gap travel tours

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Make this your year

Experience the world and discover your passions. Build real-world skills, make lifelong memories, and return home a better you. For ages 18-22.

Two program lengths

Choose how long you want to travel. With Year & Semester programs, there's an EF Gap experience for everyone.

The EF Gap Year Program

Discover the world on the ultimate, global gap year: explore Europe, Asia, and Australia through a combination of guided exploration and cultural immersion. Learn more

Semester Programs

Spend your gap semester living in different parts of the world, experiencing multiple destinations in depth. Combine language study, service-learning, and/or an internship. Learn more

The most productive break of your life

The gap year is not an alternative to college. It’s about preparing yourself to make the most of college—and in many ways, the rest of your life. Our innovative experiential learning model helps students discover their goals, while equipping them with the confidence and skills to get there.

Develop global skills

Travel the world, experience new cultures, and gain valuable life skills abroad.

Grow into your best self

Become a more confident, independent, and resilient version of yourself.

Define your life path

Return home with greater clarity about your goals and inner compass.

Gain a competitive edge

Enter college more socially and academically prepared, with life experiences under your belt.

The world leader in international education

When you travel with EF Education First, you travel with a global organization that has been in operation since 1965. EF’s mission has always been to open the world through education, and we’ve delivered on that promise for millions of students.

Years of operation

Countries and regions

Offices and schools

Staff, faculty, and teachers

Interested in traveling with us? Here’s what to do next!

Taking a gap year before or during college is an incredibly worthwhile experience. It can also be a complex decision. We strongly recommend speaking with someone on our admissions team as you determine which program or destinations are right for you.

Set up a time to talk

Fill out a short contact form and one of our EF Gap Year Consultants will be in touch to walk you through the program and answer any questions you may have.

Join a virtual info session

Not ready to talk to us just yet? Learn more about how our program works and get your questions answered at one of our weekly virtual info sessions.

After completing this short form, one of our EF Gap Year Consultants will reach out to schedule a time to talk in more detail about which of our programs is right for you. For U.S. students ages 18–22.

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• Australasia
• Latin America
• North America

The Ultimate Gap Travel Resource Website

Whereas in 2001 there were just a handful of gap travel providers, now in 2011 there are getting on for 100 gap travel organisations, and many of these are handling thousands of travelling customers every year.

Gap Travel has grown because taking a gap year or gap break has become the norm for young people leaving school or university. Now, with tuition fees presenting a financial threat to potential university students, and with the current poor employment prospects, many young people are thinking that they may just as well take a gap trip.

Older people too are taking gap travel journeys. Most do not take a full year, and so the term gap year is being replaced by gap trip, or better…gap travel.

People who take gap travel journeys are often referred to as gappers or gap travellers.

It is important that students who are planning to go to university, or find a job upon their return, do something worthwhile on their gap travels, such as volunteering or undertaking paid work, or learning new skills such as how to sail or how to speak a foreign language. A gap trip spent simply having fun will not impress the university  admissions people or the employers nearly as much as a well structured and useful gap travel journey..

Most people decide where to go on their gap travels first, then look at options for activities in the countries that they plan to visit, and there are lots of gap travel options, such as adventure travel, volunteering with local communities or with wildlife or conservation, paid work, learning new skills, learning a new language, taking tours and much more.

We hope that this website will give you ideas about where you can go and what you can go on your gap travel journey.

G Adventures: Is It Worth the Money? Our Honest Review

It's never easy to pick a group tour, especially when they're all saying the same things. Are they actually as great as they're saying they are? Find out what their tours feature, whats their pros and cons are, and how they compare to other tour companies.

Traveling solo is quite difficult when compared to traveling in a group with friends or family. You have to tackle everything from planning the trip to navigating your way to conversing in a foreign language with locals. This is where Pilot comes in handy to aid you in the trip planning process and allow you to focus on making meaningful experiences. However, planning a trip alone all by themselves is not for everyone.

This is why tour companies are a good choice for solo travelers who also have less experience! They can help you optimize your travel experience better. But, as you might know already, there’s an endless list of options when it comes to tour companies. As if choosing from the endless possibilities of tour companies isn’t enough, the entire outcome of your trip depends on the tour company you choose.

Let us help you pick the right tour company for you. We’re here to review a popular adventure travel company, G Adventures.

G Adventures is a tour service that pledges to “Do the Right Thing” by offering travelers valuable experiences and supporting local communities at the same time. It is a company that supports ethical tourism, and we thought it is worth your attention.

If you're looking for more options, we've previously done reviews of similar tour companies like GetYourGuide so you might want to check that out as well!

Is G Adventures a good tour company? Read our review to find out!

What is G Adventures?

G Adventures , formerly known as Gap Adventures, was founded by Bruce Poon Tip in 1990. It is an adventure travel company that carries out guided tours in small groups of up to 16 people. They offer itineraries to destinations around the world, mostly with local tour guides to assist travelers. 

