The Student Tourist @ DKIT

Student Tourism

For my final year research paper I undertook an analysis of the tourism behavior of students at DKIT. It’s widely accepted that students don’t spend much. They’ve low levels of income if any. However, travel seems to be one area (and yes I’m sure many will argue alcohol is the other) where students’ spend liberally. In fact my research showed students’ have a willingness to go into debt or perhaps live on pot noodle for a whole year to fund an excursion. Just for a little perspective, according to UNWTO, “20% of the 940 million international tourists travelling the world in 2010 were students.” These aren’t arm chair tourists they want to be out there in the thick of it. Now my research didn’t show any direct link between pot noodle and student tourism but it could be argued (so I will) that a student’s affinity for travel and low income often means there’s no choice but a diet of little plastic cups from Welsh noodle mines (there’ an interesting research topic!).

What about the students @ DKIT?

Well you’ll be glad to read, especially if you’re a DKIT student, I unearthed two types of student; the “student tourist” and the “student traveler” (I know for some Irish people the latter may evoke a certain image in your head but bear with me!). Firstly the “student tourist” is typified by participating in more conventional forms or tourism e.g. a weekend away in London, sun holiday in Spain or maybe even two weeks in Florida. Their activities may be that of a typical student but they enjoy the security of having a trip well planned and their return flights booked. The “student traveler” on the other hand is a bit more adventurous. They’re typified by a longer trip duration (2 months or more), very flexible itinerary, if any and often a more long haul destination e.g. Australia, S. America, S.E. Asia. Furthermore the student traveler usually participates in what Greg Richards has termed "Funemployment" and yes it’s exactly what you’re thinking! The “student traveler” often engages in work as they travel to fund, well, more travel. The jobs aren’t glamorous e.g. fruit picking, nor do they sound fun. The “I wouldn’t do it at home” attitude is prominent. The employment becomes fun because they’re in a strange land and surrounded by friends. If every employer could provide this the working world would be a happier place.

So which one are you?

I’m sure you’ve begun to categorize yourself at this stage. Are you a tourist or a traveler? Well if you’re a little puzzled and think you’re a bit of both, you probably are. The “student traveler” often exhibits some “student tourist” behavior, so you can move from one to the other depending on the type of trip. All I’ll say is get out there and travel while you’re a student. You’ll never have this kind of freedom again and the humble Pot Noodle will help you save!