The sky's the limit
Are you looking for a more meaningful way to spend your two-month summer break than just lying on the couch watching TV?
From football practice with Manchester United, to ecology training in Osaka, Japan, there's an overseas study camp to suit most interests and budgets.
Britain is usually a very popular destination for students. But with an overall rise in prices of up to 10 per cent, because of exchange rate differences and higher costs, particularly for oil, travel agents point out that the numbers signing up for less pricy tours in Asia are increasing.
Senior marketing manager Balwin Yeung Pok-hung from Hong Thai Travel Services says that a table tennis training camp in Zhongshan is among the most heavily subscribed trips this year. The Olympic effect, the popularity of ping pong and the attractive price have all played a part, he explains. The six-day tour to Zhongshan, including 14 hours of intensive table tennis training, costs HK$3,399.
'For parents, six days aren't too long and would still give the children a chance to learn how to be independent,' he says.
On the other hand, football is still a big hit with local youths. So, a 16-day summer camp with Manchester United would be every boy's dream, despite a cost of HK$37,999, about 10 times more expensive than a ping pong tour to the mainland.
'There's certainly a brand effect,' Mr Yeung explains. And winning this year's Premier League has made the team even hotter.
Mr Yeung adds that eco-tourism has become more popular with parents and students in recent years, causing a significant growth in their Osaka ecological training camp.
But once you've decided where you want to go, what else should you look out for before signing up?
Even though it has not received a significant number of complaints about summer tours in recent years, the Consumer Council and the Travel Industry Council (TIC) still remind parents and students to study the terms and conditions of the trips carefully, and make sure they know what they are paying for.
Some tour prices include general travel insurance, but parents may well need to purchase additional insurance to cover their children. In addition, oil surcharges and airport taxes are not included in the price. Travel agencies also advise students to bring extra money for use in an emergency.
Service providers should hold a valid Travel Agents Licence. Most service providers claim they will assign at least one tour escort who holds a valid Tour Escort Pass, issued by the TIC, to each study tour, but the ratio will vary with the age of the participants. Generally one tour escort will look after 8 to 20 participants.
TIC executive director Joseph Tung Yao-chung reminds parents to check carefully where their children would be staying and what would be taught on the trip.
