Over the last decade gap year travel has become an established rite of passage for students and graduates, and increasingly common among working professionals and even retirees.

However a recent survey of people booking trips abroad found that just 5.6% were planning breaks of more than 4 weeks in the next 12 months, suggesting a decline in longer-term gap year travel.

The recession and an increasingly competitive job market are undoubtedly factors in this decline. One fifth of those going on a long trip stated that they had been forced to reduce the length of their travel because of financial concerns. Finance has been of particular concern for prospective university students, who in light of raised tuition fees are wary of incurring debts before they arrive at university.

While year-long travel is becoming less frequent, the popularity of shorter term gap year trips has been on the rise. Sam Cox, managing director of Real Gap, commented: “It is true that the travel industry is seeing changes in how long people wish to travel for on their gap year. Whilst we still have many people looking to travel for a year or more, we’re also seeing a growing number that are choosing to travel for 1 to 6 months and incorporating a gap break into their year between school and university.”

Not everyone can afford to travel for an entire year, but there is still plenty that you can do in 6 months or less. Find out how you can make the most of your time off with Inspire volunteer projects lasting from 2 weeks upwards!