Phraseology

Which would you prefer as a description: "Tasmanian backpacker" or "unemployed itinerant"? While both may be true of Scott Wright, who was allegedly* bitten by a shark off Bondi Beach last Friday night (don't panic, experts believe it wasn't a Great White or similar maneater), I can't help but think he may have preferred the backpacker description. (I checked the Slovoed definition of "itinerant" and it means "traveller" - although I think it has picked up a slightly less than desirable connotation over the years.)
Update 21/12/07: Well it seems that the "bitten by a shark" may not have been true. Seems Scott Wright's story may have been a little fishy (thank you Daily Telegraph): he has now been charged with several break-ins and it appears the "shark bite" may have been more a case of "broken window bite".