Another way to take advantage of the youth market………..

Contiki Holidays has launched its Gap Year program featuring itineraries which are tailored perfectly for school-leavers heading to work in the UK, particularly those working in schools.

All GAP trips are timed perfectly to take advantage of the mid-year school breaks starting in July 2008.

These itineraries make it easier than ever for consultants to actively target the youth market. Gap Year travel is an important coming of age activity for many Australians, with huge numbers of young Australians taking a year out to live and work in UK schools and boarding schools between high school and university.

Contiki has launched dedicated Gap Year Exclusives to provide a tailored options for this market based on the company’s breadth of experience and most importantly, past Gap traveller feedback.

Tammy Marshall, managing director, Contiki Holidays said, “A Gap Year holiday is a time to chase a dream, do something outrageous, extraordinary or fulfilling and most importantly, to explore new places – it is a really important life stage for young people. Not only have we released three very competitive packages, priced from $99 per day, we are also offering a choice or touring styles, based on either our Camping or Concept programs.

“Talking to Gap Year travellers means thinking outside the square and knowing what they value. Agents can make the most of opportunities in this market by talking to traditional clientele about their children and grand-children and taking into consideration some of the targeted selling points we have put together.

These include; making sure travellers understand that Contiki’s Gap Year program is awesome value for money; that it’s a great way to meet other travellers (which can really help during the rest of your Gap Year); that doing one of these Contiki trips is the best way to get your bearings around Europe and find your favourite spots for your next trip and, very importantly; that Contiki Gap Year tour departures are perfectly timed for the mid-year UK school breaks.

“We have been organising travel options for 18 to 35s for over 40 years and have been attracting ‘Gappies’ before the term even existed, now we have a program tailored specifically to provide the perfect option for this market.

“With extensive experience, a long record of great service and nearly 100 staff based all around Europe, Contiki can make sure clients are always looked after. Plus, our expert road crew have an incredible knowledge of Europe’s sights, sounds and local customs – so travellers get the inside track on what to do and where to go in every destination.

“Having a dedicated brochure and exclusive departures is just another way that we are working to direct clients through agency doors. Our Gap Year Exclusives program’s two travel options include; Concept Tours which offer a real mix of accommodation styles, plus some extra special stopover highlights as well as all the usual Contiki stuff including great coach transport, a dedicated and knowledgeable tour manager and fantastic sightseeing or Camping Tours which will help stretch your clients’ holiday dollars even further and are the perfect way to have a hands-on experience.

“We have included loads of free time in our Gap Year Exclusives itineraries so travellers can explore and do their own thing, or get into the great Optional Extras on offer. Contiki’s Optional Extras give clients a choice of fantastic ideas; like parasailing in Corfu, riding to dizzying heights on a cog railway in Switzerland, white water rafting in Austria or a dinner and a show in Paris.

“On top of two great travel options and loads of free time we have also included breakfast everyday, roughly half the lunches and half the dinners during the tour.

“We understand that the wants and needs of the youth market are ever-changing and that they’re not always easy to communicate with which is why Contiki continues to work with the trade to build new options, and this is just another way we are doing that.”

As a special bonus Contiki is also offering special value-adds to help ‘close the sale’ including complimentary upgrades to cabin accommodation where available on camping itineraries, in the Greek Islands Contiki has planned itineraries so groups cruise during the day and then stay in port at night – maximising their fun-time in the evening, ensuring travellers experience real island life. Finally, Contiki are offering a free night at the centrally located Royal National Hotel in London, before or after the tour with every single Gap Year Exclusive itinerary booking made.

For more details including full itineraries, pricing and departure dates – head to www.contiki.com/gapyear.

Report by The Mole