Introduction - Tourism and Trails: Cultural, Ecological and Management Issues - page 7

Tour circuits
Tour circuits are another type of route that has been largely overlooked in
the travel literature. These courses are important in understanding tourism
growth, regional dynamics and linkages, as well as traditions of market
demand for a region and its products. While these are not designated, or offi-
cially recognized, linear routes as the trails and pathways heretofore discussed
are, they are still important in that they are circuits that have evolved over the
years into preferred networks that are traveled independently or on a coach
and tour package. Backpackers and other independent travelers have com-
monly followed popular routes in different parts of the world. Drifter tourism
has mythologized places and generated a 'mobile subculture of international
backpackers [who utilize] an almost entirely separate tourism infrastruc-
ture . . . [and] follow distinctive trails of their own' (Westerhausen & Macbeth,
2003: 71). Many of these 'Gringo trails' or 'Hippy trails' can be found all over
the world, but particularly in developing regions (Hampton, 2013).
'Drifting' through Southeast Asia is popular among backpacker tourists
on three to six month journeys. Among the most favored backpacker destina-
tions on these travel circuits are Bangkok, Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi and
Chiang Mai (Thailand); Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng and Vientiane (Laos);
Hanoi, Dong Ha and Hué (Vietnam); Phnom Penh and Siem Reap/Angkor
Wat (Cambodia); and Penang, Pangkor and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
(Backpacker Guides, 2012). These are all considered 'must-do' destinations
on the Southeast Asian backpacker circuit and include a mix of culture,
nature and beaches. Similarly, a popular drifter/nomad circuit in Australia is
known as the Harvest Trail, where backpackers travel around the country
along known circuits, harvesting fruit and vegetables when they come in
season in exchange for cash, places to sleep and food to eat (Cooper et al. ,
2004). This is touted as a work-as-you-go method of traveling and seeing
Australia. Likewise, the 'Hummus Trail' is an informally prescribed network
of sites, cities, villages, guesthouses and restaurants that are frequented by
Israeli youth traveling through India and where there are many services
catering specifically to the Israeli market. This provides a sense of solidarity
among Israeli backpackers and in some ways provides the comforts of home
in a very different environment (Enoch & Grossman, 2010). The medieval
Grand Tour is sometimes said to be the ancient forerunner to today's
backpacker tourism; Grand Tour circuits also included well-trodden tour cir-
cuits and must-see destinations in Italy (e.g. Rome, Venice, Florence and
Naples) and other parts of Europe (Brodsky-Porges, 1981; Towner, 1985).
In addition to backpacker routes, there are also recognized tour circuits
used by tour companies and individual travelers on a regular basis and these
take on many spatial forms including day trips, route trips, and multi-nodal
trips (Zillinger, 2007). Many of these are based on point-to-point networks
of capital cities, and in most cases these link together famous sites that are