Young taking ‘cause’ breaks
MILLENNIALS are choosing volunteer trips over boozy, relaxing holidays.
Since adding volunteer holidays to its list of services, Gold Coast company Global Work & Travel Co has more than doubled its business.
Given that more than 72 per cent of the company’s business is 18-25-year-olds, CEO Jurgen Himmelmann said he can see young people want more than simple holidays now.
“We noticed there was a big growing interest to actually go overseas and not just go to Bali and lay on the beach for two weeks but actually go off the beaten track and make a difference for an important cause,” he said.
“A lot of people, especially young people, are more conscious about the environment or the impact they’re having.
“And it’s not just the feelgood factor, it’s fun as well. You can go to Thailand and lay on the beach and drink cocktails or you can go a kilometre into the jungle and help raise orphaned monkeys that have been rescued. You get to see the real side of the country and do something good.”
According to a survey held by Intrepid Travel, 70 per cent of travellers wanted to “go places less visited by mainstream tourists” and “see and do something new”.
They also tipped that in 2019, millennials will drive responsible business in the tourism sector and opt for challenges over cocktails.
Mr Himmelmann said the most popular volunteer holidays Global Work & Travel Co offer are wildlife related in South-East Asia.
“We have a rescue centre in Bali that looks after different animals that have been rescued from the illegal animal smuggling trade,” he said.
“We have Rescue Paws, which we started ourself in Thailand where volunteers look after street dogs that have been injured or dumped and try to adopt them out.
“And we have another called Trunks and Tails, which is an elephant sanctuary where elephants have come from sad backgrounds and the volunteers feed them and help them get healthy.”
The Gold Coast is a strong area for the company, with the third most travellers coming from the Glitter Strip after Sydney and Melbourne.