World Youth Adventures is now booming with schools now searching for travel experiences for students in 2021, following domestic travel restrictions lifting.
The company is the school and youth division of adventure travel tour operator, world expeditions and is Australia’s longest established school tour operator, first offering student adventures to Nepal in the 1980’s.
Before COVID-19 struck in 2020, the company organised travel for dozens of school groups that combined an element of physical activity – such as trekking or cycling – with a service-learning component, which included a community project designed to benefit an underprivileged community in a developing country.
General manager Scott Pinnegar said the surge in enquiries in recent weeks from secondary schools is an encouraging indicator that confidence is returning.
“School groups are traditionally the most sensitive sector within travel, with stringent safety regulations and protocols required because most participants are minors, so it’s particularly encouraging to see so many regaining the confidence to consider travel,” Pinnegar said.
“It’s an indicator of educators’ regard for the learning benefits that these immersive travel experiences can provide to students. Although experiences in recent years have taken place in overseas destinations, there is a huge range of opportunities locally – and many schools are keen to explore what’s on offer.”
World Youth Adventures offers dozens of domestic itineraries, such as the nine-day culture and Kakadu national park trek and the eight-day central Australia culture, Larapinta and Uluru, an activity-based, cultural program designed to give an insight into indigenous Australia through activity.
New Zealand itineraries are also available, in expectation of an Australia – New Zealand bubble being established.
The eight-day New Zealand Multi Activity & Hinewai Conservation Program is an active learning journey designed to showcase the highlights of Otautahi, Christchurch and Canterbury.
The program incorporates a study of the conservation programs in place, a series of walking challenges and cycling along a historical rail trail.
