Age is no barrier: over-55s embrace adventure holidays

Who says you’re too old to be an adrenaline junkie?

Our latest research shows that adventure travel is firmly on the agenda for older generations. Sixty-two per cent of people aged 55 or over say they’re planning a high-octane holiday for the first time in the next year.

From safaris to swimming with dolphins, Irish holidaymakers are increasingly looking beyond traditional trips. But while the appetite for adventure is growing, the research also highlights a potential gap when it comes to travel insurance – particularly for older holidaymakers and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Traditional holidays give way to once-in-a-lifetime experiences

The idea that older holidaymakers only opt for gentle staycations, Mediterranean beach breaks or cruises no longer reflects reality.

Instead, this generation of Irish holidaymakers is choosing more ambitious experiences and defying long-held stereotypes. Our research shows that the most popular choice among over-55s was rail travel across a continent, with almost one in three (30%) saying that something like the Trans-Siberian railway looked manageable.

The top six adventure holiday choices among people aged 55 and over were:

1. Rail trip across a continent (30%)
2. Safari (24%)
3. Swimming with dolphins (18%)
4. Gambling in Vegas (13%)
5. Ranch holiday (12%)
6. Mountain climbing (10%)

These findings show a clear shift towards holidays that focus on experience, exploration and personal challenge.

Holidaymakers with medical conditions are also planning big adventures

Age isn’t the only barrier being reconsidered.

Our research also found that 70% of people with pre-existing medical conditions are planning to take a dream extreme holiday. Among this group, the most popular choices were safaris (30%), swimming with dolphins (25%), and skydiving (19%).

While these results reflect growing confidence among holidaymakers, they also highlight the importance of understanding what protection is in place when travelling abroad – especially when medical needs are part of the picture.

Cutting back on travel insurance to save money

Alongside these aspirational travel plans, the research raises concerns about how Irish holidaymakers approach travel insurance.

We found that 28% of Irish holidaymakers plan to cut back on their travel insurance to save money, while 18% say they intend to travel abroad without any travel cover at all.

When combined with an increase in adventure travel and long-distance trips, this trend may leave travellers exposed to unnecessary financial risk if something goes wrong while abroad.

Why suitable travel cover matters

Commenting on the findings, Peter Clark, Director of JustCover, said:

“It’s great that people want to get more from their holidays, but it is also important that they are protected before they go – and this applies especially for older holidaymakers and those travelling abroad with pre-existing medical conditions.

As a well-established brand in the Irish travel insurance market, the days are gone when all travel insurance policies are the same. Beyond the basics, we are including specialist medical cover within our policies. This is a huge step forward for the Irish market.

With one in three Irish holidaymakers travelling abroad with a medical condition, there is an urgent need for these people to have access to quality cover they can trust – cover that fills the gap that private health insurance and the EHIC doesn’t cover.

Our message to holiday thrill-seekers is clear – live your dreams on holiday, but let us help you get the right cover before you go.”

Travelling smart at every stage of life

Adventure holidays are no longer defined by age. Our research shows that Irish holidaymakers are increasingly willing to try something new, whether that’s a long-distance rail journey, a safari, or an experience they’ve always put off.

Making the most of those trips also means understanding your travel insurance before you go, particularly if you’re travelling further afield or with a medical condition.

The research was conducted for JustCover by Walr research among a nationally representative sample of 350 Irish adults.