Since its inception, G Adventures tour has earned fame as a tour operator that offers unique and off-the-beaten-path experiences for travelers, with a focus on sustainability and responsible travel.

Who uses G Adventures?

G Adventures tour caters to travelers aged 18 and above. Its main client base consists of young to middle-aged travelers, and some tours are restricted to independent travelers between 18-39 years. However, there are packages for older travelers and families as well. 

G Adventure tours are mainly focused on adventure travel aspects, but they do provide other types of travel tours. They offer a standard tour service which is neither budget-friendly nor luxurious but somewhere in between. G Adventures is ideal if you need the support of a reliable tour company but with ample flexibility to do your own thing!

What does a G Adventures tour include?

Every trip has a Chief Experience Officer (CEO), otherwise known as a tour guide, to assist the group throughout the trip. They are mostly locals, although some can be expats with good knowledge about the destination.  

G Adventures will take care of accommodation, transportation (within the destination), some meals (mostly breakfast), and the costs of entrance tickets for attractions and other major experiences included in the itinerary. 

What’s not included in the pricing are visas, airfare (unless you book via them), border crossing fees, meals, additional activities, and tips. So, it's necessary to bring extra cash.

What are the types of tours offered by G Adventures?

G Adventures offers a long list of tours based on different travel styles, experiences, and age categories.

• Classic Tours : A mix of different experiences that include major attractions and activities, cultural sites, uncommon and local experiences.
• National Geographic Journeys : A high-end tour with close-up experiences of the best attractions and activities of the destination.
• 18- Thirtysomethings Tours : Fun, fast-paced, and adventurous tours ideal for the young. Expect a lot of partying and drinking.
• Wellness Tours : Tours focusing on yoga, meditation, nourishing food, and other experiencing focusing on self-improvement. Ideal if you are looking for a retreat.
• Active Tours : Action-packed activities like hiking, kayaking, biking, and other experiences that are ideal for adventure seekers.
• Rail Tours : Tours along famous rail routes in the world, experiencing different cities along the way.
• Marine Tours : Cruise tours exploring marine life and other attractions that are only accessible by boats or ships. Eg: G Adventures Arctic cruises.
• Local Living Tours : Tours that give you a good dose of local life in each destination.
• Family Tours: Tailor-made tours to cater to all family members with kid-friendly activities.

What's Great About G Adventures.

In a G Adventures tour, every major aspect of a trip is planned for you, ensuring you have a hassle-free experience. This way, you can focus on enjoying the trip without worrying about logistics, accommodation, etc. You also don’t have to worry about tackling a new language as your tour guide will help you.

• Better travel experience

Many guided-tour companies carry out tours in large, crowded groups, and it’s not a very comfortable experience. Most of the time, it feels like you are taken from place to place with less time to enjoy them. G Adventures tours allow for more interaction. They hire knowledgeable local tour guides to give you informative details! Their tours also focus on authentic and off-the-beaten-path activities, helping you derive more localized experiences.

Many G Adventures reviews praised the service for its reasonable pricing. There are tours available in varying budget ranges, offering a choice for everyone. Traveling with a tour company shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg, and G Adventures is a good example of it.

• Transparency

G Adventure’s “Ripple Score” shows the impact of your spending on local communities. This way, you know how your travel supports the livelihood of people and businesses that need support. If you feel like making an impact while you’re traveling, this is the perfect opportunity to do so!

• Female-friendly

If you are a solo female traveler, there would be a bunch of concerns, regardless of how safe a destination is. G Adventures is renowned as one of the best tour companies for female travelers. They pair you with a female traveler when sharing accommodation and will update you on tips to stay safe when touring around.

What's Not Great About G Adventures.

• Tour guides

Your tour guide can significantly elevate or hamper your experience. While most of them tend to be very knowledgeable and eager to help, there are instances where travelers have got stuck with unreliable guides who are just there for the money.

• The cancellation policy

Although G Adventures claims to have a flexible refund policy, it seems to be otherwise. Many customers had to go through a frustrating process and lousy customer service to cancel their trips and claim a refund. Some had to wait over a year.

Also, G Adventures had canceled many trips over the last year due to the pandemic and has refused to provide refunds, inconveniencing many customers. Keep reading to find out what other people have been saying about their experiences.

• Poor choice of accommodation (rarely)

There had been instances when travelers had to stay in subpar hotels throughout their tour. The complaints included lack of amenities, insect bites, and poor customer service. We think it’s important to provide comfortable accommodation so travelers can get a good rest before their next trip.

Although not really a con, we like to warn you about how extras can easily pile up your expenses. When traveling in a group, you are somewhat compelled to go with the rest – be it dinner at an expensive restaurant or a river cruise (who wants to be a party pooper?). You might overspend if you are not cautious enough, especially if you are on a tight budget.

