Film Feature: Gringo Trail

Tubing Laos

by Michael Tieso on July 29, 2010

in Art,Film

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It’s an easy trail to follow and even easier to get caught up in the trail as a backpacker. Costa Christ of National Geographic Adventure says towards the end of the video “Backpackers are not the bad guys. It really boils down to how we travel, what the legacy is of that. We are guests in another culture. So the issue isn’t how do we stop travelers, stop tourism – the issue is how do we get it right“.

The full moon party is mentioned in the video which we featured here before. Another gringo related hot spot is Vang Vieng, Laos for tubing which we discussed if it’s changing for the better or worse.

What is the gringo trail? A trail that is so common, that it makes the world much smaller than it seems. It’s the most most beaten path a traveler can take. Wikipedia has a short description referring it to a string of the most frequently visited places. Seeing a friend months later in another country becomes normal because the trail is followed by many backpackers.

This project is being directed by Pegi Vail. Gringo Trails is her first feature film, funded in part by NYSCA and fiscally sponsored by Women Make Movies. Currently it’s still being worked on from what I can tell in the post production stages in Bolivia.

Gringo Trails is about one of the most powerful global industries of our time: tourism, and it starts with backpackers. They are the key to opening the door in developing countries. The documentary looks at the long term effects of travelers on cultures, economies, and environments worldwide through their most important souvenirs… their stories. Pegi Vail explores the topic through both personal and professional perspectives: she is a former backpacker, now an anthropologist whose research focuses on backpacker tourism.

What will become of the backpacking culture in the years to come?

Article by

Michael Tieso travels around the world writing, photographing, and filming his adventures. He is the Editor-in-chief of Art of Backpacking -- a website that provides stories, tips, and advice about all things backpacking. He runs a travel blogging community called Art of Travel Blogging. He's currently filming a documentary on travel and technology called Everywhere Connection. He left the cubicle life to travel the world in May 2009 and he still continues the journey to this day with no end to it. He loves adventure, food, and music. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and .

Michael has written 256 awesome articles for AOB.

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  • http://worldwithinsight.com/ Kyle Greggory

    It can be difficult, I think, for people to break away from that “herd” mentality when it comes to backpacking (myself included). The glimpses I've had of life off the beaten path, though, are some of my best memories.

    Thanks for posting this. I'd be really interested to see this video when it's released!! :)

  • http://artofbackpacking.com Michael

    Me too. I'll keep everyone updated on this project. Should be interesting to watch.

  • http://worldwithinsight.com/ Kyle Greggory

    It can be difficult, I think, for people to break away from that “herd” mentality when it comes to backpacking (myself included). The glimpses I've had of life off the beaten path, though, are some of my best memories.

    Thanks for posting this. I'd be really interested to see this video when it's released!! :)

  • http://artofbackpacking.com Michael

    Me too. I'll keep everyone updated on this project. Should be interesting to watch.

  • DavenDeb

    Wow! Looks like it is going to be an excellent film. I am with the director. Backpackers are not the bad guys, but events like the Full Moon Party are not doing the planet or the image of backpackers any favors. It is about time we all start traveling more responsibly.

  • http://artofbackpacking.com Michael

    I agree. There needs to be a change.

  • http://artofbackpacking.com AOBdolce

    It's great to see backpacking put in a positive light. Usually we're associated with heavy drinking or schmoozing around. I think in the next ten years with the rise of travel blogs and documentaries floating around, backpacking might really start to be a growing trend. What do you guys think?

  • http://twitter.com/jasminewanders Jasmine Stephenson

    This movie looks amazing… I've always wondered about the real effects of backpacking on a local culture outside of what I can see when I get there. Can't wait to watch it!

  • http://www.intransitione.com Marco D.

    Great video, but it’s not only the gringos fault if unspoilt places become like in the video.
    Many times locals see the tourism only as a great opportunity for making money and don’t realize that massive and uncontrolled tourism leads to the destruction of their places.
    Gringos must be more educated and must remember that they are guests in another country but locals must stop thinking that gringos are ambulant cash machines and help educating them, who better than a local can teach the local culture to a foreigner ?

  • http://www.intransitione.com Marco D.

    Great video, but it's not only the gringos fault if unspoilt places become like in the video.
    Many times locals see the tourism only as a great opportunity for making money and don't realize that massive and uncontrolled tourism leads to the destruction of their places.
    Gringos must be more educated and must remember that they are guests in another country but locals must stop thinking that gringos are ambulant cash machines and help educating them, who better than a local can teach the local culture to a foreigner ?

  • http://artofbackpacking.com Michael

    Absolutely agree.

  • http://artofbackpacking.com Michael

    Absolutely agree.

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