Backpacker tourism in South Africa: its role in an uneven tourism space economy

Abstract

English: This paper focuses on the recent proliferation of backpacker establishments in South Africa and their potential contribution to development. Despite the rapid expansion of backpacker hostels, little is known about this industry in South Africa. The research reported in the paper seeks to address the absence of academic reflection on backpacker tourism, particularly in terms of its impact on development. It is suggested that, on the whole, backpacker tourists and backpacker hostels can make a valuable contribution towards the development of the South African tourism system in general and towards economic development in particularAfrikaans: Die artikel fokus op die onlangse toename in die rugsaktoerismebedryf in SuidAfrika en potensiële bydraes tot ontwikkeling. Ten spyte van die vinnige vermeerdering van rugsakherberge is weinig oor hierdie industrie in Suid-Afrika bekend. Die artikel spreek die gebrek aan akademiese insette oor rugsaktoerisme aan, veral ten opsigte van ontwikkelingsaspekte. Die gevolgtrekking is dat rugsaktoeriste en rugsakherberge ’n waardevolle bydrae kan lewer ten opsigte van die ontwikkeling van die Suid-Afrikaanse toerismesisteem in die algemeen en ekonomiese ontwikkeling in die besonder.