Flashpacking
2007/11/30“Flashpacking is a neologism used to refer to affluent backpacking. A flashpacker shares some of the characteristics of a backpacker: a sense of independence, no fixed itinerary and relatively long periods of travel to more exotic and far-flung destinations. Whereas backpacking is traditionally associated with budget travel and destinations that are relatively cheap, flashpacking has an association of more disposable income while traveling and has been defined simply as backpacking with a bigger budget.
Some may define flashpacking as an incongruous mix of ’slumming it’ and luxury; of adventurous travel with those on a budget by day and sedate dining and comfortable accommodations by night. Flashpackers have been further defined as tech-savvy adventurers who often prefer to travel with a cell phone, digital camera, iPod and a laptop, although none of these is required in order to be a flashpacker. As with other forms of travel, the term flashpacker is mainly one of self-identification. The origin of the term itself is obscure.
The term also reflects a growing demographic of travelers who are forsaking traditional organized travel, venturing to destinations once the reserve of more adventurous backpackers, and the increasing number of individuals who leave well paid jobs or take ‘career breaks’, using the time to travel independently, but with greater comfort and many of the gadgets they are accustomed to at home. As a result, hostels are evolving and offering more up-market accommodation to those still traveling on a budget in order to obtain their business. The hostels have realized a need to evolve in order to meet the changing demands of travelers. It is likely that flashpacking and flashpackers will continue to evolve with changes in technology.”
(from wikipedia)
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バックパッキングの亜種として「フラッシュパッキング」というカテゴリがあることを知りました。独立の気概を持って、決まった旅行日程をあえて定めず、比較的長期間旅をする、という点ではバックパッキングと共通するものの、
- 予算に比較的ゆとりがある
- デジ製品（携帯、iPOD、デジカメ、ラップトップ）を駆使して旅行する
という点で普通のバックパッカーとフラッシュパッカーは異なります。最近はHostelling International等のバックパッカー対象宿泊施設も最近はフラッシュパッカー対応にwifi＆電源にゆとりを持たせるなど運営方針を修正している模様。
僕の中では高城剛なイメージかな
