How will worldwide economic downturn affect backpackers travel
 

Howdy all, i just joined. About me I work for a hostel in david panama it is called bambu Hostel. We are noticing a decline in backpackers from the USA and not a huge increase in other nationalities..wondering how all feel about the economics of backpacking? will the economic problems stop folks from taking voyages or will the budget travelers increase as the folks that used to stay in nice hotels start to slum it with the rest of us.

bye

mike

Global tourism is always increasing every year, though it may not increase as much as previous years.

So really, you don't have to worry about a decline in global tourism-- just that it is not increasing as much as it used to.

People are becoming more and more connected, especially through Internet forums (like this) and chatting/pictures. Who wouldn't want to visit the Bahamas if you finally see a picture of their clear water online? :)

Americans should want to travel more than ever as long as they still have a job. We've shared our recession and many currencies are down against the dollar. Like the euro :drool:

I don't think people with jobs will stop traveling. It's the high unemployment at the moment that's probably scaring people. The other problem is people don't know how to travel cheap they only know what price they see in the travel agents.

I've been working at a B&B in hawaii and they've been feeling a decrease in tourists for the past few months. I'm not sure about the backpacker scene, since I'm not staying in hostels or what not, but I do see/talk to quite a few on the bus when traveling around on my day off. I think if people really want to make a trip work they will. If it doesn't, then it probably wouldn't of panned out even in better global economic times.