20 June 2008
While backpackers commonly travel on a small budget, many tend to splurge on activities however, often putting a considerable amount of "money directly into the hands of local operators".
Backpackers travel light, sleep in budget hostels and eat street food, but when it comes to activities such as sky diving in Corsica, there is often no limit in the price.
Tom Hall, travel editor at Lonely Planet, has explained that people on a gap year are "not going to want to come home and say: I didn't do that".
Research by InsureandGo has revealed that on average backpackers spend £3,764 on their trip, including transport, insurance, food, entertainment, clothes and medical expenses.
However, the research has also shown that almost one in ten travellers (8.3 per cent) would extend their budget to over £10,000, and indeed Mr Hall said that "in some cases backpackers' tastes are moving a little bit upmarket and people are prepared to splurge a little bit while they're away".
Sky diving in Corsica is offered in various places throughout the island. The centre located in Propriano is open throughout the summer, with standard jumps costing €240.