Abstract
Motorcycle backpackers is an emerging niche market segment that can be placed in the overlap of drive tourism and backpacking. Within this context, Research note identifies motorcycle backpackers as an important subculture situated within contemporary backpackers. A quick Internet search will show numerous tourism providers are marketing their products and services to motorcycle backpackers in various destinations (e.g. https://www.mein-tourenhotel.de/, https://www.tigitmotorbikes.com/, and https://www.rideadv.com/rentals/south-america/). However, there is a dearth of research undertaken about motorcycle backpackers, possibly due to the blurry line separating them from backpackers and/or motorcycle tourists. Consequently, statistics about this group of tourists are also rarely presented in research, making it difficult to estimate the full potential of the market size accurately. There is a need for research on motorcycle backpackers as they represent a unique subculture situated within contemporary backpackers. This paper calls for research to develop a nuanced understanding of this niche tourist segment, which has implications for tourism and leisure scholarship, and tourism businesses.