Backpackers' Tastes 'Moving Upmarket'

Many backpackers are planning to spend big on their upcoming travels, Lonely Planet has said.

According to the travel guide publishers, the adventurous travel insurance customers' tastes are "moving…upmarket" - a claim backed by latest figures from travel insurance firm InsureandGo. According to the cover provider, the average UK backpacker currently spends over £3,700 on their trip, including travel insurance, food, entertainment and medical costs. What's more, around 8.3 per cent of the travellers were found to spend over £10,000 on the journey.

InsureandGo also said that backpackers carry around £1,000 work of valuables with them on their holidays, heightening the need to take out a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

Commenting, Tom Hall, travel editor at Lonely Planet, said: "People are recognising the value of saving up a little bit more before they go and one of the old adages of going on a big trip is: 'The more money that you have, the better time that you'll have.'"

He added: "I think that in the past people have been more willing to say, 'That's a little bit out of my price range.' (…) In some cases backpackers' tastes are moving a little bit upmarket and people are prepared to splurge a little bit while they're away."