Baby boomers have more than just caravanning in their sight, with adventure written all over their travel bucket list.
If you were born between 1946 aid 1964 the intervening years will mean many things to you as an individual, but as a demographic, society dubbed you “Baby Boomers”. Born at a time when the world was looking forward to a more peaceful existence, there were ample opportunities for this generation. Now aged between 54 and 72, baby boomers are at a stage where they are hopefully quite comfortable and happy. They’ve done the hard yards and now is the time to play – and explore.
Thirst for adventure
It appears those initial years of prosperity just added to the Baby Boomers’ thirst for adventure. Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows the number of people aged 65 to 74 holidaying overseas increased by more than 80 per cent in the past five years. And they have more than caravanning in their sights.
Off the beaten track
According to a survey conducted by travel experts Peregrine Adventures, older travellers are more interested in getting off the beaten track (30 per cent) than gen Y (25 per cent), and were more likely to travel in order to be able to learn something new.
Experience is a priority
Clearly, they are not just ticking off destinations on a list – the quality of the experience is a priority. Peregrine found nearly two in three (63 per cent) of older travellers surveyed believe travelling slowly and taking time to absorb everything is important.
Far-flung destinations
The usual destinations are on the itinerary (Europe, America), but older travellers are enjoying a bit of risk in search of a more authentic experience. Offbeat adventures and far-flung destinations are more common – for example, Cuba, more of a destination since relations with the US improved; walking or cycling the famous Camino de Santiago in northern Spain; or Africa, to get close with wildlife.
Whether you want to spend time in Barcelona learning Spanish or feel the urge to find out more about Rudyard Kipling’s India, the only limit is your imagination (and possibly your budget). So get out that dream list along with an atlas and start planning your next adventure.
