If you’ve been feeling burnout from the daily 9-5 and yearn for something different, you’re not alone. Many young professionals feel that way too, and they’re trading in their desks for passports and embarking on gap years to explore the world.
According to Contiki, a travel company catering to those ages 18-35, nearly 60 percent of respondents to its Voice of a Generation survey had booked a trip due to a gap between jobs, or decided to take a sabbatical or quit their jobs entirely to travel.
“Gap years are traditionally associated with college students, but young professionals are breaking the mold as a means to escape the pressures of the American workforce grind,” Contiki CEO Adam Armstrong said. These new gaps often range from three to six months.
Millennials, often more established in their careers, are still more likely than older cohorts to quit their job or take a sabbatical to travel. Gen Z travelers, many of them just entering the workforce, are also embracing the trend.
A year spent traveling can offer immersive experiences and access to a community of like-minded global travelers, Contiki noted.
