Distant trips 'popular for grown-up gap years'

Distant locations such as Cambodia, South Africa and Japan are becoming increasingly popular with people on 'grown-up gap years' who did not have the chance to travel earlier in life, it has been claimed.

According to P&O Cruises, older travellers are beginning to indulge themselves by adventuring to destinations that are more accessible than ever thanks to the expanding world tourism industry.

Philip Price, head of brand marketing for the company, said: "A world voyage is the most indulgent and leisurely way to see the world.

"We are finding that they are increasingly popular with people who did not have a gap year earlier in life and now have the inclination to do so, but in a little more comfort and style."

In response to this trend, P&O Cruises is launching its biggest ever voyage programme for 2009, with three ships visiting 71 destinations in 34 countries.

The company is one of the oldest members of the modern travel industry, having been operating cruise ships for more than 170 years.

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