With the world of travel beginning to reopen for many, new research reveals the best gap year destinations across the globe. 

 

With hundreds of countries and territories across the globe to choose from, people looking to take a gap year have many travel options available to them. All countries have different elements that make them unique, from stunning cities to luscious landscapes and fascinating culture.

 

Although it is more common for younger people to take gap years (often just before, or just after university), the concept is becoming more and more appealing to everyone, as sabbaticals become more and more common.

 

But where is the best place to visit on a gap year? 

 

By compiling data for numerous factors from countries across the globe, the most popular gap year destinations have been revealed.

 

The study by Bounce ranked the most popular gap year destinations based on factors such as the number of hostels, volunteering opportunities, safety ratings and beer prices, to reveal the world’s best gap year destinations.

 

The best gap year destination was the Netherlands. This country shines in many elements essential for gap year travellers. Not only is it one of the safest nations to travel to, but the country also scores highly for the number of hostels, clubs, and bars per 1000 square miles, so prospective travellers are never far from fun in this nation famed for its nightlife.

 

Ireland is the second highest-ranking gap year destination. The Emerald Isle achieved this score by ranking highly for its very well-rated hostels and the most attractions per 1,000 square miles with 375.

 

Ranking in third place was Switzerland. The country was found to be the safest country to travel to with the highest safety score of 78.38/100. 

 

Japan was the highest-ranking country outside of Europe, with the Asian powerhouse scoring 5.65. It scored highly for attractions and clubs and bars per 1,000 miles, on top of this it is the second safest country with a score of 77.81/100.

 

Thailand came in at 25^th which is surprising, considering the number of backpackers who have visited the land of smiles in the past.

 

Germany is a country famous for its beers and the world-famous Oktoberfest, and it has the cheapest average price of a beer; a 500ml bottle of local beer costs £0.52 on average. 

 

In Thailand, the survey said the average beer here costs US$1.72.

 

However, the survey perhaps did not take into consideration, that students love the laid-back style of many remote regions in the country known as the Land of Smiles.

 

You can view the full study here 

 

-- © Copyright  ASEAN NOW 2022-01-14

 

- Aetna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

- Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

 

Get your business in front of millions of customers who read ASEAN NOW with an interest in Thailand every month - email [email protected] for more information

5 minutes ago, webfact said:

All countries have different elements that make them unique, from stunning cities to luscious landscapes and fascinating culture.

And 9.00pm closing of bars, students would love Thailand ! ????

Just wait until the cancel culture people see the photo at the top of that Gap Year Index page.

Thailand has made it clear that it only wants 'quality' tourists, not sweaty dreadlocked backpackers on a gap year.

 

Add to that the draconian rules on alcohol, fines for smoking on the beach, nightlife shut, parties raided, ever changing entry requirements, the gentrification of places like Koh Sarn Road, it's really no wonder that students and young people generally are avoiding the place.

 

If I didn't have ties to the place (gf, condo, vehicles, job etc.) there would be dozens of places I'd visit before I considered coming here.

 

 

"Quality" tourists a fantasy,

 

Backpacking gappers not interested in the currently Byzantine and expensive entry process.

 

That leaves the "family" market.

 

Or not........who wants to pay "internment" costs for a family of four with the sniffles?

 

GO THAILAND!

 

 

If the Thai authorities gave a damn they would do something about it. Oh yeah, they have. Just charged an extra 300 baht to enter the country. TIT

Forget the pandemic for a minute, Thailand just has too many rules and regs today, it is not laidback anymore and is actually pretty expensive all things considered. A great country ruined by dinosaurs. Congratulations guys, you did it!

Germany: a 500 ml bottle of beer costs £0.52 on average. Long time since I've been there but that sounds like a very cheap shop price. Can anyone say what a bar/caff price would be on average. 

Well, you can hardly breath for 6 months a year here due to agri burning and astronomical PM 2.5 levels, perhaps people prefer not taking 5 years off of their lives.  

5 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Thailand has made it clear that it only wants 'quality' tourists, not sweaty dreadlocked backpackers on a gap year.

