With rising rents and high student debt, cash-strapped millenials are increasingly forgoing the traditional ‘gap year’ in favour of pursuing life-enriching experiences much closer to home.

Recent research from VisitBritain has revealed that while 82% of 18-34 year-olds would consider taking a career break to travel abroad, only 24% say they are likely to do so within the next three years.

Among the reasons they gave, 75% said financial constraints would prevent them from going on an extended getaway and 41% were concerned about the impact on their career progression.

In response to this, VisitBritain have launched their ‘microgapping’ campaign, to encourage more millennials to travel within the UK.

What is ‘microgapping’?

According to VisitBritain, ‘microgapping’ is defined as “the act of taking short breaks that offer the same enriching opportunities for self-development experienced on a typical gap year or career break”.

The activities and experiences that respondents were looking for in long-term travel included relaxation and wellbeing (50%), seeing iconic landmarks (41%), trying local food and drink (33%), seeing nature or wildlife (33%), outdoor activities and sports (18%), learning new skills (16%) and supporting good causes (13%).

But there’s no need to travel to a far flung destination – many of these opportunities for self-development can be found right on our doorstep. That’s why a mini-trip in the UK – or ‘microgap’ – could be the perfect solution for those who want to get away, but can’t afford the cost or the time off work.

An opportunity for domestic travel

Clare Mullin, director of marketing for VisitBritain said: “From mastering the pottery wheel at a ceramics course in North Wales to walking alpacas in the Lake District, from canoeing on Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland to soaking up the live music scene in Glasgow, Scotland, we want young people to take a new look at the adventures, experiences and destinations on offer.”

And the idea is proving popular – according to their research, 64% of millennials liked the idea of taking a ‘microgap’ in the UK and 57% said they were likely to do so within the next three years.

Changes in the way that people work are also contributing to the growth of the trend. Of those surveyed, 40% said that their employers already offer flexible working hours and 75% said that flexible hours do or would make them more likely to travel. The prevalence of these new workplace practices only looks set to continue in the future and open up more opportunities for travel, which could present a big opportunity for the domestic travel industry.

Discover microgapping destinations at the British Tourism & Travel Show

For those looking to tap into the trend, there are plenty of microgapping attractions and destinations to discover at the British Tourism & Travel Show next month.

The two-day show will feature over 270 exhibitors, including leading visitor attractions, destinations and venues from across the British Isles, making it the perfect place for travel trade professionals to source ideas and inspiration.

British Tourism & Travel Show returns to NEC Birmingham on 20-21 March 2019. To register for a free trade ticket, please visit www.eventdata.uk/Forms/Form.aspx?FormRef=BTT39Visitor