Backpacking 'moving upmarket'

An increasing number of backpackers are spending more on their travels to ensure they have all the best experiences each destination can offer.

This is according to Tom Hall of Lonely Planet, who said that more backpackers are taking the time to save up significant sums of money before jetting off so that they can fit more activities into their getaways.

He added that this is becoming more and more the case as longer holidays fall out of vogue in favour of shorter breaks as the pressure to go into work or higher education more quickly increases.

"As much as it's about going to the destination, it's about the experiences that you have out there and sometimes they cost a little bit of money. In some cases, backpackers' tastes are moving a little bit upmarket and people are prepared to splurge a little bit," Mr Hall commented.

Recent research by InsureandGo revealed that the average backpacker spends more than £3,760 on their travels, with 8.3 per cent of these holidaymakers splashing out over £10,000.

• Five million 'to book soon for 2009'
• Brits 'turning into holiday snobs'
• Airport passengers asked to air views for CAA survey
• One in 10 holiday couples 'end up walking down the aisle'
• Air-conditioned bus shelters launched in Dubai
• Holidaymakers 'to save money by tipping less'
• Phelps heads from Beijing to Algarve
• Virgin Atlantic boosted by business class flights
• Travellers 'support family areas on flights'
• UK airport strikes called off