VolunTourism trend boosts gap year insurance need

VolunTourism, a new initiative introduced to the travel market by Relief Riders International, could prove popular with

Travel Insurance News - 27/07/2005

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VolunTourism, a new initiative introduced to the travel market by Relief Riders International, could prove popular with gap year students, yet travel to underdeveloped and disaster-struck areas will require extensive insurance coverage.

Relief Riders International has created a new niche in the extreme travel market by offering horseback holidays in developing countries, while taking important supplies and providing vital voluntary services to areas in desperate need.

The company, which won Outside Magazine's 2005 Best Trips Award, pioneered a VolunTourism trip to Rajasthan in north-west India in February of this year, delivering food and medical supplies to local villagers.

One of Relief Riders International's next trips, to areas badly affected by last year's tsunami, will no doubt appeal to those backpackers or gap year students keen to get involved in humanitarian work abroad.

However, the journey through the southern province of Sri Lanka will require gap year travellers and backpackers to secure comprehensive travel insurance before departure, to protect them against any medical and health complications while journeying in these disaster-struck areas.

The horseback relief mission will also cover a total of 170 kilometres and travellers should check whether their travel insurance covers them for sometimes hazardous activities such as horse riding.

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