As the `Gap Year` phenomenon becomes a popular part of growing up, World Travel Market is launching a Youth Pavilion, in association with…
As the `Gap Year` phenomenon becomes a popular part of growing up, World Travel Market is launching a Youth Pavilion, in association with The British Educational Travel Association (BETA).
More than 20 companies involved with youth and student tourism will be represented at World Travel Market (10-13 November, ExCeL, London, UK).
Young people now account for an estimated 17% of all international trips, demonstrating the importance of youth tourism.
Students and young people from all kinds of backgrounds and with differing expectations are opting to try out the real world before returning to full-time study or a career, said Fiona Jeffery, Group Exhibition Director.
Australia, the United States and South America are among the most popular outbound destinations with British students for gap year travel, while over two million young people a year from overseas visit Britain.
Perhaps more importantly, employers and universities across the world no longer regard a gap year as the luxury they once were. But their time spent travelling does need to have some relevance to what they intend to do afterwards.
In addition there are many more young people travelling abroad on holiday, to visit friends as well as for business purposes.
Unlike previous generations, it has become an integral part of their lives.
Ms Jeffery said that German, French and British youth were particularly expanding markets, joining the traditional gap year culture of Australian youth, who have long been travel enthusiasts before settling down back home.
These significant changes in perception mean that youth tourism has taken off in a way that could never have been envisaged years ago, she added. We are delighted that we are now able to recognise this market by working for the first time with BETA to introduce a new Youth Pavilion.
Emma English, Executive Director of BETA regards the introduction of the Youth Pavilion as a major breakthrough for those operators working in the youth market.
She said: This is a unique opportunity for all youth and student travel operators, producers and suppliers to exhibit at the world`s premier travel industry exhibition. Youth travel is one of the fastest growing market segments and unlike other sectors is largely resilient to world economic and political events.
According to research carried out by IPK, on behalf of the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), 21% of young people between the ages of 15 and 25 travelled abroad in 2000.
Exhibitors at the Youth Pavilion include: A&O Hostels; Conference Link, Imperial College, London; Margate Language Centre; St Christophers Inns; University of Westminster; VB International and London School of Economics and Political Science.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
