Calls to tap into growing youth travel market

Ireland could reap millions of euro by tapping into the youth traveller market, delegates at a conference will be told today.

The week-long General Assembly of Federation EIL (FEIL) will take place in Cork and Kevin Hickey, the director of EIL Intercultural Learning, has said young travellers are no longer a niche market and, instead, spend more time and money when they go from country to country.

He will tell delegates the economic potential for Ireland in tapping this market is vast and could lead to Ireland becoming a global leader in the sector.

“Youth travellers — those in the 16 to 29 age group, in particular — are one of the fastest-growing segments in the travel industry,” he said.

“Based on our experiences — and on the feedback we receive from the young people who participate in our programmes — we believe Ireland is well placed to become a global leader in youth travel. This could offer enormous opportunities for the Irish economy.

“Our reputation for unique social interactions, high-quality travel facilities, and outdoor pursuits means we are well placed to attract growing numbers of youth travellers.”

International research indicates youth travellers account for 20% of international arrivals, generating an estimated 160 million visitors and a global market worth more than €1.26bn a year.

The keynote speaker at the FEIL General Assembly, director general of the World Youth, Student and Educational Travel Confederation, David Chapman, said research by his organisation showed the average spend of backpackers and gap-year students is now nearly €3,000 during a 70-day trip, of which a significant amount is spent within the destination itself.

“Youth travel has grown massively over the last five years, with the amount spent per trip growing by 90% since 2002 and 40% since 2007,” he said, adding it was time to “dispel the myth that youth travel is a niche market”.

The FEIL event is being hosted by EIL Intercultural Learning, the country’s oldest intercultural learning organisation. More than 80 delegates from 29 countries, including Ghana, Japan and Ecuador are attending the FEIL General Assembly in Cork this week.

The World Youth and Student Travel Conference will take place in Dublin in September this year.