More and more older people are spending their retirement travelling
More and more 60-plus people are going travelling and for longer periods of time, than ever before - leading people to name it the 60-plus Gap Year.
Fifty-nine per cent of teh over-60s surveyed are taking nearly three holidays a year, with four per cent taking as many as seven a year,
The survey of regular travellers who use incognito was commissioned to establish how social attitudes and those towards travel have changed in the last 10 years.
Howard Carter, managing director of incognito, says: "Over the past couple of years we have noticed a real trend among the over-60s to take longer and more frequent holidays - and they are not just heading off to the UK's sleepy seaside towns, they are striking out abroad to many exotic destinations.
"Nearly 60 per cent of these pensioners are taking anaverage of 2.7 trips abroad every year while their children are opting to stay at home and save money."
It also found that over-60s are taking the most holidays, now travelling to more exotic location than any previous generations of that age. Ninety-nine per cent say that they are more active than their parents and grandparents were at the same age.
The survey found that the most popular destinations are Africa, India, South-East Asia, China and South America.
Howard continues: "The Baby Boomer generation clearly love their holidays abroad and are now competing with their grandchildren in opting to take gap years as they travel around the world. Clearly the 'Grey Pound' is very valuable to the travel industry as yound families struggling in the economic downturn opt to stay at home.
"They have become the most sought-after tourists in the tourism industry, which up until recently were neglected by the professionals but smart travel agents nowadays are very serious about this age group and are trying to sell tour packages customised for them."
The reasons that the older generations have come out of their shell is that they are self-reliant, independent and self-directed. They've also become more web-savvy, allowing themselves to surf the internet for the best deals and offers.
Howard says: "Crucially this is probably the last generation who will retire on full, index-linked pensions. Their children have left home, they are sitting on huge equity investment in their home and they have cash to spend."
Femalefirst Taryn Davies
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