New research released today (July 29th) has suggested that South Africa is now the world's most popular destination for gap year travellers.
The Year Out Group conducted a study which revealed that the country now tops the list for backpackers, coming in ahead of Canada, Kenya and Peru.
The group's latest top-12 destinations survey also made the interesting finding that the UK has now dropped off the list.
A spokesman said: "The UK is no longer placed inside the top 12, as adventurous gappers venture increasingly further afield."
The claim that gappers are now becoming more adventurous is supported by the firm's previous research in May, which showed that 76 per cent of all backpackers are aged between 18 and 24.
South African tourism officials are seemingly aware of the increase in interest and have recently aired a tourism cinema commercial in countries such as Germany, the US and the UK.
Naturally, any gappers heading for the country and intending to participate in extreme sports or other potentially dangerous activities should ensure they have a backpacker travel insurance policy.