G Adventures vs. Contiki tours - What’s the difference?

A popular question amongst travelers looking for tour companies to choose from is the difference between the G Adventures tour and the Contiki tour. Which tour company offers the better touring experience, and why?

G Adventures and Contiki are both adventure-based tours that cater to young adults. They’re both small to medium-sized tours that offer authentic and local experiences. If you’re a solo traveler, both tours will likely pair you up with one or more travelers of the same gender in shared accommodation. 

In general, if you’re interested in socializing, making new friends, and partying, Contiki might be a better choice. If you’re interested in a slower-paced tour with more free time, then G Adventures might be the better choice for you.

As always, it’s a good idea to check the individual tours that you’re interested in to see what kinds of activities or people it would attract. If you’re not interested in strenuous activities, Contiki might be a better choice but there are always different tour options in G Adventures as well.

Contiki might be slightly cheaper and budget-friendly than G Adventures but keep in mind that different itineraries may vary in cost and you might also spend more during your trip on optional activities.

What’s up with the G adventures reviews?

As with every tour company, your experiences will vary from the people and guides that you’re traveling with. However, there seem to be a few G Adventures complaints that talk about the same points. We’ll summarize some G Adventures reviews here for you so that you can make a more informed decision on picking the right tour company for you.

One of the big complaints that many users experienced is the level of knowledge the “CEOs” have during their trip. Some “CEOs” will provide an excellent guide that goes above and beyond what you’d expect on a group tour, while others might not. With group tours, it’s very difficult to know who you’re going to get, but the majority of the reviews on the quality of their guides are quite positive.

Some G adventure reviews have mentioned that their dietary restrictions were not honored during the trip. This might be due to the lack of communication between the service and their caterers. If you have dietary restrictions, make sure to check up ahead of the trip to make sure that everything’s good!

Another complaint that travelers had with G Adventures was with the amenities that come with the accommodations. Some of the travelers found that there was no air conditioning, bedding, hot water, etc during their stay despite the trip description saying that they’re provided. A good rule of thumb is to always check up with the trip operator ahead of time to reconfirm and make sure all the amenities are there!

Is G Adventures worth it?

With over 30 years of experience, we think G Adventures is a great tour company that knows what’s good for its clientele.

It takes the hassle of organizing everything by yourself and is a safer way to travel. There are downsides, of course, as with every other tour company. They also don’t offer tours for every country in the world, so make sure you check that. The choice also depends on your personal preference, and you can reach out to their support team and clarify your doubts.

If you want more options for other reliable and established tour guide companies, read our reviews on Contiki, Busabout , and EF Ultimate Break .

Our Rating: 4.6/5

• Adventure-based travel
• Local, real, and sustainable experiences
• Affordable tours
• Many positive experiences by past travelers
• Lacking amenities (sometimes)
• Varying customer service
• Frustrating cancellation policy
• Poor accommodation (sometimes)

Traveling solo? You’ll need a plan.

If you’re still indecisive about joining a group tour, why not try traveling solo? While it is daunting to go traveling alone, the experiences and friendships you’ll gain on the trip is second to none.

Whether you’re going on a trip solo or with friends and family, you’ll need a good plan. Let Pilot take care of that for you!

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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Gap Year World

Gap Year Tours

Do you want to explore the world? Book a group tour and visit some of the most incredible destinations around the globe. You will get to travel with like-minded people, make new friends and have a lot of fun.

From seeing world famous destinations in the USA, seeing ancient ruins in South America, getting close to exotic wildlife in Africa, city hopping in Europe to experiencing some of the most pristine beaches in Asia and Oceania, the hard part is choosing where to go!

Top Rated Tour Companies

These are some of the most popular small group tours around the world. For more options in specific destinations view our country guides.

Asian Adventure

• 16 days • Price from £2,255

Bali Experience

• 10 days • Price from £525

Thailand Island Hopper

• 14 days • Prices from £920

Ultimate Australia Tour

• 25 days • Price from £4,093

European Trail

• 23 days • Price from £2,430

Quito to Rio Adventure

• 65 days • Price from £6799

Croatia Sailing Adventure

• 8 days • Price from £976

Great Britain & Ireland

• 16 days • Price from £1,914

New Zealand Highlights

• 12 days • Price from £2,349

East Africa Safari Tour

• 12 days • Price from £3,253

Highlights of Southern Africa

• 30 days • Price from £6,079

Indochina Encompassed

• 29 days • Price from £2,789

Epic Centra America Tour

• 45 days • Price from £3,329

Cape Town, Safari & Victoria Falls

• 11 days • Price from £1,883

Best of California

• 9 days • Price from £2,299

Total Asia Tour

• 50 days • Price from £4,650

Greece Island Hopper

• 9 days • Price from £1,249

Mexico Coast to Coast Tour

• 22 days • Price from £2,273

Featured Tour Operators

If you are thinking about booking a tour, these travel companies are some of the best in the world and thousands of people book trips every year:

G Adventures

Founded in 1990, G Adventures is the leading adventure travel company offering the widest selection of affordable small group tours, safaris and expeditions to more than 100 countries on all continents. Whatever age, interest, ability or budget, G Adventures has a genuine life-changing trip for you.

