Backpacker Deaths: Blame It on the Alcohol or the Unregulated Tourism?

The recent deaths of two Australian tourists in the party town of Vang Vieng, Laos, has spurred a rash of articles focusing on the rise of backpacker-centric tourism in this part of Asia and the unregulated nature of the activities it provides. In Vang Vieng, it's customary for young Australian, American and European backpackers to float in tubes down a river while drinking. River ropes and swings also add to the scene.

Media reports have focused on the "water" aspect of these deaths; the river ropes and zip lines are too high, the whole set-up too dangerous. Many don't want to blame the tourists. They'd rather blame the tourism industry that seemingly encourages this unsafe behavior. Some don't want to admit that while leaping from a three-story-high rope is dangerous, it's downright deadly if done under the influence.

Vang Vieng isn't the problem. It's the culture of excess embraced by many of the people who travel to places like it — a culture some would like to see continue at the expense of blaming the locals when tragedy strikes.

Research shows those who drink heavily in their home countries often up the ante on holiday. A January 2007 study in BMC Public Health revealed 40.3 percent of UK citizens holidaying in Australia drank five or more times weekly. By comparison, only 20.7 imbibed this often when at home. Drug use also spikes on holiday, especially when traveling in Asia, according to a Jul-Aug 2005 article in the Journal of Travel Medicine which pointed to "a disturbingly high rate of drug abuse in travelers to certain Southeast Asian countries..."

Travelers can't control unsafe accommodations, adventure activities or modes of transport (tuk-tuk, anyone?). But they can control their level of substance use and practice sound judgment, whether they are in a place with unregulated river tubing or not.

What do you think is the answer to decreasing unsafe behavior among young travelers? Should the tourism industry shoulder some responsibility, or does it rest entirely on the tourist?