What Thailand says it wants and what it's prepared to take are two completely different things.

It say it targeting wealthy tourists and loaded retirees...

In reality it will take anyone from a cheap Charlie, digital no-mads to singles looking for beach and fun down south.. [pun intended] and anyone else who cares to come.

Looking back, this should be about normal for Thai tourism.  Back in the 2000s Thai tourism had peaked at around 18 to 20 million visits a year, a number that had been stagnant for roughly a decade.  Looking at global numbers, Thailand rarely made it into the top 10, often below top 15.  All this changed when TAT and company decided to push Thailand as a destination to Chinese tourists. In less than two years, tourism doubled and Thailand routinely a top 10 destination. So basically, this really is nothing more than a reset.  And Looking at the country pre-COVID, many aspects of this country will be better off with lower numbers (and don't believe all this tripe about lost jobs, etc. I've seen what many have done since, and they are not suffering).

"However, the survey perhaps did not take into consideration, that students love the laid-back style of many remote regions in the country known as the Land of Smiles. "   say what?  They love to drink and make fun. So money for beer does go into the equation. 555555

34 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

What Thailand says it wants and what it's prepared to take are two completely different things.

It say it targeting wealthy tourists and loaded retirees...

In reality it will take anyone from a cheap Charlie, digital no-mads to singles looking for beach and fun down south.. [pun intended] and anyone else who cares to come.

Agreed.

 

But maybe Thailand needs to learn to keep it's mouth shut because it has enough reasons not to come here right now without ministers pompously announcing which class of people they would like. If I was considering backpacking here for a while (as I did in 1998) and read that, I'd go elsewhere.

7 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

And 9.00pm closing of bars, students would love Thailand ! ????

8pm in Ireland at the moment ! 

7 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

And 9.00pm closing of bars, students would love Thailand ! ????

Not to even mention the huge cost of getting into the Country in the first pace.

Something Mummy and Daddy would not fund , I guess.

Well this is yet another one of those surveys that are just bubblegum fluff.

 

Sort the list by volume, and apparently Russia is way ahead with 6M, double the next closest of Canada with 3M.

 

Then comes China with another 3M, incredible since, entry requirements for anyone into China are really hard, let alone starving students plus literally nobody has been allowed into the country for the last 2 years.

 

So I'm concluding this is a work of fiction, someone trying trying to sell a little copy in these troubled times

1.72$ is 7-11 price for beer it's 3$ or 90 baht at happy hour and can easily be 120-180 baht or 4-6$.  No value in Thailand on the beer quality or price. 

Street food was one of my favorite things to see and experience in 2016.  Even 9f I didn't eat s ok me it was fun to see the locals grabbing BF and I did get iced coffee.  Lots near Asoke station but that changed  and they were gone in the next year. 

If 8 had read how polluted the ground and air was and how crowded the beaches were and how poor the diving was I would have gone elsewhere.  My first trip was a 12 hour rush decision. 

8 hours ago, webfact said:

based on factors such as the number of hostels, volunteering opportunities, safety ratings and beer prices

At least they got one right!

Hostels - not relevant to many countries with cheap guest houses like Thailand. 

Volunteering - not an issue for most.

Safety - the young are indestructible (at least they think so).

Beer - the lubricant of a good time, essential. 

52 minutes ago, Cake Monster said:

Not to even mention the huge cost of getting into the Country in the first pace.

Something Mummy and Daddy would not fund , I guess.

At least the snobs here whose mummy and daddy were too mean to let them go and enjoy  backpacking will be pleased, I guess. They won't be feeling so jealous and have to make as many derogatory remarks to feel superior.

Read recently that people place Thailand in the top ten to retire. I'd understand between being a young student and retiring these kids get either smarter or dumber.  I'm sure I don't know as much as a retiree as when I was in my 20's; yet here I am. 

Your spiel sounds like gap year is automatic for all and is compulsory for all to do international travel.

 

It's not!

