My Mind and Soul Suspended on a Ticket to Self-discovery. Now Boarding, Koh Phi Phi

Who am I? What's the purpose of my life? What is the reason for my existence? These philosophical questions intensify the push-factors that are the foundation for young adult travellers currently dominating various popular destinations that scatter across South-East Asia today. This growing genre of tourists’ are educated, experienced, financially average and are at the crucial point whereby the only missing element at this point in their life is their ‘identity’. Backpackers embark on personalized self-seeking journeys to find their purpose to breathe, belief in religion and other elements, just too simply define themselves from a different vantage point towards self-conception. These tourists strive to be different from the usual mass market by choosing destinations that are remote to enhance the experience of culture and social exchange whilst encompassing identity formation. Backpacker enclaves are then discussed on how these spaces of pockets provide visitors the small familiarity of home whilst embarking on a cultural exploration. It is pure irony that people travel far and wide solely, to discover about themselves through various activities and rituals to push the personal boundaries within their comfort zone that are not available in the norm of their lives back home. Push factors may include escapism and social reasons; the pull factors are the last and most crucial to attract travelers to decide on particular destination that will in return, contribute more to one's self than just a status elevation in the perception of society. This study is an ethnographic research based on 18 European backpackers that travelled to Koh Phi Phi Island in Thailand for various recreational and post-journey persona expectations. It was conducted with in-depth interviews to determine if these travelers have gained personal growth at the ending of their journey.