Raleigh International

The 60 plus gap year seems to growing in popularity as an increased number of mature travellers are choosing more exotic and longer trips than ever before, a new survey has revealed.

The research, by natural insect repellent firm incognito, found that nearly 59% of the over 60s surveyed are taking nearly three holidays a year with 4% taking as many as seven holidays a year.

Two gap year tour operators have reported an increase in gappers over 60 who want a bit of adventure later on in life.

Tour operator Oz-Bus has reported that 25% of its clients fit that category and the Year Out Group has recently reported a 300% increase since 2005 for people taking gap years later in life.

More and more gap year travellers and those taking a career break are choosing to go to more adventurous destinations over short haul trips, new research has shown.

British travellers seem to be heading further afield, with travel insurance provider Swiftcover revealing that one in four of the travel insurance policies it sells covers long-haul holidays, compared with one in five only five years ago.

Travelling can make you happier and could even mean that you live longer, according to new research.

An Australian study by a travel and wellbeing expert has suggested that travel and increased happiness and better health are linked, and it could even be prescribed in the future as a way to beat depression.

Employees fed up with their jobs and looking for something else are being advised that a sabbatical could be a better solution to work boredom or stress.

Yoursabbatical.com has said that taking a career break could be a smarter move in the current economic situation and could reignite the love you once had for your job.

Gap years have long been the focus for students and graduates but it seems demand for grown-up gap years is now increasing as more and more companies offer career break options for their members of staff.

And statistics show it's not only young employees that hanker after a change. A recent Halifax Unsecured Personal Loan survey found that almost half (49%) of 55-64 year olds would like to take time out to travel and over half (58%) of 16-24 year olds would be prepared to wait until later life to do this. Even in the current economic climate, over half (59%) of 55-64 year olds wouldn't be put off taking a trip of a life time.

If exams are looming, graduation beckons or the current jobs climate is worrying you, planning a gap year could be the answer. There are many reasons why someone might want to stuff their backpacks and set off for the sun. Alison Bell takes a look at five reasons you should take a gap year.

1 - Boost your skills
With competition for every job hotting up, it's vital to try and make yourself stand out from the crowd. A gap year can offer different skills to those you may gain in the academic world. Leadership, management and other soft skills are all a boon for your CV and while on your gap year you'll be learning about different cultures, and maybe even a different language. You can also gain experience in areas such as teaching and learn practical skills such as camp craft.