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand came in at 25^th which is surprising, considering the number of backpackers who have visited the land of smiles in the past.

Past - Old Normal
Present - New Normal

"Nong.  If you digital nomad and make 1 million THB a month - welcome to Thailand.
You!  Dirty backpacker.  We no want!"

Normal young people - "Let's see.  I have to wade though all this paperwork, applications, insurance, tests, and if I have a positive Covid test in Thailand - I'll get thrown into Covid Jail?  And what?  The bars, pubs, and night entertainment are closed.  And wear a mask all the time outside of your hotel room or risk a $600 fine? 
<makes farting sound>  Pluuuutttttt!
Humm.  Mexico looks good even with cartel members shooting each other from jetskis." 

By the way.  I don't buy any of this. 
Covid has screwed the world's tourism. 

I want to go to the Netherlands - hummm cops firing live rounds into groups of protesters.  Nyah.
I want to go to Ireland - double jobbed and a nasal swab to have a beer.   Oh! Wait!  Triple jabbed now or you're "Unvaxxed?  Can we see your papers please?" <then you get Omicron anyway>

And remember - Thailand!  Best Place To Retire!!!

Well, except when you can't enter the country during a lockdown because you're foreign scum.  Can't return to your Thai home, can't return to your Thai family.  And then when you can, you have to jump through hoops Thais do not. 
"I have a condo and assets in Thailand!!!"

"I'm married to a Thai and have Thai children!"

You foreigner.  You danger to Thailand dirty foreigner. 

The only thing that makes foreigners "clean" is perhaps multi-millions of foreign capital which you transfer to Thailand!

We make you citizen now! You rich maak maak!

8 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

And 9.00pm closing of bars, students would love Thailand ! ????

Even more so if the bars were open! (Restaurants have to close at 9pm)

On the one hand TAT are trying their hardest to attract people to Thailand, and on the other hand the Government seem to be making it as difficult as they can for people to get in!

 

It's a funny old world!

2 hours ago, ThailandGuy said:

"However, the survey perhaps did not take into consideration, that students love the laid-back style of many remote regions in the country known as the Land of Smiles. "   say what?  They love to drink and make fun. So money for beer does go into the equation. 555555

Now?  Drink a beer and get arrested and deported as well as called every name in the book except a human by Thai and virtue signaling farang alike. 

These polls are at best nonsense which are regurgitating past demographics and applying them to a reality that no longer exists.
I.e., ox and buffalo manure.

6 hours ago, Enoon said:

 

 

"Quality" tourists a fantasy,

 

Backpacking gappers not interested in the currently Byzantine and expensive entry process.

 

That leaves the "family" market.

 

Or not........who wants to pay "internment" costs for a family of four with the sniffles?

 

GO THAILAND!

 

 

Mommy got sniffles.  Daddy tests positive. Mommy tests positive.
Mummy and Daddy separated from children and left in care of - Who?
Everyone tossed in a quarantine or hospital. 
"Children safe but you no can visit."
Sure they're safe.  Like I trust Thailand with the well-being of my children or grand-children without me present.
"Mummy and Daddy in Covid jail Nong.  You no worry.  Uncle Somchai take very good care of you."

<10 to 14 days later>

Sorry insurance no cover Covid if you no sick.  You pay 400,000 THB for Thailand take care of family or you no can leave Thailand.  Uncle Somchai take good care of children until you have money.

You couldn't pay me enough money to expose my kids or grandkids to Thailand in its current state. 

 

8 hours ago, JonnyF said:

If I didn't have ties to the place (gf, condo, vehicles, job etc.) there would be dozens of places I'd visit before I considered coming here.

Exactly what I think myself

4 hours ago, mike1967 said:

If the Thai authorities gave a damn they would do something about it. Oh yeah, they have. Just charged an extra 300 baht to enter the country. TIT

The Thailand "old hands" know that's exactly the Thai logic at work : if customers (for whatever) get fewer, prices will get higher to compensate. The fact that higher prices will discourage even more would-be customers has never come to the mind...... Go and try to understand!