Consumer media 2002

2000-2001 was where all the mas media started for Tom Griffiths and as a result the gap year industry. They were exceptionally busy years for Tom as gapyear.com released the first ever 'Gap Year Reports' that gave the media an insight as to how there was actually a thriving gap year market that they didn't know about and the impact is was having on the education system (increasing deferrals), the development of young people and the emerging youth travel industry. Armed with hard facts Tom was able to open dialogue with the Editors and Producers to help them create some of the first major gap year pieces and supplements ever seen.

Following the .com boom, where sites like gapyear.com found themselves at the forefront of the changing nature of how young people accessed information and met others online, the Childers Hostel fire, the Kirsty Jones backpacker murder and 9/11 occurred. More and more young people were able to access travel advice and information online, yet the world of travel was being turned upside-down. The media went to town. It is fair to say that this was the period where Tom learned his media trade, facing up to tough quesuitons about the safety of young backpackers overseas.

Plugging the gap | Schools special reports | EducationGuardian.co.uk
EducationGuardian.co.uk - Oct 2, 2002
"don't waste this year," says Tom Griffiths, founder of Gapyear.com. "Remember that you have got 12 whole months - you don't have to rush into things. ...

---

Filling the gap: when school's out forever, your future is laid...
Geographical - AccessMyLibrary.com - Sep 1, 2002
"the gap year market is set to rise from around 40000 people to 90000 over the next three years," says Tom Griffiths, founder of the website Gapyear.com. ...

---

A perfect time to broaden your horizons - EDUCATION 2002; Having got...
Evening Standard - Aug 20, 2002
Tom Griffiths, founder of gapyear.com, A website offering advice about Taking A year out, adds: "it is A fact that using your gap year to demonstrate focus ...

---

Taking a break from your career to live your life.
Evening Standard - Aug 19, 2002
Tom Griffiths, founder of GapYear.com, a company specialising in "year-off" advice and information, says The idea of travelling to a mountainside village in ...

---

Students tell survey they feel let down by school careers advice;...
Western Mail - Aug 19, 2002
Tom Griffiths, founder of gapyear.com, believes the advisers should focus less on careers and more on children's abilities. ...

---

Education Wales: Gap year a positive step; SKILLS: Taking time out...
Western Mail - Aug 16, 2002
Founder of gapyear.com, Tom Griffiths said, ``They are using the 15 months to get a job locally which They can hopefully continue during university or in ...

---

A-level passes set for new record.(News)
Daily Post - Aug 12, 2002
Tom Griffiths, founder of gapyear.com, said the results of his latest survey showed most young people who planned to take A year out of their studies wanted ...

---

Taking a break from the 9 to 5 routine.
Evening Standard - Aug 12, 2002
GapYear.com founder Tom Griffiths says Taking a break from work is a positive thing and employers are coming round to the idea. ...

---

Bridging the gap.(News)
Liverpool Echo - Aug 12, 2002
TAKING a gap year between school and university could become the modern equivalent of doing national service, said Tom Griffiths, founder of gapyear.com, ...

---

A-Level passes set for new record.(News)
Daily Post - Aug 12, 2002
Tom Griffiths, founder of gapyear.com, said the results of his latest survey showed most young people who planned to take A year out of their studies wanted ...

---

Gap service.(News)
Western Mail - Aug 12, 2002
the founder of gapyear.com, Tom Griffiths, said yesterday that the results of his latest survey showed most young people who planned to take a year out of ...

---

School's out - for ever
EducationGuardian.co.uk - Jul 7, 2002
Emma's situation is what Tom Griffiths, founder of gapyear.com, The leading source of advice and information for people taking a year out, describes As ...

---

Keep on travelling, students told
Telegraph.co.uk - Apr 27, 2002
Tom Griffiths, founder of the website Gapyear.com, said that many of the risks taken by backpackers were unnecessary. "My concern is that It is now very ...

---

Mind the gap
This is Money - Apr 24, 2002
Tom Griffiths, founder of www.gapyear.com, says insurance is one of the most important things to sort out before you go. 'An alarming 25% of young people go ... Read more

---

Take the gap - but use it wisely
Independent - Jan 30, 2002
More students are now choosing to take part or all of their gap years within 10 miles of home, says Tom Griffiths, the founder of gapyear.com, ... Read more

---

Rules of the gap year road
Telegraph.co.uk - Jan 6, 2002
It's vital, says Tom Griffiths, founder of the website gapyear.com Between 30000 and 50000 of the young people leaving school this summer will take a gap ...