Contiki are one of the best known names in the travel industry and offer 350+ global trips for 18-35 year olds. Book solo, with friends or a partner – leave with memories that’ll stay with you forever. Choose between tours in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Latin America & North America.

TruTravels are a specialist tour operator offering epic tours in Asia, Europe & Latin America for 18 – whatever year olds! Unlike the traditional tour companies, all tours have been put together and are run by travelers.

Topdeck Travel

Topdeck Travel designs epic trips for 18 – 30 somethings. Started by friends in 1973 who shared a passion for adventure, Topdeck Travel has a long history of delivering authentic and fun group travel. Today, Topdeck Travel offers trips in Europe, Australia & New Zealand, Asia, North America, the Middle East & North Africa and Africa.

Travel Styles

• Bike and Cycling • Island Hopping and Sailing • Hiking and Trekking • Festival and Party • Overland • Rail • Safaris • Wildlife

Why Book a Tour? Tours are a hassle-free way to travel as you get taken to the best locations and accommodation and sightseeing activities are included in some itineraries. There are short and long durations trips available to book all year round.

Types of Tours There are lots of different types of trips available, the most popular options being: • Small Group • Adventure • Hop On Hop Off

Where to Go Group tours offer you an unforgettable experience and the adventure of your life. Where you go comes down to your personal preference and budget. You can explore whole continents over a period of weeks and months, or pick an individual destination and discover the highlights in less than a week. Popular destinations to book tours include the Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Europe, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Costa Rica, Thailand and Vietnam – just to name a few.

Cost We work with top rated operators who offer budget and affordable trips for 18 – 35 year olds and prices vary depending on the trip, destination and duration. Organised tours can seem expensive but when you consider they usually include accommodation and activities they are sometimes cheaper than travelling independently. You also can’t put a price on peace of mind and getting guided to the best locations whilst not having to worry about where to stay and how to get around.

How to Book What are you waiting for, search our featured trips and book your next adventure today.

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GAP YEAR & ADVENTURE GROUP TRAVEL

 Explore amazing destinations, experience different cultures and make memories for a lifetime. Welcome to Ultimate Travel –  Gap Year and Group Adventure Tour specialists. Are you ready for your ULTIMATE moment?

At ULTIMATE, we believe that Gap Years and Adventure Travel are essential life experiences. We offer group tours, adventures & gap year travel for 18-35’s in Australia , New Zealand , Europe & Southeast Asia ! 

We have countless travel styles throughout Australia. Create a custom itinerary perfect for you, or join us on one of our popular East Coast Group Tours .  Thinking about a Working Holiday down under? Our iconic UltimateOz Working Holiday program is award winning and is the Ultimate way to set up your Gap Year. Are you wanting to experience new culture, food and adventure? We also offer Guided Group tours in Bali , Vietnam and Thailand , and Adventure Experiences and Custom Itineraries throughout Southeast Asia .

Let us introduce you to amazing destinations and give you countless #ULTIMATEMOMENTS.

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WORLD EXPERIENCES

ULTIMATE tours are all about exploring incredible destinations, experiencing new cultures and making lifelong memories; all with a group of new mates! Whether you’re travelling solo or with others, you’re guaranteed fun & adventure on our awesome guided group tours!

NEW MATES, NEW ADVENTURES

Experiences are better shared. When you join an ULTIMATE tour, you’ll meet travellers from all over the world and make great friendships that will last a lifetime! Chat to others booked onto your tour before you leave home and share the adventure with your new mates from day one!

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

Booking with ULTIMATE is easy! We wont charge you any fees to change your trip to a different date or tour if you do so 14 days before your start date. Lock in your start date with a LOW deposit. Deposit now, and pay the final balance 45 days before your start date.

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

We believe in supporting the local environment, economy and people in the areas we visit. We’re big nature lovers and only work with companies who share our core values, including caring for wildlife which is why we don’t ride elephants on any of our tours. The world is a beautiful place, lets keep it that way!

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TERMS & CONDITIONS OF ENTRY

This Competition is open to all Ultimate Travel customers. Posts must have been published from 01 Jan 2019 onwards, be original content captured or produced by the traveller and must be posted to a personal Instagram account. Qualifying entries must be deemed by Ultimate Travel to reflect the style of Ultimate’s brand and reflect experiences accessible by Ultimate customers. Posts with no association to Ultimate will not qualify. The winning post will be decided at the discretion of Ultimate Adventure Travel Pty Ltd. If you qualify for a prize, your acceptance of the prize consents Ultimate to a worldwide license to use the image within its marketing material and promotional activities. Entries must include the relevant Ultimate Travel hashtags at the time of posting. These must be clearly displayed and not hidden after bulk text or hashtags. Winners must be following Ultimate Travel on Instagram. Ultimate Travel reserve the right to withdraw and end this competition at any time.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ENTRY!

