September marks the end of the holiday season for many travellers, with scores of workers begrudgingly returning to their desks after a relaxing stint abroad.
However, for many older travellers the end of high summer doesn’t equal the start of post-holiday blues, with research by Saga Travel Insurance revealing that holidaymakers in the over 50s group are opting for an early autumn getaway for their annual break. (See our blog: School’s in and that means child-free holidays!)
The research identified Saturday (September 8) as the most popular day of travel in 2012 for holidaymakers aged 50 and over, a date that has remained unchanged for the last six years.
According to the survey, the most likely destinations for the over-50s are in Europe. Italy tops the poll, followed by Spain, with Greece, Turkey and France ranking in third, fourth and fifth places respectively.
Further findings from the study revealed that older travellers find it as difficult to completely switch off from modern technology on holiday as younger travellers.
More than a quarter of survey participants (28 per cent) admitted that they will be bringing their laptop on their break, while just under a quarter (24 per cent) argued that they will be keeping their smartphone close to hand.
Fourteen per cent of older travellers also said that they will be packing a Kindle.
“With the weather we’ve seen this summer, it’s no wonder the over-50s want to get away to find some sun and sand as the school holidays end,’ says Roger Ramsden of Saga Services.
“It’s great to see so many people searching for adventure and making the most of their time away.”
