YASAWA tourism operators are banking on the backpacker market to see them through the global crisis, says Monash University, head of tourism Doctor Jeff Javis.
The Melbourne, Australia-based academic told South Pacific Travel's board of directors at the Novotel in Nadi on Wednesday, backpacker tourism was recession resilient.
Earning close to $3.2 billion in 2008, the independent tourist, or backpacker, was a niche market for Fiji.
Dr Jarvis said the trend now was flash-packers, people who had money to spend on a more personal holiday experience.
"Another market that Fiji could tap into is the education market. There are a lot of international students in Australia who during the end of the semester are looking at taking time out from their studies and Fiji is an ideal destination for this market.
"There is not just one type of backpacker but there is a segment of it and they are focused at having an authentic cultural experience."
He said being highest yield visitors, backpackers were more interested in
local rather than imported goods.
SPT chief executive Tony Everitt said despite the recession, tourism grew by 3 per cent in 2008.
