With the recent increase in backpacker traveling there has been a corresponding worldwide growth in the backpacker market during past few years. This research aims to provide a better understanding concerning different characteristics of the backpackers in Europe particularly in UK, who usually prefer to stay at budget accommodation. Emphases have been made to extract deeper insight into their motivation, preferences and limitations in order to establish the potential of this market.
This quantitative study compares between backpackers traveled in UK, who prefer to stay in budget accommodation and who prefer to stay in hotels, in terms of attitudes and activities. A sample of backpackers (n= 528) responses were collected by means of a structured questionnaire. The current study is based on the assumption that apparent differences would exist between the two groups in terms of their motives, planning patterns and kinds of transportation and accommodation they prefer.
The present findings suggest that backpacker’s choice differ in terms of motivation and demographics status. This could be used in further research on decision-making, distribution patterns, geographical visitation, and economic impacts, which would enable marketers and managers to better, target their efforts. The study also reveals that different countries of origin are characterized by their preferences for specific travel styles. While travel styles exist across nationalities, the trip origin has a modifying influence on the specific behavior and the types’ profiles. The findings of this research also lead to the suggestion that backpackers are a potentially valuable niche market with specific and complementary advantages over other more general forms of tourism which should be seeking to develop.

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