Begpacking: A Controversial Travel Trend
In recent years, a new trend called "begpacking" has appeared in the travel world.
This term is a combination of "begging" and "backpacking." Begpackers are typically Western tourists who travel to other countries, usually in Asia, and ask for money from locals to help support their trips.
They can be seen sitting in streets with signs written in the local language, asking for money to fund their travels. Some begpackers play music or sell handmade items to get money. Others just ask for money without giving anything back in return.
While begpacking might appear to be an innocent way for travelers to fund their trips, it's illegal to earn money as a tourist in many countries.
Even so, this doesn't seem to stop begpackers from trying. And as a result, it's caused a lot of controversy.
"If you cannot afford to travel, don't do it, let alone ask locals to pay for it," Raphael Rashid wrote in a Medium article.
Rashid, a journalist who lives in Seoul, has been called the "begpacker buster," and is known for speaking out against tourists who beg on the streets. He even reports them to the police.
Rashid said he believes begpacking is "emotional bribery," and takes advantage of the generosity of locals, some of whom might be poor themselves.
The fact that it's typically Western tourists who take part in begpacking raises another issue, too.
Filipino lawyer Raphael Pangalangan said begpacking is an example of "passport privilege" — having advantages because of the country your passport is from.
If people from poorer countries were to try begpacking, Pangalangan said, they would be quickly deported.
But Will Hatton from the travel website The Broke Backpacker says begpacking doesn't have to be a negative thing.
He told CNN he doesn't support begging, but he believes people who play music or sell items to fund their travels are being brave and exploring alternative lifestyles.