YOU'RE NOW IN THE RUNNING TO WIN A SPOT ON OUR 10-DAY ULTIMATE BALI TOUR FOR YOU & A MATE! 

THE WINNER WILL BE NOTIFIED ON 4TH MARCH 2019.

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The state of tourism and hospitality 2024

Tourism and hospitality are on a journey of disruption. Shifting source markets and destinations, growing demand for experiential and luxury travel, and innovative business strategies are all combining to dramatically alter the industry landscape. Given this momentous change, it’s important for stakeholders to consider and strategize on four major themes:

• The bulk of travel is close to home. Although international travel might draw headlines, stakeholders shouldn’t neglect the big opportunities in their backyards. Domestic travel still represents the bulk of travel spending, and intraregional tourism is on the rise.
• Consumers increasingly prioritize travel—when it’s on their own terms. Interest in travel is booming, but travelers are no longer content with a one-size-fits-all experience. Individual personalization might not always be practical, but savvy industry players can use segmentation and hypothesis-driven testing to improve their value propositions. Those that fail to articulate target customer segments and adapt their offerings accordingly risk getting left behind.
• The face of luxury travel is changing. Demand for luxury tourism and hospitality is expected to grow faster than any other travel segment today—particularly in Asia. It’s crucial to understand that luxury travelers don’t make up a monolith. Segmenting by age, nationality, and net worth can reveal varied and evolving preferences and behaviors.
• As tourism grows, destinations will need to prepare to mitigate overcrowding. Destinations need to be ready to handle the large tourist flows of tomorrow. Now is the time for stakeholders to plan, develop, and invest in mitigation strategies. Equipped with accurate assessments of carrying capacities and enhanced abilities to gather and analyze data, destinations can improve their transportation and infrastructure, build tourism-ready workforces, and preserve their natural and cultural heritages.

McKinsey Live event: Faces, places, and trends: The state of tourism & hospitality

Thursday, June 13 at 10:30 a.m EDT / 4:30 p.m CET

Now boarding: Faces, places, and trends shaping tourism in 2024

Global travel is back and buzzing. The amount of travel fell by 75 percent in 2020; however, travel is on its way to a full recovery by the end of 2024. More regional trips, an emerging population of new travelers, and a fresh set of destinations are powering steady spending in tourism.

There’s no doubt that people still love to travel and will continue to seek new experiences in new places. But where will travelers come from, and where will they go?

We share a snapshot of current traveler flows, along with estimates for growth through 2030.

The way we travel now

Which trends are shaping traveler sentiment now? What sorts of journeys do today’s travelers dream about? How much are they willing to spend on their trips? And what should industry stakeholders do to adapt to the traveler psychology of the moment?

To gauge what’s on the minds of present-day travelers, we surveyed more than 5,000 of them. The findings reveal disparate desires, generational divides, and a newly emerging set of traveler archetypes.

Updating perceptions about today’s luxury traveler

Demand for luxury tourism and hospitality is expected to grow faster than for any other segment. This growth is being powered in part by a large and expanding base of aspiring luxury travelers with net worths between $100,000 and $1 million, many of whom are younger and increasingly willing to spend larger shares of their wealth on upscale travel options. The increase is also a result of rising wealth levels in Asia.

We dug deeper into this ongoing evolution by surveying luxury travelers around the globe about their preferences, plans, and expectations. Some widely held notions about luxury travelers—such as how much money they have, how old they are, and where they come from—could be due for reexamination.

Destination readiness: Preparing for the tourist flows of tomorrow

As global tourism grows, it will be crucial for destinations to be ready. How can the tourism ecosystem prepare to host unprecedented volumes of visitors while managing the challenges that can accompany this success? A large flow of tourists, if not carefully channeled, can encumber infrastructure, harm natural and cultural attractions, and frustrate locals and visitors alike.

Now is the time for tourism stakeholders to combine their thinking and resources to look for better ways to handle the visitor flows of today while properly preparing themselves for the visitor flows of tomorrow. We offer a diagnostic that destinations can use to spot early-warning signs about tourism concentration, along with suggestions for funding mechanisms and strategies to help maximize the benefits of tourism while minimizing its negative impacts.

Six trends shaping new business models in tourism and hospitality

As destinations and source markets have transformed over the past decade, tourism and hospitality companies have evolved, too. Accommodation, home sharing, cruises, and theme parks are among the sectors in which new approaches could present new opportunities. Stakeholders gearing up for new challenges should look for business model innovations that will help sustain their hard-won growth—and profits.

