Despite the major affects of the credit crunch, the number of young students opting to travel abroad has increased.

The tourism industry has seen the fastest growing number of young people travelling abroad according to research conducted by the World Youth, Student and

Educational (WYSE) Travel Confederation and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

The study revealed that the US, Australia and France are the most popular three destinations for the young travellers including gap year students.

70 per cent of these travellers have a purpose for travelling with the intention of studying, learning a language or taking on voluntary work, according to graduate website,get.hobsons.co.uk.

UK Marketing Director of STA Travel, Celia Pronto said “Destinations that are increasing in popularity include Panama, Nepal and Argentina.”

She added that there are also other countries that are emerging to be popular with gap year students.

Head of Sales and Marketing at Releigh International, Rachel Collinson advised that gap year students who opt to travel should ensure they have adequate travel insurance.

She urged that these young travellers should ensure that they are aware of health concerns which may be involved in travelling abroad.

Pronto also added that &ldquoTravel insurance is an absolute must for any traveller to ensure they are covered for every eventuality wherever they are in the world.”