Over 50s prefer long haul to UK for holidays

Over-50s travellers are more likely to have just visited Australia than Blackpool, according to the findings of a new survey.

The poll of more than 1,700 people over the age of 50 asked respondents to name the location of their first ever holiday and also where they last visited. 

Almost a quarter (23 per cent) more had last visited ‘Down Under’ than Blackpool, demonstrating how long haul destinations are becoming increasingly popular amongst the mature age group.

The research coincided with a report from MPs criticising the state of many seaside towns across the UK. 

The poll also underline the fact that there is a growing trend amongst the mature market to combine traditional seaside resorts in the UK with long haul destinations as they seek more diverse locations in which to holiday.

British coastal resorts formed all but one of the top ten first destinations, with Blackpool, Skegness and the Isle of Man being the most popular responses.

In contrast, with the global boom in the travel industry, the over-50s now list amongst their top ten last destinations Australia, USA and Germany in addition to the likes of Blackpool, Cornwall and Scotland.

Spain was the only destination to feature in both lists, demonstrating the perennial appeal of a year-round clement climate and a well established tourist infrastructure.

Sarah Robson, Research Director at Millennium, the marketing company which conducted the research, said: “It is no surprise that Blackpool, Bridlington and other classic British seaside resorts featured highly in the poll of first ever holidays. 

“However, it is interesting to note that the mature market is now combining these perennial favourites with long haul destinations in order to satisfy their demand for more diverse holidays.

“The relative popularity of making the long trip ‘Down Under’ and visits to the States enforces the fact that the over-50s are keen to travel long distances.  Furthermore, research by Mintel has also backed up our theory about destination diversification.

“Following their latest findings from an October 2006 survey, it was found that the over-50s took on average one domestic holiday per annum to supplement two or even three trips abroad.

“The over-50s account for 40 per cent, and rising, of all consumer spending in the UK. Furthermore, with this age bracket containing many retirees with greater time flexibility, and also those with high levels of disposable income and a taste for experiencing new cultures, it is no surprise that we are seeing a diversification in the destinations visited.

“More than 50 per cent of the population is predicted to be over 50 years old by 2020 and with the considerable economic clout that they carry, the mature market represents a significant selling opportunity for both domestic and international travel agents, as the trend continues to combine the best of both worlds.”

Top ten first destinations were as follows (in order of popularity):

  1.. Blackpool

  2.. Skegness

  3.. Isle of Man

  4.. Cornwall

  5.. Spain

  6.. Bridlington

  7.. Scotland

  8.. Rhyl

  9.. Weston-Super-Mare

  10.. Wales

Top ten destinations last visited are (in order of popularity):

  1.. Spain

  2.. Scotland

  3.. Tenerife

  4.. Australia

  5.. France

  6.. USA

  7.. Blackpool

  8.. Cornwall

  9.. Malta

  10.. Germany