Gap travellers focus of FCO campaign
Around 70% of gap year travellers don’t consider travel insurance, according to a survey.
The poll, commissioned by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, asked 1,000 16 to 30 year old’s about gap year travel.
Of those questioned, one third said they had been on a gap year or intended to take one, but 71% of them didn’t regard insurance as being essential when travelling abroad. This is despite the fact that 45% admitted to being far more adventurous when on holiday, such as trying dangerous sports and activities.
The research was carried out ahead of FCO’s gap travel mini-campaign, launched this month to raise awareness among young travellers.
The campaign, which runs to June, centres on a website, www.gogapyear.com, which provides information and advice about travel and the issues facing travellers such as visas, health, cultural differences, driving abroad, drugs and alcohol. It also has links to FCO’s country by country travel advice.
The website is part of FCO’s “Know Before You Go” campaign, launched in June 2001 to raise awareness among travellers and travel companies.
Report by Ginny McGrath
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