Overseas travel 'popular among active over-50s'
31st July 2007
Instead of just laying back and staying at home during the older years, it appears that a large amount of over-50s are choosing to live the life of younger folk. Jetting off and taking in trips overseas are growing in popularity, with a whole host of destinations available to those who wish to see a little bit more of the world.
With improved transport capabilities and more information about foreign countries available, we are entering a new era in which overseas travel is becoming more and more attractive. In an age when far-flung corners of the globe are just hours away, due to improvements in technology, the choices are endless for a generation keen to keep on their toes.
Indeed, the over-50s are the tourists of the future, if recent comments are to be believed. Just one of the countries to have seen a rise in tourism from the new youth is Austria, as the Trade Chamber in the country has released its latest tourism figures. According to the body, 55 per cent of those who visit the land of mountains and lakes are over the age of 50, reports Monsters and Critics.
And the tourists who visit the country are not content with a stroll among the mountains, one expert stated. Peter Zellman, a tourism researcher, told the publication that traditional holidays are decreasing in popularity and that over-50s now wish to be a lot more active. Such people now want to live a lifestyle more akin to the average 35 year-old, Mr Zellman commented. Since the 1980s, moods and desires have changed, meaning the over-50s now want more out of later life.
With such benefits, it seems a great idea to take advantage of trips abroad, but with homes being left empty during vacation periods, they may be more open to potential theft. This is one good reason to make sure procedures are in place and check home insurance is in place before indulging in that magical trip away. Contents protection is available on the marketplace, which may be one way to ensure adequate cover has been taken out.
After this, travellers could see the positives and thrills of a number of new activities, such as mountaineering or bike riding. The organisation IFT - the tourism research group - said that this was the case and these activities are popular after a survey of one of Austria's most important markets, Germany.
Getting to destinations abroad is also a lot easier, according to comments from EasyJet. A spokesperson at the firm said that lower cost flights have revolutionised the industry, with everything from booking to flying a lot more accessible. "People are looking to book further in advance to get the best deals - they are doing the opposite to what they did a decade ago," Samantha Day, press officer at the firm commented.
Such incentives are a great reason to see the countries, which for one reason or another, have not previously been attainable. Safe in the mind that adequate home insurance is in the bag, great opportunities and adventures await in overseas lands. There will be even more to tell the grandchildren about now.