Thailand re-emerges as top spot for gap years

Thailand has regained its position as the top destination for gap year students, according to ABTA members.

The destination, which was the favourite back in 2013, had been knocked off the top spot by Australia.

But for 2017 it’s back at the top of the list for school leavers. 

As hundreds of thousands of British students opened their A-Level results today, ABTA surveyed its members and identified the top 10 most popular destinations for those choosing to delay their studies or employment to take a year out.

In 2016, over 92,000 students started their university courses a year late – aged 19 – and many of those will have delayed going to university due to taking a gap year.

South Africa and Argentina have entered the top 10 this year, knocking off Colombia and East Africa which made the top 10 in 2016.

The 2017 top gap year destinations reported by ABTA members specialising in gap years are:

1. Thailand
2. Australia
3. Vietnam
4. Peru
5. New Zealand
6. USA
7. Cambodia
8. South Africa
9. Argentina
10. India

ABTA has also issued some top tips for gappers:

– Check with your travel company and with the Foreign Office for ‘dos and don’ts’ and ‘no go’ areas for the country you’re visiting. They will also tell you about visa requirements and how to get relevant visas, which is especially important if you’re going to be working.

– Choose a reputable gap year travel company with a good track record that is a member of a trade association, such as ABTA, so you have a point of contact and support should anything go wrong.

– Get a good quality travel insurance policy and make sure it covers the activities you want to take part in as well as the length of time you will be away. The cheapest policies will not necessarily provide you with the level of cover needed for a lengthy stay overseas, or for extreme sports.

– Research local customs and culture before you go to understand more about the host destination and avoid unwittingly causing offence.

– Make sure you’ve had all the necessary jabs and inoculations; do this at least eight weeks before you travel.

– If you’re going to a country where malaria is prevalent always take anti-malarial medication and always finish the course.

– If you’re volunteering, think carefully about the kind of activity you’ll be doing, especially if the volunteering is with children. It is recommended you use an operator that matches you with suitable projects. Check that they do background checks when volunteers are working with children or vulnerable adults and that they will provide you with necessary support when you are abroad.

–  Working, volunteering or learning a skill overseas will be enriching as well as challenging. It will most certainly be good for your personal and professional development.

– If you’re travelling to a non-English speaking country take some basic language lessons before you go and take a phrase book and pocket dictionary in the local language, you’ll find it much easier to fit in when you first arrive. If you’re going to rely on a mobile device for translation, check the costs involved.

– Tell your bank where and when you’ll be travelling to reduce the risk of them stopping your card.

– Keep electronic copies of all your important travel documents and leave a copy with someone at home.

– Keep a list of emergency contact numbers in a safe and accessible place.

For more information visit www.abta.com/gapyear