Blog Archives

Gap Years, Overtourism, And How Travel Is Ruining The Destinations We Love.

Posted on March 18, 2019 by Bemused Backpacker — 8 Comments

Travel in general is a very positive thing, both for the traveller and for the destinations they visit, but what happens when the sheer level of tourism threatens the very places travellers love? What happens when overtourism becomes a burden to a destination? And what can travellers do to help solve the problem of overtourism?

Tagged with: Airbnb, backlash against tourism, mass tourism, Maya Bay, overtourism, package tourism, responsible gap year, responsible tourism, responsible travel, what is overtourism
Posted in Responsible Travel

Is Airbnb Unethical And Irresponsible?

Posted on October 23, 2017 by Bemused Backpacker — 32 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?

Tagged with: Airbnb, Airbnb legal challenges, anti tourism, anti tourism Europe, anti tourism marches, anti tourism Spain, is Airbnb ethical?, is Airbnb irresponsible?, mass tourism, overtourism, pros and cons of using Airbnb, should backpackers use Airbnb, should travellers use Airbnb, tourists go home
Posted in Responsible Travel, Travel Talk

What Is The Sharing Economy And What Does It Mean For Travellers?

Posted on May 4, 2015 by Bemused Backpacker — 31 Comments

How you can use the sharing economy to travel the world in a unique and often cheaper way.

Tagged with: Airbnb, backpacking, budget travel, couchsurfing, gap year, Go Cambio, how to travel for free, how to travel on a budget, shared economy apps, sharing economy, sharing economy airbnb, sharing economy examples, sharing economy uber, travel, travelling on a budget, what is the sharing economy
Posted in Travel Talk

Backpacker Accommodation Alternatives; Beyond The Hostel.

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Bemused Backpacker — 28 Comments

Accommodation options for backpackers on a gap year have widened significantly in recent years, this article explores some of the best places you can find a bed for the night when travelling the world.