Prospective gap year backpackers are being encouraged to fund and plan their trips with the help of their family and friends over Christmas.
Gap year planning site Send Us Packing allows gap year savers to plan their trip and then request financial contributions of friends and family members through as well.
The site is intended to simplify the planning process in much the same way as social networking and travel advice sites such as Facebook and Trip Advisor do.
But in addition, the site will also provide gap year students the opportunity to request contributions of advice or money for their trip, via debit card.
The company also think it will serve as a practical alternative to ordinary Christmas gifts.
Alternatively, casual jobs arranged during a gap year are also a popular option for funding the trip.
In Australia for example, many gap year travelers fruit pick for a few months to earn themselves some valuable cash.
According to Send Us Packing, gap year tourists typically need to save around £4,800 to fund a gap year to cover spending costs abroad.
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