Socio-Cultural Impacts of Backpacking in Rural Destinations with an Emphasize on Local Residents’ Attitudes (Case Study: Darak Village)*
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Persian translation of this paper entitled: Tourism of Culture, 2(5), 61-76 / Summer 2021 DOI: 10.22034/toc.2021.285720.1048 اثرات اجتماعی-فرهنگی کوله گردی در مناطق روستایی با تأکید بر نگرش جامعۀ محلی )مطالعۀ موردی: روستای َد َرک( is also published in this issue of journal Original Research Article Socio-Cultural Impacts of Backpacking in Rural Destinations with an Emphasize on Local Residents’ Attitudes (Case Study: Darak Village)* Motahareh Abbasi1, Zahra Nadalipour2** 1. M. A. Student in Tourism Development Planning, Faculty of Tourism, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran. 2. Assistant Professor, Faculty of Tourism, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran. Received: 10/05/2021 Accepted: 01/07/2021 Available online: 23/07/2021 Abstract| Backpacking tourism is a type of adventure tourism that has increased significantly in recent years. Backpackers are tourists who travel with only one backpack and the lowest possible budget. Their target destinations are lesser-known areas and nature. Backpackers travel to discover new destinations and communicate with locals to better understand them. They play an effective role in identifying and introducing lesser-known tourist destinations. Although choosing a backpacking travel style by young people in Iran is increasing, less research still exists in this field and its effects on the tourism industry of Iran and the local community has not been investigated. This study aims to recognize the attitudes of rural residents towards the phenomenon of backpacking and identify its socio-cultural effects on rural host communities. For this purpose, Darak village located in Chabahar city of Sistan and Baluchistan province was selected as a case study. To collect the required data, the interview method was used. Gathered data were then analyzed by using the content analysis method. Findings indicate that backpacking, directly and indirectly, has significant positive and negative socio-cultural effects on Darak village. The results and findings are presented and discussed in more detail. Keywords| Backpacker, Tourism, Locals’ Attitudes, Socio-Cultural Effects. Introduction| As one of the forms of travel that has backpackers are defined as tourists who travel with a been rarely studied, backpacking is a rapidly growing backpack, a certain budget, and usually for a period of phenomenon. Also, due to the low cost and independence time, which is longer than a regular vacation. According of this type of traveling, it is the first choice of youth when to Muzaini (2006), Theo & Leong (2006), and du Cros deciding to travel. Factors that traditionally distinguish (2014), the beginnings of backpacking have historically backpacking from other types of tourism are the use of come mainly from wealthy economies such as Western public transportation as a means of travel, the choice of Europe, North America, and Australia. Then, in the hostels instead of hotels, and the interest in meeting and first decade of the 21st century, Asian backpackers were interacting with local and indigenous people in addition observed in Southeast Asia and other countries. to seeing the scenery. In the simplest possible definition, As one of the important types of tourism, rural tourism *This article is extracted from Motahareh Abbasi’s master’s thesis in today’s world is considered as an important economic entitled “Backpacking in rural regions, with emphasizee on local activity. Being one of the important types of tourism, residents’ attitudes and economic impacts (Case Study: Darak rural tourism is considered to be a significant economic Village)” which was supervised by Dr. Zahra Nadalipour in 2021 at Faculty of Tourism Sciences, University of Science and Culture activity. has been completed. Today, the tourism industry provides appropriate ** Corresponding author: +989126446590, [email protected] opportunities for tourists to understand the importance Summer 2021 No. 5 61 Socio-Cultural Impacts of Backpacking in Rural Destinations with an Emphasize on Local Residents’ Attitudes | M. Abbasi & Z. Nadalipour of preserving culture and how to protect local culture and while guarding against rip-offs, and get away from natural landscapes better (Ghasemi, 2009). The main crowds and discover new places (Hampton, 1998, 641). objective of this research is to understand Darak village According to the study of backpacking culture, two residents’ attitudes towards backpacking and to recognize important features of this style of travel are flexibility and its socio-cultural effects on the rural community of mobility. Darak. Backpackers are self-organized tourists who are On the other hand, regarding rural