This study addresses the shortage of research on the meaning of travel experiences for tourists as well as research on female travelers. I examine the activities of Canadian women who backpacked in Europe and to what extent, if any, these activities facilitated identity development. The sample group is comprised of 19 Canadian women ranging from 20-40 years of age. E-mail interviews were conducted with participants to gain information about their travel activities and the meanings of these activities. Identity growth was evaluated on the basis of participants’ reports including the extent to which participants reported experimentation. I hypothesized that during travel women would partake in risky behaviours (defined as increased alcohol and drug use, participation in adventure sports and atypical sexual activities) and thereby explore their identities. Interviews revealed that while women did explore their identities during travel, it was not primarily through risky behaviours. Moreover, participants responded with difficulty to questions concerning their out-of-character behaviours. Participants reported that while their behaviours may have been atypical, they did not necessarily define their behaviours as out-of-character. Rather, participants framed these behaviours as extensions of typical activities. Identity development principally resulted from respondents having to navigate the trip for themselves, which conferred a sense of independence and personal strength.

This study addresses the shortage of research on the meaning of travel experiences for tourists as well as research on female travelers. I examine the activities of Canadian women who backpacked in Europe and to what extent, if any, these activities facilitated identity development. The sample group is comprised of 19 Canadian women ranging from 20-40 years of age. E-mail interviews were conducted with participants to gain information about their travel activities and the meanings of these activities. Identity growth was evaluated on the basis of participants’ reports including the extent to which participants reported experimentation. I hypothesized that during travel women would partake in risky behaviours (defined as increased alcohol and drug use, participation in adventure sports and atypical sexual activities) and thereby explore their identities. Interviews revealed that while women did explore their identities during travel, it was not primarily through risky behaviours. Moreover, participants responded with difficulty to questions concerning their out-of-character behaviours. Participants reported that while their behaviours may have been atypical, they did not necessarily define their behaviours as out-of-character. Rather, participants framed these behaviours as extensions of typical activities. Identity development principally resulted from respondents having to navigate the trip for themselves, which conferred a sense of independence and personal strength.

Traveling around the world is a highly appreciated phenomenon globally. In recent years, backpacking has grown in popularity. Characterised by simplicity and adventurousness, it is especially frequent within a young demographic. However, these types of trips produce certain risks to consider, with women being subject to greater risks in the society in large. This study aims to examine risk perception amongst young female backpackers. It was performed using a qualitative method based on 15 semi-structured interviews. Results showed that risk perception has a large impact on women’s chosen destination, with certain destinations subsequently being deselected. Moreover, variable risk perception can be observed over time, in response to the decision process. At commencement, high perception of risk was exhibited, yet later shown to gradually decrease as the trip progressed. Finally, an increased perception of risk was noted post returning from the journey. / Intresset för resor har ökat i stor omfattning. En växande trend under den senaste tiden är backpackerresor. Dessa resor karaktäriseras av en enklare reseform där äventyr står i fokus. Backpackerresor är förekommande speciellt hos unga resenärer. Dessa resor medför olika typer av risker för resenären att ta i beaktande, dessutom kan det uppmärksammas att kvinnor generellt sett utsätts för många risker. Målet med denna studie var därför att undersöka riskuppfattningen hos unga kvinnliga backpackers. Denna studie genomfördes med en kvalitativ metod baserad på 15 semistrukturerade intervjuer. Resultaten antyder att riskuppfattning har en stor påverkan på valet av destination hos kvinnliga resenärer. Till följd av detta tenderar vissa destinationer att väljas bort på grund av de höga uppfattade riskerna. Dessutom kan en variation inom riskuppfattningen noteras över tid i samband med beslutsprocessen. Inför resan uppfattades en hög riskuppfattning som sedan minskade under resan. Följaktligen uppmärksammades återigen en ökad riskuppfattning efter resan.