While much adventure travel information is aimed at young backpackers, recent research revealed travel is not just the domain of the young with middle-aged Brits still working their way through a wish list of destinations.
Older travelers haven’t lost their adventurous spirit
The poll of 2,000 adults aged 40 and above showed the average 40-something still has 7 countries to visit on their travel bucket list. In fact, over 40s reckon they have only visited a quarter of the countries they dream of going to around the world with popular backpacking destinations New Zealand, Canada, and Australia top of the list.
It also emerged that more than 6 in 10 are already looking forward to at least one trip abroad in 2019. Three in 10 over 40s even reckon they are more adventurous with their holiday choices now than they ever used to be with 38 percent preferring to go off the beaten track when they travel abroad. And rather than sitting by the pool, a fifth of over 40s have tried snorkeling on a trip abroad and more than one in 10 have been on a safari.
Why it’s better to travel in the later years
The study also found nearly half of over 40s polled say they go on more holidays now than at any other point of their lives with 6 in 10 putting this down to having more money now than they did in the past. And a quarter think it’s easier to get away and go jet-setting around the globe because their kids are older, while 46 percent have more time, according to the research.
Another 40 percent think their lives have simplified enough so they now have more freedom – in their 50s or beyond – to see the globe. And more than one in 5 have also gone travelling and taken a month or more off from work to visit different countries.
Aimee of Rough Guides who conducted the research said: “Travel is no longer the sole preserve of the young. It is important that the travel industry gives older travelers the same opportunities to have adventurous travel experiences as younger people if they want to and not dismiss them as being too old or boring.”