by the husband-and-wife team of Linda Martinez and Steve Brenner, along with around 200 other hostels.

Linda and Steve opened The Beehive 21 years ago after moving to Rome from the United States.

Their business model relies on maintaining near full occupancy for eight to ten months of the year to make up for the winter season when bookings drop to just 50%.

“This summer, our best performance was just 10%, and that was only for a couple of months. Now, there’s almost no one here, except for one or two long-term guests,” Brenner shared with Dinogo.

To stay afloat, the couple has diversified into selling bagels, a small-scale venture they had started before the pandemic, now in partnership with a local pizzeria.

“We had to create a completely new business since we had no guests, and the hostel was essentially inactive,” says Martinez.

Although they’ve adopted all the necessary safety protocols to protect themselves and their guests, they admit that adjusting to the new, socially distanced way of interacting has been challenging.

“The whole approach feels at odds with the experience we want to offer,” Brenner explains.

“The main appeal of staying in a hostel is the social experience, the chance to feel connected to a local community,” he adds.

“Now, when we do have guests, we are legally required to maintain physical distance. We can’t offer the usual activities, like communal dinners and cooking classes,” says Martinez.

While most guests at The Beehive during the pandemic have been understanding and followed the new rules, some have expressed disappointment over the lack of regular activities.

They’ve even received some negative feedback from guests who were frustrated about having to wear masks, and a few mentioned they were disappointed by the lack of other visitors.

Silver lining

Despite the challenges, both Martinez and Brenner have been encouraged by the rise of 'slow travel' among some travelers.

“The travelers we've seen lately are quite fascinating – they aren't just ticking off a list of destinations,” says Brenner.

The couple believes the pandemic’s effects may lead to a shift, where travelers begin to embrace a more relaxed, thoughtful approach to exploring the world.

“We've had guests who are taking their time to truly soak in the city, rather than rushing around trying to check off sights,” Martinez adds.

“It brought us back to the early days when we first opened. We haven’t seen that type of traveler in a long time,” says Martinez.

“I would be delighted if those are the kinds of travelers who continue to visit, should people start embracing this slower, more thoughtful approach to travel again,” she adds.

Hatton shares a similar view, noting that one of the few upsides of the pandemic has been the opportunity for crowded tourist spots like Bangkok, Rome, and Bali to rethink their tourism strategies.

“The pandemic has brought a few unexpected benefits – it’s allowed places like Bali to enhance their infrastructure and take a break from the overwhelming number of tourists that usually flood in each month,” Hatton says.

“It’s given countries the chance to reconsider how they can make their tourism industries more sustainable and eco-conscious moving forward.”

Hatton remains hopeful for the future of the travel industry, believing that once people can freely roam the globe again, they’ll develop a deeper appreciation for travel.

“I hope people will no longer take travel for granted,” he says. “That they’ll take a moment to pause and truly experience their surroundings, rather than just viewing it all through a screen and chasing likes on social media.”

“Covid has given the world a chance to slow down and reset. I’m optimistic that we’ll emerge from this stronger, wiser, and more mindful in our travels,” he reflects.

“I deeply miss backpacking and am eager to get back on the road when the time is right,” Hatton adds.