Veblen and theory of the backpacker leisure class: status seeking and emulation in the Australian contemporary tourist economy

• Wendy Hillman ^[1]
  1. [1] Central Queensland University

     Central Queensland University

     Australia

     
• Localización: Tourism review international, ISSN 1544-2721, Vol. 13, Nº. 3, 2009, págs. 157-171
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • In 1899 Thorstein Veblen wrote a seminal monograph on the subject of consumption and leisure.

    His work, The Theory of the Leisure Class, is one of the most enduring examples of status-seeking individuals� conspicuous consumption and conspicuous leisure practices, particularly when applied to the tourist industry, and furthermore, is still relevant in today�s economic climate. This article develops an independent theory of backpackers and how they can be perceived as undertaking conspicuous consumption and conspicuous leisure practices. This is done using Veblen�s work as a foundation. Qualitative methods using in-depth interviews and participant observation techniques are employed to obtain data from 41 participants. The findings serve to highlight the fact that Veblen�s thesis is as relevant today as it was when it was written in 1899.