Big-spending backpackers warned about vulnerability

Backpacking tourists spend around £4,000 on average each year on their holidays, according to recent research from InsureandGo.

The research suggested that eight per cent of those surveyed spend closer to £10,000 on a travelling trip.

Women tend to spend more than men with their average spend of £3,825 marginally higher than the £3,701 average of a man.

InsureandGo director Perry Wilson said: "People used to go backpacking with just a few clothes and a camera, but nowadays a backpacker might have a BlackBerry, an iPod or a laptop in their bag.

"What people have to remember is that their belongings are often very vulnerable when they are travelling, so they should make sure they are properly insured against theft, damage and loss."

Specialist forms of travel insurance are available for backpackers including backpacking travel insurance.

The research focused around backpackers who had been on their travels for over a month inside the last six years.