Go abroad. Get paid.
A new poll has reported that two fifths of Brits plan not to take a summer holiday in a bid to improve their bank balances. But there are ways of getting your travel fix, and earning your keep at the same time.
Skyscanner introduces 10 holidays where you can make money, rather than just spend it.
1. Travel writing
Nice work if you can get it, plenty of people are making money by writing about their travel adventures. If you’ve got a way with the written word and an interesting story to tell, try pitching your article ideas to relevant magazines or websites, or even starting your own travel blog. WordPress.com offers writers an easy platform to start their own blog, and TheTravelWritersLife.com offers tips on all aspects of the travel writing business.
Earning Potential: from a few pounds up to £300 or more per article for top publications.
2. Travel photography
You’ll need to be pretty handy with a camera for this one, but if you know your ISO from your aperture, then you may be able to make a buck or two selling your snaps. Image banks like istock.com allow photographers to upload their pictures and then flog them to the rest of the world. If you’re good with video you could also set up your own YouTube channel and get paid for it – if you have enough of a following.
Earning Potential: top photographers can make a living from stock photography, but you’ll need quality, and quantity to succeed.
3. Teach English abroad
Native speakers of English have long been able to earn their keep by teaching their mother tongue in foreign lands. Almost every non-English speaking country has options for such work, from Japan to Jordan. A TEFL qualification is normally required, although not always necessary; in some places native English ability and an enthusiastic attitude alone will suffice. See TEFL or JET.
Earning Potential: Japan’s JET programme pays Y3,600,000 (£27,715) per year. It’s competitive and spaces are limited, but can be a lovely earner.
4. Sing for your supper
Can you play guitar, the violin, or the bagpipes? Many a musical traveller has made ends meet while on the road, by entertaining passers-by. A few hours playing your favourite tunes during rush hour could earn you enough coins to keep you going, so why not play your way around the world? One busker funded his entire trip from busking; read how here
Earning Potential: it depends on where in the world you are, but Violinist David Juriz averaged £83 per day, although he managed to bag £2500 in less than an hour in London during his first performance.
5. Work a ski season
There are many jobs available in ski resorts, most of which come with perks such as cheap or free accommodation, discounted food and that all important season lift pass. Jobs can vary from ski instructors (which will require an instruction certificate), to dish washers (which will require endurance) and everything in between.
Each job has its pros and cons with regards to pay, perks and how much time you get to spend on the slopes. Those with a British passport can work anywhere in the EU, and it’s also possible to arrange work for ski resorts in Canada, the USA or Japan. Check Natives.com to find jobs in ski resorts
Earning Potential: from minimum wage for a dish washer, up to £50/hour or more for experienced guiding.
6. Summer camp worker
The USA has a strong culture of summer camps where kids spend anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of months, learning arts and crafts, developing sporting skills and taking part in new activities. Camps tend to have an outdoor emphasis with campers living communally in cabins and there are a number of different jobs available: activity leaders, who spend most of their time running popular activities; support staff, who help out behind the scenes in the office, the kitchen and the grounds, and camp counsellors who mentor the kids on a day to day basis. See Camp America for more information
Earning Potential: the pay is only really pocket money, ranging from $600-$1200 a month, depending on the role, but board and lodging are free.
7. VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas)
This is an international development charity that recruits volunteers to work on projects in some of the poorest regions of the world. Volunteers come from range of backgrounds; there are positions for both young, unskilled people, as well as experienced professionals. You’ll get to put your skills to good use and work within a local community in return for a living allowance, accommodation, insurance, flights and training.
A great choice for a longer term career break, gap year or a shorter term trip (assignments of 1-6 months are available) – if you really want to make a difference, VSO is an ideal way to do it. For more information seeVSO.org.uk.
Earning Potential: all expenses are taken care of, from flights, through to insurance and accommodation, and you’ll also get paid a local living allowance.
8. Sail away
Dream of sailing into the sunset with the wind in your hair? Then crewing a yacht could be the job for you. OK – so it’s not all holiday – the work can be demanding at times, but in return you’ll get to laze on sunny decks, cruise turquoise seas and travel the world. According to YachtCareer.comthere is a worldwide shortage of yachting crew, so if you’re a salty sea dog at heart and seek adventure on the high seas, this is the paycation for you!
Earning Potential: depending on the crew, the role and the region, yacht crew make anything from $2000 to $15,000 a month.
9. Tree planting
Prince George, in British Colombia, Canada is the ‘tree planters’ capital’ of the world, where forestry companies are in constant need of people to plant seedlings. The area has become somewhat of a stop off point for travelling vagabonds looking to earn big bucks in a shortish amount of time.
You get paid per tree planted, so speed is of the essence here. It’s tough, physical work, and you’ll often be stationed in the middle of nowhere in a ‘bush camp’ for weeks, but once you get up to speed, the money can be good, and with little to spend it on, you can build your funds fast. You’ll need a visa to work in Canada – those under 35 can apply for one. See TreePlanter.com for more.
Earning Potential: veteran tree planters can bag up to $300 or more a day (though $200 is a more realistic figure for newbies) but be warned, it’s tough out there!
10. Just get a visa and go!
If you’d rather not tie yourself down to any particular job, it’s possible to get working holiday visas for many countries of the world, including: Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. These allow you access to the local job market where you can take on casual work or longer term employment, as long as you don’t overstay your visa limit. Favourite paycations include: grape picking, working in youth hostels or bar work.
Earning Potential: depends on the country and job; anything from minimum wage to big bucks if you’re qualified in any particular field.
