Recession creates a new wave of 'grown-up gappers'
Date added: 31st July, 2009 at 10:14
(view all articles from July, 2009)
Categories: Tourism
The recession is encouraging people of working age to take trips that they may have been putting off all their lives.
This was the discovery of a new poll carried out by Travelex, which interviewed 4,000 people who had recently been made redundant and found that 78 per cent were planning on taking time out to travel as soon as possible afterwards.
It is a phenomenon more often associated with those taking a traditional gap year between school and university, but as more companies either make staff redundant or give them time off as an incentive to keep their jobs, it is becoming more common.
Indeed, people aged between 30 and 55 were twice as likely to take a gap period as those aged 18-24.
However, this older age group was more likely to take a trip lasting three months than a year and would mostly opt for luxury accommodation such as hotels rather than hostels.
Peter Davies, spokesperson for Travelex, said: "Our recent research highlights that the 'grown up gap year' is a rapidly growing market, with many people opting for an extended break to destinations they may not have visited in their youth."
Some 16 per cent said they would be spending over £5,000 on their trip, while 38 per cent would spend in the region of £3,000.
An article in the Guardian recently insisted that gap years are no longer simply for those who have just left school, commenting that the chance to discover a new country and its cultures and traditions is something that everyone should try out if they can.
Meanwhile, according to American Express Insurance in a report cited by the Daily Mail, sales of gap year travel cover being sold to people aged between 30 and 50 have nearly doubled since August 2008.
Bearing this in mind, Brazil could be an excellent place in which to take time out from the rat race and to consider plans for the future.
Laura Rendell-Dunn, spokesperson for Journey Latin America, said in March that more people from Britain are choosing to go to Brazil because of the vast range of attractions it has to offer.
She pointed out that the Latin American country can offer a complete contrast to the credit-crunched UK, with its sandy beaches and sunny weather being added reasons to go for those keen to escape poor weather at home.
"It's such a huge country and because it's got so much to offer, there's something to suit everybody," Ms Rendell-Dunn remarked.
Related Articles
Northern Brazil 'is a great off-the-beaten-track destination'
Date added: 30th July, 2009 at 10:47
(view all articles from July, 2009)
Brazil 'will not scrimp on World Cup preparations'
Date added: 27th July, 2009 at 09:27
(view all articles from July, 2009)
Jericoacoara 'is an idyllic alternative to the busy cities'
Date added: 24th July, 2009 at 09:30
(view all articles from July, 2009)