The average backpacker doesn’t have a huge amount of cash in their bank account, but begpacking takes budget travel to a whole new level. Begpacking is widely seen as one of the most controversial travel trends to emerge in recent years. So what is begpacking, why does it happen and why is it so heavily criticised? This article explains.
What is begpacking?
The word ‘begpacking’ is a combination of both begging and backpacking. It’s a relatively new phenomenon but it doesn’t really need much explanation- essentially, a begpacker is a backpacker who begs. Yes, you heard that right, while most of us spend months working hard and saving up the pennies for our trips overseas, begpackers simply ask passers by in the street to fund their adventures.
Typically, begpackers travel to a less developed country with little or no means of financially supporting themselves and spend part of their time overseas begging locals and other travellers to fund their travelling.
The term spread widely on social media and in the press from around 2017, when the crowd-sourced Urban Dictionary described it as ‘backpackers busking or begging to fund their travel’.
Begpacking can be seen as a controversial form of niche tourism and a sub-set of backpacking. It is not especially common, but each reported case tends to attract a great deal of media attention.
Video: What is begpacking and why is it so bad?
‘Begpacking’: A brief history
Although the term ‘begpacking’ is a relatively new term, the idea of western backpackers begging for travel funding is not. This type of travel existed long before it was discussed on the internet.
You could argue that hitchhiking was an early form of begpacking. This has happened for years in many countries around the world and certainly isn’t anything new.
In modern society, backpackers demonstrate the reality of being able to travel the world with as little money as possible. The thought of being able to travel the world without spending large amounts of money is becoming more and more desirable among individuals, particularly in millennials and Gen Z… but has begpacking taken this a step too far?
How to Begpack
There are three major methods of begpacking that are used by tourists.
The first method is the traditional method of begging. Typically, a begpacker will beg locals to fund their travel by sitting in front of a handwritten sign that explains their desire to travel and the help needed for funding.
Others turn to busking, performing music or other street entertainment in return for donations. Busking is only legal in some places, and many cities require a permit.
And then there’s selling. There are alternative ways to begpack and one of these is by selling goods or services on the streets. Many tourists choose to sell handmade art, jewellery, or other crafted items, for example.
In order to actually make money, the vast majority of begpackers can be found in busy, urban areas, where there is a higher opportunity of people passing by.
It is important to note that begging, and therefore begpacking, is not legal in all countries. Thailand’s Begging Control Act 2016 makes begging an offence, and Singapore and Malaysia have long-standing laws against it. In addition, earning money- including through busking or street selling- usually breaches the conditions of a tourist visa.
Where begpacking has been reported, some countries have tightened their rules. Thailand, for example, allows immigration officers to ask visitors to show proof of sufficient funds on arrival (typically 10,000-20,000 baht per person, depending on the type of entry), although how strictly this is enforced varies.
Where do people go to begpack?
Most reported cases of begpacking have been in Southeast Asia. The rise in contemporary discussion circulates stories largely aimed towards begpackers in Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
In 2018, Western travellers caused fury after begging locals to help continue funding their travel. As the Daily Mail reports, the travellers sat alongside their handwritten sign that read “My name is Alex. I’m travelling in Asia for 15 months. Sadly, I’m out of my savings, but I stay positive.”
The ethics of begpacking
The reality is that most begpackers come from middle class, westernised backgrounds- they are not the sort of people that you would expect to see begging on the streets! So why are they choosing to be begpackers? Many appear to see it as the only way to prolong their travels- but is it right? Is begpacking ethical?
Begpacking typically occurs in countries that are not highly developed and where there are people who turn to begging because they have no other way to feed their children or to pay their bills, not so that they can go to the full moon party at the end of the month.
Many would argue that begpacking is in reality an induced or inauthentic representation of poverty and that the begpacker can in fact remove themselves from this situation at any given moment by returning to their home country and getting a job or by claiming social benefits. In contrast, these people are surrounded by real poverty, even if it doesn’t present itself on the side of the street.
On top of this, selling art, jewellery and other crafted items will often take potential earnings away from local people, who are probably more in need of the cash than a backpacker is. Of course, we don’t know the reasons that all of these backpackers turn to begging, and there could be a legitimate reason, but from where most of us are standing, it certainly doesn’t appear to be an ethical or sustainable form of tourism at all. In fact, it is quite the opposite.
The reality is that for many begpackers, travel is a luxury, not a necessity, and they are in this situation by choice. In most circumstances, begpacking is widely regarded as a selfish and irresponsible way of travelling. There are better alternatives for cash-strapped travellers, such as WWOOFing (volunteering on organic farms in return for food and accommodation), working holiday visas (offered by countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada) and well-run volunteer tourism programmes.
Begpacking: FAQs
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about begpacking.
What does begpacking mean?
Begpacking is a combination of the words begging and backpacking. It describes travellers, usually from wealthier Western countries, who beg, busk or sell items on the street in less developed countries to fund their travels.
Why is begpacking controversial?
Begpacking is criticised because it typically takes place in countries where many local people live in genuine poverty. Begpackers choose their situation and can usually return home, and the money they receive may otherwise have gone to local people in real need.
Is begpacking illegal?
In many countries, yes. Begging is an offence in places such as Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, and earning money through busking or street selling usually breaches the conditions of a tourist visa.
Where is begpacking most common?
Most reported cases of begpacking have been in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam, which are popular with budget backpackers.
What are the alternatives to begpacking?
Travellers who are short of money can consider options such as working holiday visas, WWOOFing, house-sitting, or ethical volunteer tourism programmes that provide food and accommodation in return for work.
Further reading
If you found this article on begpacking useful, you may also find these articles helpful-
- Ethical tourism explained
- The social impacts of tourism
- Volunteer tourism explained
- What is slum tourism?
- Types of tourists
