February Peak for Gap Year Departures
Traditionally the time to depart on a ‘gap year' is the summer, either in June, when exams are finished, or after August when the results are out. However, one of the biggest gap year companies; Real Gap Experience (www.realgap.co.uk), has reported that February is one of its peak departure months.
David Stitt, MD of Real Gap Experience explains: “General dissatisfaction sparks many people to book in the winter months, but most decide that they want to spend Xmas in the UK with family. In January airfares are still pretty high, so hence February is a popular month to start off.”
In 2005, Real Gap's most popular programme was ‘The Ultimate Aussie'. This is the classic gap year favourite for those who want to discover the country, but don't want to feel lost or alone doing it. Including guaranteed job offers, a working holiday visa, 12 months travel insurance, bank accounts, mobile phone arrangements, free internet, mail, luggage storage,
4 nights accommodation, a complete social programme and 24 hour emergency assistance, all from £759, the package provides peace of mind for students and their parents.
Parents are obviously concerned as to the safety aspects of any trip. With this in mind, Real Gap has forged a partnership with a highly regarded travellers' advice course. The Gap Year Safety Course is held weekly in London and helps travellers prepare for their gap year, with loads of invaluable advice on how to overcome challenging situations in an unfamiliar environment. Even Ewan MacGregor and Charley Boorman were put through their paces on this course before their epic round-the-world motorbike journey the ‘Long Way Round'.
The popularity of some kind of gap year, anything from 4 weeks to a full year, is continuing to stampede. Real Gap Experience has experienced a 300% increase in passenger numbers from 2004 to 2005. The company has produced a new comprehensive 76 page brochure covering programmes in over 30 countries around the world. www.realgap.co.uk hosts a state-of-the-art website with a ground-breaking search facility which enables people to find their ideal gap year programme from among hundreds of options.
Real Gap offer the widest choice of work, travel, fun and volunteering programmes of any UK gap year provider. Their flight inclusive programmes are ATOL protected (ATOL 6527) and for all other programmes bookers receive a personal insurance certificate guaranteeing against the company's financial failure.
For more details call Real Gap Experience on 01892 516164
Or visit www.realgap.co.uk
For more information and media enquiries please contact:
Jennette Baxter: 01342 316337 / 0794 0174 303 pr@baxter1.clara.net
David Stitt: 01892 516164 David.Stitt@realgap.co.uk
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