Credit crunch hits gap year travel

(18 August 2008)

Gap year travel has shrunk by half as anxious travellers seek to conserve finances, a survey has revealed.

The poll commissioned by Bebo surveyed 2,000 students and found gappers had increasingly shortened itineraries to under a year. More than two thirds (63%) of those questioned were planning a maximum journey of six months away from home, with a mere 14% planning a full year abroad.

The survey also found that students are increasingly prepared to visit countries previously considered as dangerous to make their money go further. Countries such as Kenya, Sri Lanka, Columbia and Venezuela (all subject to varying degrees of travel warnings from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office) are now being frequently added to itineraries.