With an estimated 1 to 1.5 million Gap years being planned worldwide for 2008, many teenagers and young adults are looking at ways to plan and fund their first major trip away from home and are looking to the internet for help. The growing number of social networking sites such as Tripadvisor.com, WAYN.com and Facebook.com has made planning and organising a trip abroad far simpler. These sites and many others give prospective travellers the tools to research a destination, visit the online forums to talk about the latest issues, view pictures taken by fellow travellers and generally get a feel of the place before they visit. The current social networking sites are also very good at helping travellers prepare for their trip by supplying links to additional sites ranging from outdoor camping shops to government advice sites.
Gap professionals will tell you, planning is the key and when spending anywhere from 6 weeks to 12 months away, you need to make sure that you have everything planned out in advance. But how does someone pay for a trip that will last an entire year? The average funds required by travellers vary depending on the traveller themselves and the destination but it’s estimated that the average gap traveller will spend £4,800 in total on their trip with mature career breakers spending approximately double this figure.
So why is Christmas an ideal time to plan a Gap year? Well with the average “Gapper” looking to raise over £4,000, asking for a contribution as a Christmas present is going to help reduce their target considerably. SendUsPacking.com is a service that allows traveller to setup their travel itinerary online and ask friends and family to contribute towards elements of the trip. For instance they could be asked to contribute £40 towards a white water rafting experience in New Zealand or help chip away at a £1,700 round the world flight ticket.
Using secure technology, the SendUsPacking site also allows friends and family to contribute online using credit cards making it the ideal way to give a gift that they know will be gratefully received. In addition, family members from abroad can also log in and contribute thus making it an ideal way for distant relatives to give gifts this Christmas.
Start planning now for that Gap trip and with SendUsPacking’
For more information, travellers and tour operators can call 08707 606 737 or write to Send Us Packing, 4 Butts Farm Courtyard, Poulton, Gloucestershire, GL7 5HY.
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