What are the opportunities in the European gap year tourism market?

A gap year is defined as a period of time during which someone takes a break from studying, usually before or after university. It also includes career breaks, sabbaticals and other extended trips. Gap years are a well-established concept in Europe, particularly in the UK, and more and more young people choose to travel during a gap year. Making a positive contribution to local communities, learning new skills and getting around sustainably are all key motivations for gap year travel. There are good opportunities for local operators to attract this young and enthusiastic group of travellers, who will be ambassadors of future tourism experiences.