ABSTRACT
Social interactions are a key aspect of the travel experience for Asian backpackers. Underpinned by the paradigm of symbolic interactionism and drawing on the theories of liminality and social identity, this study investigates the social interactions of Asian backpackers and provides a validated measurement scale. The interactions of travel companions comprise six dimensions including motivation, similarity, connection, similarity avoidance, distinction and recommendation along the travel timeline from pre-travel to on-road and post-travel period. The findings also identify the change, from learner to mentor, in the traveller’s role as the trip progresses.
