Blog Archives

The Benefits Of Local Tourism On Your Gap Year.

Posted on November 6, 2017 by Bemused Backpacker — 12 Comments

Local tourism is more than just the latest buzzword, it is a very real and tangible way of travelling that has a positive impact on not only the wider environment, but also the local people in the destinations we visit. Here are just a few reasons you should stay as local as possible on your travels.

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Posted in Responsible Travel

Australia Bans Tourists From Climbing Uluru. And It Is A Good Thing!

Posted on November 3, 2017 by Bemused Backpacker — 14 Comments

Climbing mount Uluru has been one of the top gap year bucket list items for any backpacker heading to Australia for decades, but as of 2019 all travellers will be banned from climbing the famous landmark, and despite some protestations this is a good thing.

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Posted in Responsible Travel

How To Decide What Travel Vaccines You Really Need.

Posted on October 30, 2017 by Bemused Backpacker — 21 Comments

Do you really need travel vaccinations on your gap year? Are you confused as to how the risk and recommendations are assessed? Not sure if a recommendation is right for you? Let me take you through the professional process of risk assessing your travel vaccination programme so you can decide for yourself and make a fully informed decision on whether travel vaccinations are right for you.

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Posted in Travel Health

Is Airbnb Unethical And Irresponsible?

Posted on October 23, 2017 by Bemused Backpacker — 36 Comments

Airbnb is now a staple fixture in any travellers accommodation choices, but is the company really as ethical or responsible as it says it is? Are travellers unwittingly contributing to unsustainable tourism practices by using Airbnb and helping to destroy the places they are visiting? With the company facing such a huge backlash, the question really needs to be asked should travellers be using Airbnb at all?

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Posted in Responsible Travel, Travel Talk

The Evolution Of Khao San Road.

Posted on October 16, 2017 by Bemused Backpacker — 24 Comments

Khao San Road is a microcosm of the tourism industry in Thailand, and its evolution into a package tour shell of its former self is reflective of Thailand as a whole, but is it too far gone for backpackers to ever enjoy again?

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Posted in Destinations

Should You Travel To Dangerous Countries?

Posted on October 9, 2017 by Bemused Backpacker — 20 Comments

The world is filled with countries that are seemingly off limits to any mere mortal traveller. With tales of extreme danger, endless conflict and terrorist attacks filling the headlines, is anywhere safe to travel to? And should you travel to those countries that are deemed unsafe?

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Posted in Solo Travel, Travel Safety, Travel Talk

Should Travellers Eat Shark Fin Soup?

Posted on October 2, 2017 by Bemused Backpacker — 15 Comments

Shark fin soup is a traditional Asian dish steeped in history and culture, but with modern ethical and environmental concerns, is this one cultural experience travellers should be avoiding?

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Posted in Responsible Travel

Should Ryanair Lose Their License To Operate?

Posted on September 28, 2017 by Bemused Backpacker — 34 Comments

Many travellers have a love/hate relationship with the Irish budget airline, but after decades of controversy and shocking customer care, are recent problems with the carrier and thousands of cancelled flights the straw that finally breaks the back of Ryanair?

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Posted in Travel Talk

Exploring Bangkok’s Chinatown.

Posted on September 25, 2017 by Bemused Backpacker — 14 Comments

Bangkok’s Chinatown is a fascinating, contradictory and endlessly fun part of this teeming megalopolis, and one that many travellers tend to overlook. Get all the information you need about exploring this part of Thailand’s capital city here.

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Posted in Destinations

Be Mosquito Ready On Your Gap Year.

Posted on September 19, 2017 by Bemused Backpacker — 28 Comments

Every single year over 4 million backpackers and travellers visit parts of the world that are at risk of malaria. Less than half of them are not protecting themselves adequately enough against the mosquitoes that carry this potentially fatal disease, meaning that it is more important than ever that all travellers make themselves mosquito ready.