Chinese youths packing their bags for backpacker holidays

The youth of China are set to swell the ranks of backpackers, it has been predicted.

China's booming economy, coupled with a loosening of travel restrictions, has opened up the possibility of worldwide travel for millions of Chinese people, according to a report from the Reuters news agency.

And while the older generation are opting for the safety of package holidays, the country's younger demographic are opting for the adventure offered by backpacker holidays.

Cai Jinghui, head of backpacker bible Lonely Planet's Chinese language editions, said: "Travel today has become fashionable for the young generation.

"For young people, group travel is not real travel. It is a signal that you don't have the ability to explore."

News of the trend comes as Lonely Planet recently revealed that, although it only started publishing Chinese language editions last year, all 5,000 copies of its first print of guides to Europe sold out within one month.

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