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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Purpose – Backpackers can be found all over the world, especially in urban areas where the main
enclaves are established. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the operationalisation of the term
‘‘backpacker’’ and present a proposal to conceptualise backpackers and backpackers’ segments based
on the operational criteria available in literature to avoid incongruities among researchers.
Design/methodology/approach – Based on a literature review, this study provides a critical review of
the backpacker conceptualisation and operationalisation using amethodology divided into three phases,
a quantitative analysis based on the Scopus database and a bibliometric analysis coupled with a manual
analysis of documents (content analysis).
Findings – Substantial heterogeneity and complexity regarding the conceptualisation of backpacker
tourism and its diversified subsegments were evident. For this reason, this paper argues that backpacker
tourism can and should continue to be analysed from different perspectives, suitably framed in the
theoretical instrument constructed to identify and distinguish the different subsegments through its
operationalisation features.
Originality/value – This study provides a practical contribution to all researchers interested in the topic
of backpackers proposing the operationalisation of the term backpacker and it subsegments to avoid
disparate results and deviations. This contribution will enable the correct and objective assessment of
the operationalisation of this concept for researchers, managers and destination management
organisations, identifying exactly what phenomenon is to be studied.
Description
Keywords
Content analysis Bibliometric analysis Backpackers Definitional criteria Operationalisation of the backpacker concept
Citation
Martins, Márcio Ribeiro; Costa, Rui Augusto (2023). Backpacker conceptualisation criteria: discussion, clarification and operationalisation proposal. International Journal of Tourism Cities. eISSN 2056-5615. 9:1, p. 220-243
Publisher
Emerald