Unbundling offerings, cross-selling distinctive experiences, and embracing data-powered strategies can all be winning moves. A series of insight-driven charts reveal significant trends and an outlook on the future.

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Money blog: Emirates boss says Heathrow is like a 'Second World War airport'

The president of Emirates airlines has said Heathrow Airport is "not good enough" and looks like a Second World War airport. Read this and the rest of today's consumer and personal finance news below - and leave your thoughts in the comments box.

Tuesday 4 June 2024 09:32, UK

• Heathrow is like a Second World War airport, says Emirates boss
• Gas prices hit highest level since December
• Glitch that delayed 500,000 benefit payments 'fixed', HMRC says
• HSBC announces mortgage rate increases

Essential reads

• The five different types of shopping addict
• How much are student loans, when do you start paying back and what is the interest?
• Your rights when deliveries or returns don't arrive - and why leaving instructions could jeopardise them
• Think twice before buying your holiday clothes from Zara
• Where is all the money going? Here's who is really responsible for concert tickets going crazy
• Would tourist tax put you off visiting Scotland?
• Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

The president of Emirates airlines has said Heathrow Airport is "not good enough" and looks like a Second World War airport. 

Sir Tim Clark said the airport was putting its shareholders before running a world-class business. 

"I was at Heathrow the other day and walking out of our lounge the ceiling height is awful," he said. 

"It looks like a utilitarian structure, post-Second World War. It is just not good enough." 

He argued Terminal 3, where Emirates is based, should be redesigned to make it better for passengers. 

Heathrow is "seriously lagging behind" in its customer experience, Mr Clark said. 

"It's an old airport. I'm afraid it's very difficult. You need to open up the whole terminal. Where we are based, new airports are being built employing the latest technologies to streamline the process of all the customer-facing elements. That is not the case at Heathrow."

Heathrow told The Telegraph: "Every pound we want to spend on improving airport facilities needs approval from our regulator. Despite having our proposals cut back in the current regulatory settlement, we will still invest £3.6bn upgrading our infrastructure over the next three years.

"We will continue to invest and to work with our airline partners to build an airport fit for the future."

Wholesale costs for natural gas have hit their highest levels across Europe since December last year - threatening a future spike in energy bills.

The cause is a key Norwegian export operation being shut down due to a cracked pipe.

The damage, discovered aboard the Sleipner Riser platform, prompted wider  energy  infrastructure to be halted including the Nyhamna processing plant which exports gas to the UK, pipeline operator Gassco said.

Alfred Hansen, the company's head of pipeline system operations, told the Reuters news agency: "This has big consequences from a supply perspective."

Read more on this, and how there's better new on oil prices, below ...

Yesterday we talked about the dopamine hit you get when shopping - and spoke to a psychologist about how you might learn to control it.

But what if it's gone too far? That's what we're discussing in the second of this four-part series this week.

A  piece by the Royal College of Psychiatrists , published by Cambridge University Press in 2012, said shopping addiction, often referred to as compulsive buying disorder (CBD), "was first described by the German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin almost a century ago".

He called the disorder "oniomania" (from the Greek onios, meaning "for sale", and mania, meaning "insanity").

A hundred years on, the World Health Organisation doesn't classify shopping addiction as a mental illness, unlike gambling, video game addiction, pyromania and kleptomania - but psychologists are taking note of the subject.

According to a 2021 paper in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions, potential  symptoms  of a compulsive shopping disorder include:

• Preoccupation with shopping (an irresistible urge to buy a product);
• Reduced control over buying behaviours;
• Buying products but not using them for the purposes they were intended to serve;
• Using shopping to regulate mood;
• Negative consequences afterwards such as guilt, shame, debt, relationship problems;
• Negative mood and cognitive symptoms if attempting to stop.

Donald W Black, a prominent American psychiatrist, has written extensively on the subject. He says the "disorder has a lifetime prevalence of 5.8% in the US general population".

There has been much debate about whether CBD is a valid mental illness - amid concerns of over medicalising. However, a growing number of rehab clinics are offering treatment.

The Priory's website says: "If you are addicted to spending money, and are finding that it is affecting your finances, relationships, health and quality of life, this is just as serious as any other addiction."

The Abbey Care Foundation says signs you may have a shopping addiction include juggling multiple credit cards, hiding extravagant spending from your family, hoarding things you don't use and getting angry at anyone who tries to get in the way of your spending.

