Gap Adventures reports strong growth in small-ship cruising & sailing voyages

Adventure tour operator records rising demand for voyages to Amazon, Antarctica, Galapagos, Greece, Thailand

Gap Adventures (www.gapadventures.com), leading provider of life-changing travel experiences, has announced plans to expand its marine offering as demand continues to grow for alternatives to mega-ship voyages.

The tour operator has recorded strong growth in its marine adventure offering over recent years, including completely selling out their Arctic cruise program for 2010, expanding their Greek sailing program from operating two to five boats in just six years to satisfy demand, while the ever-expanding Thailand sailing program, launched in 2009, virtually sold out in its first year.

“We always pay close attention to industry trends, and we’re happy to satisfy the demands of this growing community of sailing and cruising enthusiasts,” said Gap Adventures Head Honcho, Pete Rawley. “With more and more Australian travellers choosing smaller, sustainable marine adventures – as opposed to the traditional large-ship experience – the outlook for future growth is positive.”

In light of this demand, Gap Adventures plans to include Ko Samui sailing trips in Thailand from June to September 2011 to meet the year-round demand. The company is also investigating how best to expand its successful existing marine adventure products, along with sourcing exciting new journeys. While each Gap Adventures voyage is different, they all share the tour operator’s trademark sustainable and authentic thrills—and always save plenty of time to enjoy the unique local wildlife and intriguing cultures.

“Gap Adventures will continue to bring happiness to the lives of adventure-cruising fans through its expanding range of cruising and sailing experiences covering the globe—from the icy shores of Antarctica to the steamy jungles of the Amazon River Delta,” furthered Gap Adventures Head Honcho, Pete Rawley.

For more information, visit www.gapadventures.com

About Gap Adventures

Gap Adventures is a world leader in the adventure travel industry offering small group adventures on all seven continents and beyond to more than 100,000 global travellers annually. The award-winning trips, which focus on culture, nature and active travel, are ideal for those with a sense of adventure – people who want to leave the beaten path and authentically immerse themselves in a local culture or environment to experience the real world in a sustainable manner. Demonstrating its ongoing cultural, social and economic commitment to responsible tourism, Gap Adventures established the Planeterra Foundation, as a way the company and its passengers can give back to the communities visited. For more information, please visit www.gapadventures.com and www.planeterra.org