Gapyear.com has highlighted that the recession is fuelling the gap year travel sector.

Published: 17 Dec 2008

Gapyear.com has highlighted that the recession is fuelling the gap year travel sector.

According to the company, growth is particularly noticeable amongst recently made redundant young professionals leaving the country to backpack around the world.

Tom Griffiths, founder of Gapyear.com, said, "It's little surprise that this recession is fuelling the gap year travel sector as we are a "life transition" travel industry, which services people looking for things to do in between life stages, be it before, during or after University, in between jobs or around retirement. Many young professionals are losing their jobs and are unable to find other work in their sector, particularly those in finance and property."

He added, "With high disposable incomes and few commitments tying them to the UK many are using long haul, long duration travel to escape the bad times, or to make a fresh start with a 'trip of a lifetime'. This sector tends to do well when times are tough, either on an individual basis or as a society, as people look to turn their negative experiences into a positive one."

Forecasts for the post-university gap years are quite strong. It also added that pre-University gap year travel is also looking healthy as the trend to backpack around the world seems to continue, funded by long hours waiting tables, serving fast food, stacking shelves or on check-outs across the country.

The most popular destination is Australia, which offers a two-year Working Holiday Visa to UK residents under 31. One of the least affected economies where the recruitment market is still buoyant; trips Downunder are proving to be very attractive. The Australian Department of Immigration & Citizenship stats for Working Holiday Visas show a Q3 rise year on year by 21 percent.

Whilst forecasts for gap year markets around the world continue to show growth, the number of 25 to 35 year old Australian, New Zealand and South African backpackers arriving inbound to the UK to work (particularly) in the finance sector has fallen dramatically, impacting the UK inbound backpacking / gap year market. Although the weak Pound may encourage those already here with jobs to stay longer. The emerging US Gap Year market is expecting slower growth, particularly amongst the 18 to 24 year old travellers whose parents contribute a higher proportion of the travel fund than their European counterparts. As they tighten their belts less money may be forthcoming.