The foundation even breaks down different types of shopping addict:

• Bargain-seekers:  These people have a shopping habit of actively seeking items on sale. When they spot items for less than their perceived value, they purchase them. This behaviour makes them feel like they are winning and relieves shopping addiction. 
• Collectors:  This shopping addiction entails seeking out different versions of a particular item. The desire to collect or complete a set of similar items drives this addiction. 
• Show-offs:  The compulsive behaviour is driven by the desire to buy high-value items. In some cases, the individual's self-worth or self-esteem is attached to making such purchases. 
• Trophy-hunters:  The shopping addiction is for rare, expensive items. The individual intentionally looks for the most expensive or rarest items and gains satisfaction in buying them. 
• Shopping bulimics:  This shopping addiction is like the eating disorder known as bulimia nervosa. Individuals categorised as shopping bulimics make large, frequent purchases only to request later refunds. They do so to cushion themselves from the financial consequences of making such large purchases. 

Join us tomorrow as we speak to a woman for who this used to be all too real - leading her into £40,000 of debt.

Passengers will soon be able to book British Airways flights in a few clicks as part of a major revamp by the airline. 

The company told The Telegraph it wanted to style its website on the "three clicks and you can check out" approach of Amazon. 

British Airways said it was spending £7bn on a revamp, which would see the company's app and website relaunched. 

Other changes will include new planes, revamped seats and refurbished airport lounges. 

Customers will also be able to rebook, claim a refund and cancel flights online. 

The new website is currently being trialled by people flying from London Gatwick to Montpellier in France, Antalya in Turkey and Bari, Cagliari and Catania in Italy. 

Basically, student finance is a government-financed loan that covers university students' tuition fees and living costs for the duration of their study. 

There are two main types of loan, tuition and maintenance - we'll take each in turn. 

Tuition fees 

Undergraduate courses in England generally cost students about £9,250 a year.

That's a lot for a young person (or their family) to cover, so the government offers to pay that outright, direct to the university, on their behalf. 

This is known as your tuition loan - we'll come to how this is repaid later. 

Maintenance loans

These help students cover day-to-day costs, such as rent and food, while studying.

For the 2024-25 academic year, students can borrow anywhere between £4,327 and £13,348 for each year of study - depending on where you live, where you're going to study and your family's financial situation. 

See how much you could be entitled to by clicking here .

The various plans 

Here's where it gets more complicated. What plan you may be on is listed below... 

Why no Plan 3? The repayment plan for postgraduate loans in England and Wales is actually Plan 3.

In the UK, you pay nothing up front, and the amount you pay back each month is determined by how much you earn. 

You'll repay a percentage of your income over the threshold for your type of loan, depending on how often you get paid - see the table below for the thresholds. 

With those thresholds in mind, you'll repay either:

• 9% of your income over the threshold if you're on Plan 1, 2, 4 or 5
• 6% of your income over the threshold if you're on a postgraduate loan (Plan 3)

If you're on multiple plans, the rules are slightly different.

If you don't have a postgraduate loan, you'll repay 9% of your income over the lowest threshold out of the plan types you have.

In this scenario, you'll only have a single repayment taken each time you get paid, even if you're on more than one plan type.

But if you do have a postgraduate loan, you'll repay 6% of your income over the postgraduate loan threshold  and 9% of your income over the lowest threshold for any other plan types you have.

You don't need to worry about paying it off each month yourself if you're employed - the money will be deducted from your earnings before it hits your account, like income tax. 

Interest rates

Like any loan, you'll be paying back what you owe plus a little bit on the top - known as interest. 

With student loans, that extra on the top isn't so little right now, as it is linked to retail price rises.

• 6.25% if you're on Plan 1
• 7.8% if you're on Plan 2
• 6.25% if you're on Plan 4
• 7.8% if you're on Plan 5
• 7.8% if you're on a postgraduate loan plan (Plan 3)

Read other entries in our Basically... series...

Royal Mail's incoming owner has refused to rule out stamp price hikes under his leadership. 

In fact, Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky seemed to suggest there might be more increases to come. 

"I can't make unconditional commitments," he told The Times when questioned on the topic. 

"[If] your circulation is 50% of what it was … you either need to go home, or you need to increase the unit price and hope that people will pay for it. Because if not, you are making losses.

"You can be loss-making for a year or two, but you can't be in a loss for 20 years. It's simple maths. There's no mystery to it." 

First class stamp prices have more than doubled since 2018 from 67p to £1.35. 

The businessman, nicknamed the Czech Sphinx, had his £3.6bn offer accepted by the postal service's parent company, International Distribution Services, last week. 

It said the agreement included a series of "contractual commitments" to protect public service aspects of the Royal Mail - such as its universal service obligation to "one-price-goes-anywhere" first-class post six days a week.

Many were shocked by the deal, with Royal Mail reporting losses of £1m a day in recent years. 

You can read more about the Czech Sphinx below...

A major error that meant 500,000 families did not receive their scheduled child benefit today has been "fixed", HMRC has said.

In a post on X, HMRC said affected families would get the money on Wednesday morning, two days after the payments were due...

Multiple readers have got in touch to say they had been affected by the problem, which meant almost a third of payments scheduled for today were not made.