tourism, in a situation interested in experiencing the local lifestyle and being where the pressure of urban life prevails, tranquility is local spectators. They often focus their recreational one of the main features of rural communities (Sharpley, activities on nature, culture, or adventure. This pattern 1997 cited in Bagheri, 2016). As Szabo (2005) has argued is consistent with the backpacker’s desire to travel more about rural tourism in Hungary, in a classical sense, rural and to following unusual routes than other tourists. They tourism can be considered as a type of tourism activity are known as people who have different experiences from that provides additional income for those who have a other tourists (Moaz, 2007). As Sorensen (1999) has main occupation such as agriculture and industry. “Rural emphasized, backpacking is a structural-social identity tourism is an efficient means for both the presentation rather than a well-defined category. Hampton (1998) has and preservation of natural and cultural heritage objects, stated that backpacking is an important element in the namely buildings, landscapes, traditions, and customs” youth tourism market, and given the growth in income (Daugstad, 2008; MacDonald & Jolliffie, 2003; Su, and freedom of this type of travel, this market is likely to 2006 cited in Balezentis, Krisciukaitiene, Balezentis receive more attention in the future. & Garland, 2012, 1). Rezvani (2008) suggests that the Darak village is located in Sistan and Baluchistan character of rural tourism is the establishment in rural province, 170 km west of Chabahar, Konarak city. areas. Due to the natural and cultural capacities in the This amazing village, which is located on the shores of villages, this establishment can play an important role Makran, has four types of rocky, sandy, coral, and sandy in creating employment and income for the villagers, beaches nearby, attracting more and more tourists to this preserving natural, historical, and cultural heritage, and village. One of the main reasons for the popularity of in general, revitalize the villages. “This type of tourism this region is that Darak village is the only coastal point focuses on ecological, managerial, cultural, social and in Iran and one of the few beaches in the world where economic aspects” (Zeynalian, 2007, 3). “According the contrast between the desert and the sea can be seen. to the important economic, social and cultural roles of Since the village has been discovered and introduced by rural tourism, the need for studying this field is obvious” backpackers and a large number of tourists visit this rural (Moshabbaki & Malek Akhlagh, 2003, 68). Regarding tourism destination, this study aims to investigate the the effects of tourism on the destination, “In most rural socio-cultural effects of backpacking in the village. This areas, due to the absence of agricultural economy and its study specifically is seeking to answer the question of vulnerability, it can be guaranteed that more attention what have been the socio-cultural effects of backpacking will be given to other developmental activities such as on rural society? tourism, which is a complementary economic option to improve the living conditions of villagers” (Mahdavi, Theoretical foundations Ghadiri Masoum & Ghahremani, 2008, 40). Nowadays, backpacking as a style of travel is significantly Today, tourism in remote rural areas is of special increasing. This type of travel has far-reaching importance and is considered a means for the welfare implications for the economy, culture, and environment of local communities (Ghaderi, 2004 cited in Saghaei of the places where backpackers visit. Previous research & Javanbakht Ghahfarkhi, 2012). Assuming that rural has shown that these effects are closely related to the tourism is a small part of a bigger tourism market, its characteristics of backpackers. There are many definitions role in the development of rural areas is very significant. for describing a backpacker. However, Hampton (1998) Therefore, it leaves potential multifaceted effects in rural refers to them as independent tourists. Backpackers are areas where the whole rural lifestyle is considered a defined as young people who travel independently and major attraction (Rezvani, 2008). Due to the growth of with flexible planning. Their emphasis is on staying in an tourism in the world, the success of a tourist destination affordable place and meeting other travelers and locals. is not possible without having a unique market. “In rural Backpackers usually travel further and wider than other areas worldwide, tourism growth represents a potential types of tourists, and their motivation is to discover solution to the decline of traditional extractive industries new places, people, and cultures (Murphy & Pearce, and the accompanying lost economic opportunities 1995). Backpackers