- One in ten over 50s want to go on a backpacking holiday
- Top 10 travel destinations for over 50s revealed
- Top 5 domestic travel destinations for over 50s
Once just considered a rite of passage for gap-year students and the travel preference of hard-partying early 20-somethings, one in ten Australians aged over 50 say they want to take a back-packing holiday, according to Apia, the leading financial services provider for over 50s.
Apia’s in-depth report in to the thoughts and intentions of Australia’s fastest growing demographic group, Life Begins at 50, found that nearly 80% of over 50s say that travel is important to them and 70% have a ‘bucket list’ of places they would like to visit during their retirement years,
The most popular type of holidays for over 50s is the grand overseas adventure, with driving holidays, beach holidays, trips to the outback and cruises rounding out the top five types of holidays this adventurous group of Aussies group would like to take.
| Top domestic travel destinations Aussies aged over 50 want to go to | Top Types of holidays Aussies aged over 50 want to take |
| 1. Tasmania | 1. Overseas holiday |
| 2. Broome | 2. Driving holidays |
| 3. Kakadu | 3. Beach holidays |
| 4. Far North Queensland | 4. Outback holidays |
| 5. Uluru | 5. Cruises |
| 7. City-based holidays | |
| 8. Caravanning around Australia | |
| 9. Camping | |
| 10. Back-packing |
The world famous Great Barrier Reef and Great Ocean Roads rank only equal sixth in the desirable domestic destination table.
Grant Taylor, Executive Manager of Apia commented that, “Older Aussies are an adventurous bunch. Simply turning 50, 60 or 70 doesn’t necessarily mean they are relegated to pottering in the garden or doing needlepoint. They have the time for a long trip, and backpacking presents an affordable alternative to a long-term trip, so it’s no wonder we see one in 10 wanting to give it a go.
“Australians over the age of 50 are keen to get out there and see the world, and have a good time while doing it,” Mr Taylor continued. “But, while they are keen to explore the world, and Australia, they are absolutely conscious of the cost of travelling. More than 60% say they are interested in a driving holiday, for example, compared to only 37% interested in a luxury holiday.”
Professor Kaarin Anstey from the Ageing Research Unit at ANU added, “Travel provides older adults the opportunity to keep busy and to connect and engage with others. The mental stimulation of new environments and the associated physical and social activity that travel encompasses provides an important avenue for improving one’s quality of life.”
For further information and to arrange interviews, please contact:
David Skapinker
Senior Communications Advisor, Apia
T: 02 8121 1404
M: 0467 801 922
E: David.skapinker@suncorp.com.au
Apia is a specialist insurance provider for people aged over 50. Providing a wide range of home and contents, car, caravan, motor home, boat and life insurance solutions tailored to the over 50s life stage, Apia has a network of 28 branches across Australia serving almost 700,000 policy holders. For more information on Apia visit www.apia.com.au
Australian Pensioners Insurance Pty Limited ABN 14 099 650 996 (Apia) acts as agent and authorised representative of Australian Alliance Insurance Company Limited ABN 11 006 471 709, the issuer of the general insurance products.
