BootsnAll Travel Community

I am writing a book and have been trying to group travelers into 3 main groups and what there characteristics are. I know this is a hard if not impossible task but I got to get it done. Any thoughts from the different travelers out there would be great.

So far I have been thinking

1. Back packers - Lower end, less expensive,

2. Weekend or Summer Warriors - Spend a little more then back packers, middle class travelers

3. Unlimited Luxury - Rich travelers who have no worry about cost.

I know these groups are just a start but would love to see what kind of responses I get.

Thanks
CC

Your three groups are defined by their finances, it looks like. While that is usually distinctive, it's certainly not the only deal. Attitude towards travel, and duration of travel as well as intentions and whatnot can all be good ways to divide people up into categories.

Sometimes, those things go hand in hand. Your budget backpacker is usually your longer term, solo traveller.. and your ultra luxurious traveler is usually destination oriented and treks around short term.

I agree. Money isn't really what defines the type of traveller you are. It affects how often you have to say "no" to things, and where you can stay, but there's plenty of middle class folks - and even a few wealthy ones - who still travel like backpackers when they've got the chance.

Three groups is tough. On the broadest level, I would group people as follows:
1. Independant - books their plane ticket and goes. Maybe books a few nights accomodation online, perhaps a short tour for a specific portion of their trip that's difficult to do by public transport. Though some independants will rent cars. These people are usually found in locally owned accomodation, whether it be boutique hotel, budget hotel, pension, or hostel.

2. All-inclusives - For this group, the whole point of a holiday is to unwind and lay on the beach. They might do a few day excursions, but want everything to be organised. You'll find them at all-inclusive resorts or on cruise ships.

3. Package tourists - Want to see all the places they've heard of, don't want to waste anytime, and don't want much hassle. You'll find these folks at chain hotels around the world, their budget determining whether it's the Holiday Inn or the Hyatt Regency.

Clearly, these groups are very broad, and there's lots of grey area. What's more, a lot of people will do one trip independently, and then do a package tour on their next one. Some package tours cater to people who want small groups and more local encounters. Likewise, some independants will go with a hop-on-hop-off tour that's halfway between independant and package tour.

I agree with the posts above: attitude is a better way to break things down than by finances. Just because I might stay in a boutique hotel in Siem Reap or Hanoi or whatever doesn't make me a weekend warrior. I think I'm more like a backpacker--I walk most places, arrange stuff on my own, don't have a real set itinerary--the only difference is I don't stay in a hostel. And have a wheely-bag instead of a backpack. Wheely-packer? I'm not sure that sounds good ...

The question I might ask is: "why do people travel?"

Is it for health reasons? to see the world? to learn about others (or themselves)? to escape? to luxuriate? for business? out of duty, to see faraway family? to sample food? history? to undertake a sport? for adventure? to test themselves? to study? The list is endless, I realize, but to me the purpose of travel underlies the differences among those who travel.

I backpacked around the world for three years, and at times (although not often) I might have had more in common with a luxury traveler staying in a five-star but hiking in the hinterland and curious about how people live than, say, a backpacker on Khao San Road drinking beer and eating banana pancakes in front of TV sports while trying to recreate life back home. So I'd vote for travel purpose as one defining factor.

Even more interesting to me would be the breakdowns of the groups under your three main groups. I have always noticed the different groups within the backpacker's group(b/c that is my group). Some different types I have noticed:

1. The sit at the hostel and watch T.V. and movies guy. This guy loves TV, and it doesn't matter what country your in, or what is on, this guy will always be downstairs in the hostel watching TV, Cooking, and in general just not leaving the hostel. I have never understood why these people travel, but to their credit, they are normally very friendly.

2. Then you have the exact opposite type that is always looking for the next adventure. They would not be caught dead deciding which movie to watch next, b/c they are out doing active stuff. From what I can tell this group has two subgroups. The ones who have Very good $$$$$ and can afford to pay for the expensive activities, and the ones who have no money and must find ways to do equally adventurous activities for half the money.

3. The Drunks/Party: Self explanatory, these guys want to see how drunk they can get in every city, in every country they travel to. They don't really do anything activity wise b/c they sleep until mid-day, then start with a couple cold ones at lunch.

4. The guys that have been in one hostel for a month, and know everything about everything to do with anything.


....not really sure where this rant came from, but you got me thinking.

oh my... you have picked a toughie.

Its always really difficult to group people into neat segments especially with a diverse bunch like travelers...

There are plenty of ways to group them.

Like u did-financially, another pointed out activities inclined groups, I will point out some travel to certain continents only (Europe or SEA anyone?), shopping preference groups...

I guess it depends on ur preference. No wrong or right about it but better be prepared for travelers to say "I AM NOT LIKE THAT!" :P