Released on: December 3, 2007, 2:01 am

Press Release Author: Jeremy Norburn

Industry: Internet & Online

Press Release Summary: Why Christmas is the ideal time to plan your Gap Yea

Press Release Body: This Christmas most teenagers will be looking forward to
receiving the most up to date games consoles and the latest MP3 players from friends
and family but a significant number will have their hearts set on much more exotic
presents.

With an estimated 1 to 1.5 million Gap years being planned worldwide for 2008, many
teenagers and young adults are looking at ways to plan and fund their first major
trip away from home and are looking to the internet for help. The growing number of
social networking sites such as Tripadvisor.com, WAYN.com and Facebook.com has made
planning and organising a trip abroad far simpler. These sites and many others give
prospective travellers the tools to research a destination, visit the online forums
to talk about the latest issues, view pictures taken by fellow travellers and
generally get a feel of the place before they visit. The current social networking
sites are also very good at helping travellers prepare for their trip by supplying
links to additional sites ranging from outdoor camping shops to government advice
sites.

Gap professionals will tell you, planning is the key and when spending anywhere from
6 weeks to 12 months away, you need to make sure that you have everything planned
out in advance. But how does someone pay for a trip that will last an entire year?
The average funds required by travellers vary depending on the traveller themselves
and the destination but it's estimated that the average gap traveller will spend
£4,800 in total on their trip with mature career breakers spending approximately
double this figure.

So why is Christmas an ideal time to plan a Gap year? Well with the average
"Gapper" looking to raise over £4,000, asking for a contribution as a Christmas
present is going to help reduce their target considerably. SendUsPacking.com is a
service that allows traveller to setup their travel itinerary online and ask friends
and family to contribute towards elements of the trip. For instance they could be
asked to contribute £40 towards a white water rafting experience in New Zealand or
help chip away at a £1,700 round the world flight ticket.

Using secure technology, the SendUsPacking site also allows friends and family to
contribute online using credit cards making it the ideal way to give a gift that
they know will be gratefully received. In addition, family members from abroad can
also log in and contribute thus making it an ideal way for distant relatives to give
gifts this Christmas.
Start planning now for that Gap trip and with SendUsPacking's help you might just be
able to do it in style.

For more information, travellers and tour operators can call 08707 606 737 or write to

Send Us Packing, 4 Butts Farm Courtyard, Poulton, Gloucestershire, GL7 5HY.

--ENDS-


Web Site: http://www.senduspacking.com

Contact Details: Send Us Packing, 4 Butts Farm Courtyard, Poulton, Gloucestershire,
GL7 5HY
08707 606 737
jeremy.norburn@senduspacking.com