Reader Susan1984 said: "When should we expect to receive the missing payment? This has left not just me but so many more families with kids completely stuck for food and fuel this morning."

Earlier, HMRC apologised and said it was working urgently to resolve the issue, which would not affected payments scheduled for tomorrow (see post at 14.41).

Child benefit is usually paid every four weeks on a Monday or a Tuesday at a rate of £25.60 for an eldest or only child and £16.95 for each additional child.

The bank has today announced wholesale rate hikes across its residential and buy-to-let mortgage product ranges. 

The new rates, which come into effect tomorrow, will be applied largely across its two, three and five-year fixed rates for purchase and remortgage. 

However, a number of rates available to existing HSBC customers looking to switch will also see increases. 

Brokers say more lenders could increase rates this week. 

This is thanks to an uptick in swap rates due to hopes fading for a cut to the base rate set by the Bank of England in June. 

Here is what some industry insiders told Newspage...

The dreaded 'higher for longer' scenario is no longer a mere notion: it's the harsh reality for many. It looks like these elevated rates are here to stay for the foreseeable future. Ranald Mitchell, director at Charwin Private Clients

We can now expect more awkward conversations with clients who have read that rates are coming down and inflation is under control. HSBC have been fairly competitive recently so the hope is that they just need to turn the tap off a little to catch up and this isn't an upward trend that will continue into the summer period. David Stirling, independent financial advisor at Mint Mortgages and Protection

HSBC is one of several lenders to already have announced changes this week. Even with the higher rates on offer, I would not suggest waiting in the hope of a drop any time soon. My advice to borrowers is take control of the situation and start the process of arranging a new deal as early as possible, secure a rate and, if a better one materialises, change to it. Simon Bridgland, broker/director at Release Freedom

Child benefit payments have not arrived on time for approximately half a million people.

Almost a third of payments scheduled for today were not made - and we've had multiple readers get in touch to say they've been impacted.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has apologised and said it is working urgently to resolve the issue.

"We're sorry that some customers' child benefit payments have not arrived as scheduled and we are working urgently to resolve the issue," said an HMRC spokesperson.

"The issues that caused payment problems today will not impact payments scheduled for tomorrow."

Child benefit is usually paid every four weeks on a Monday or a Tuesday at a rate of £25.60 for an eldest or only child and £16.95 per additional child.

Some people may receive the benefit weekly, for example if they are a single parent or receiving certain other benefits, such as universal credit.

HMRC added on X that there was "no need for customers to call us" and it will provide updates on the social media platform.

As of August 2023, 6.91 million families were in receipt of child benefit payments.

Reader Sam E said: "No warning, complete denial, no update, just endless worry for those who rely on the benefit. The denial in particular is an insult. How long will it be until it's sorted?"

Last week, the Scottish Parliament passed a bill meaning local authorities can set an additional charge for overnight accommodation. 

For tourists heading to Scotland, that means an extra fee for staying hotels, bed and breakfasts and holiday lets.

According to Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill, the fee will be a percentage of the cost of a hotel or other room.

For instance, a 1% levy on a £200 booking means a visitor would pay £2 in tourist tax.

We asked our followers in LinkedIn if the tourist tax would put them off visiting the country. 

The majority of them (59%) said it wouldn't stop them from taking a trip there - but 41% would think twice.

Any charges or levies are not expected to come into effect until spring 2026, as councils need to consult local businesses before carrying out an 18-month implementation period.

Those receiving disability benefits will not pay any charges, with children and young people also exempt.

Manchester, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole already charge people to stay the night. 

Manchester's £1-a-night City Visitor Charge was introduced last April, and is estimated to have raised around £2.8m in its first year.

European hotspots like Barcelona and Venice also have tourist taxes, with the Spanish city charging visitors €3.25 if they're staying in official accommodation.

Your comments on LinkedIn :

"We love Scotland (I'm a Scot) but live close enough to drive up and do some shopping and stay over for a meal etc and we do so perhaps every six weeks or so. So I'm now classed as a 'tourist' even though I spend about £200 on a room - perhaps another £200 quid on a meal and drinks etc etc - not to mention the money we spend in the shops. And they want to charge us both £2.50 a night?" Paul Mclean

Many countries apply tourist taxes, so why should Scotland be any different?The big questions, for me, are how will the money be spent? Will it be spent directly benefiting the city or just vanish into government coffers? The other is who counts as a tourist. A foreign national visiting from a country outside of the UK would seem a sensible definition, but to charge domestic visitors would probably be shootings themselves in the foot somewhat. Scott Taylor-Barr

From my experience, Edinburgh is already one of the most expensive cities to visit. Greig Cahill

Hopefully the contributions are put towards the development of tourism, and/or will be used in the right ways. From my experience working in France, French nationals are very accepting of the tourist tax and in France, I see the logic in it. Let's hope it works... 🤞🏻 Jennifer Wightman

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Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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