Gap Year News Articles

Gap Year Safety Debate Taking Place At London Year Out Expo

19 December 2011

Key figures in the UK's fast growing gap year industry will debate the safety of taking an organised gap year abroad at the forthcoming Year Out Expo event on Saturday 14th January.

The panel debate is taking place at ExCeL London to provide parents of prospective gap year travellers with a chance to get answers to their own questions about how safe their children will be if they decide to take part in an organised gap year programme abroad. Panel speakers will include Marcus Watts, Chairman of the UK's only trade association of gap year organisers Year Out Group , Sam Cox, Managing Director of UK market leader Real Gap Experience (part of TUI Travel PLC) and independent travel safety expert Charlie McGrath MBE.

Commenting on the reasons behind the debate, event organiser Andrew Bird said:

"Industry figures suggest that over 50,000 British young people are planning to take part in an organised gap year programme abroad during 2012. Everyone knows that a well organised gap year can be a life changing experience but we hope that this event will also give parents and their young travellers a chance to find out just how much work goes into making sure their gap year is a safe experience as well as a rewarding time abroad. Gap year organisers will be explaining what they to do to manage risks and support young people with their overseas in-country teams. We will talk about the safety track record of the sector, the voluntary code of practice that all the members of the Year Out Group sign up to and the assurances provided by the British Standard for Adventurous Activities Abroad (BS8848). Our panel of experts will also be taking direct questions from the audience on any aspects of gap year safety."

The panel debate will take place at 2.15pm on Saturday 14th January. The debate is followed by a series of talks on the different types of gap year programmes available abroad from community volunteering to teaching, work, training and study placements. There also over 25 gap year travel companies exhibiting alongside the talks. Exhibitors include Adventure Alternative, BUNAC, European Raft Guide Training, Flying Fish, Greenforce, i to i, Into China, Madventurer, PGL, Rockley Watersports, Snow Skool, Sporting Opportunities and Trekforce.

Advance ticket prices range from £13 for students and over 60's to £16 for Adults. The ticket price also includes free admission to the 4 other events taking place at ExCeL during this period, The Outdoors Show, Active Travel Show, London Bike Show and Tullet Prebon London Boat Show.

More information and links to the online box office are available at www.YearOutExpo.com.