ESCORTED TOURS GAP YEARS DESTINATIONS Y
ou’ve seen the YouTube clip – the one where a posh chap called Orlando goes to ‘find himself’ in Burma on his ‘gap yah’ (if you haven’t, Google it and treat
yourself to a giggle).
Though the cliché of the privileged school-leaver heading off with a backpack to travel the world still exists, the gap year has grown up somewhat, encompassing a much wider, more complex audience.
Yes, it’s still very much an ambition for countless 18-year- olds before they head off to university, but our tough financial climate means a lot of those school-leavers will be taking shorter trips – a ‘snap year’ rather than a gap year – than those before them. Then there are the career-breakers to consider: a growing number of people in their 30s and 40s are taking time out from their hectic jobs to see the world. Last but not least are the so-called grey gappers, the ever-increasing number of retirees who are keen to spend a chunk of their retirement fund on a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
w THE SCHOOL-LEAVER This term is widening and now
increasingly encompasses graduates as well as pre-uni adventurers. Either way, an escorted tour is a good option for younger travellers as it provides parents with the reassurance of group travel, while also allowing their kids to make new friends. Donna Jeavons, Contiki sales and marketing director for the UK and Europe, says: “Bookings for longer itineraries in culture-rich destinations like Latin America and southeast Asia have seen a significant increase in 2016, so it’s clear the average young traveller is more discerning than ever. From trekking the ancient Inca Trail to staying with a local family in Vietnam, young people are seeking out life-changing experiences which can bolster
CVs and offer a new perspective on the world.” The working gap year is
increasingly popular, providing an easy way for young people to fund their gap year and gain valuable work experience in the process. Jeavons says Contiki has experienced growth on a number of its longer tours, which clients often tag on to the start or end of their working gap year. Increasingly popular itineraries include The Explorer, which visits Peru, Argentina and Brazil, and the operator’s 15-day Big Tiki tour of the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The 20-day Grand Canandian tour, featuring stop- offs in Boston, New York, Toronto, Vancouver and the Rockies, has seen a 95% year-on-year
Hiking in Iceland
25 August 2016
travelweekly.co.uk 57
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80
