Advice for Mature-Aged Solo Travellers
An Antipodean travel company serving World Travellers since 1983.
Advice for Mature-Aged Solo Travellers
Mature-aged in small groups continues to grow, and for those in their 50s and older, holidays with an itinerary with for the mature over 50 is an important one to consider. A good , appealing to with a preference small groups that embrace and the as is a pre-requisite for many offered by a reputable .
Several surveys show this trend.
According to Australian market research Roy Morgan, the number of older Australians taking holidays has risen since 2007, “but a growing proportion of them are going it alone”, that is single travellers are taking . ! This the young boomer demographic who are content within themselves and will take the / to enjoy the they have planned for some time! According to their latest statistics (2015), holidays for the mature over 50, that is 5.4 million Australians aged 50+ took at least one in the 12 months to June 2015. The proportion of those who travelled alone on their last ( ) rose from 15.4% in 2007 to 16.3% in 2015, an increase evident among the 50-64, 65-74 and 75-79 age groups, with the 80+ age group remaining stable at 18.7%. Acknowledging that that the 80+ segment for will be flat as this group slow down with their demand for then offering small group tours and experiences that appeal and satisfy the whether male or is important.
Hitwise, the UK’s largest online behavioural research tool, said in 2018 that there had been a whopping 143 percent increase in ” ” searches over the past three years, after analysing searches made by 3 million consumers in the UK across all search engines.
According to a 2017 survey conducted by US marketing firm MMGY Global , one in four Americans said they would , an attitude “as prevalent among Millennials as it was among Baby Boomers.” Baby boomers as a demographic is defined as those born following the end of World War II (usually considered to be in the years from 1946 to 1964).
The 2019 American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) survey shows that Boomers continue to be avid travellers, planning to take a total of 4 to 5 leisure trips in 2019. Included in the Top 6 of planned international is ” ” (7%).
Why do people choose to take a solo holiday?
The reasons why travellers choose to vary. Plenty of travellers seek out holidays that are an with a for mature over 50. This is a to experience their at a deeper level often with . As a travelling alone , you set the pace and make the choices: wander where you want, eat what you want, and leave when you please. You no longer need to worry about a travelling partner who wants to stay cosy in the cabin on a or in a hotel room, when you’re itching to get out into the beautiful scenery and enjoy the of your chosen
Travellers find that locals are much more likely to approach you when you alone – with lucky travellers often becoming the guests of locals.
Most of all, a is the way to get to know yourself and to build resilience. When you’re done, you’ll inevitably look back on your as a time you challenged yourself as and come away a stronger, more independent person. However for mature and senior may be a consequence of life change. Their partner may be suffering from illness preventing or a divorce or early death. Many factors will shape whay a person is seeking out suitable holidays for travellers over 50. At Odyssey we seek to have an understanding of the issues around , having specialised in looking after retired travellers since 1983 on a for the of the sector.
Join Other Mature-Aged Solo Travellers with Odyssey
One of the biggest worries for potential travellers is the concern that being alone for so long might be lonely. Travellers frequently ask whether it is easy to meet other travellers on their journey.
The answer is that with becoming more and more common, you’ll certainly meet others who are on a holiday, some travelling independently, others on a small .
The majority of mature-aged travellers do not wish to alone. According to London-based global market research firm Mintel in their 2018 Report, 52% of travellers were interested in taking an escorted .
This is where Odyssey comes in. We offer fully escorted tours designed for the mature with an designed to create the perfect . We generally have a mix of those and as a couple. We do not offer , our over 50 single traveller prefers to be part of the , a with a like minded . We have been providing and educational programs to small groups since 1983. A “small group” for Odyssey is typically up to 16 travellers, but we’ve experienced running a with as few as four people. Odyssey has published an article on the benefits of for over 50s purchasing a package. As well as setting out what defines good operators from a poorly organised , the paper sets out the main issue for the solos holiday which is service fees and single rooms and the . Odyssey to the majority of destinations particularly in the UK and Europe will not offer single rooms to the when booking with this , you have your own room unless you have requested to share. in groups can be daunting. Odyssey also provides advice on managing group dynamics for the in a environment as well as commentary on being fit whether on a general holiday or one of our walking holidays.
A small group tour is a comfortable alternative to big-bus tours for large groups, and an excellent option for those over 50s but would like a hassle-free experience.
Travelling alone can be an intimidating prospect even for the mature , particularly in a environment. But on an Odyssey , you are not the only . Our Australia or New Zealand-based Program Leader (), who will escort your group for the duration of the program, will usually be also . Our small group tours have like-minded people, travelling by themselves as a or with their partner. In fact, the more adventurous destinations tend to be dominated by travellers! Odyssey ‘s small group tours are not designed strictly as tours , but are a designed for those who like to explore and learn as they . We see as a form of education. The focus is on history and culture, and plenty of walking holidays offered around Europe, allowing participants to fully experience a in the context of the past events that have shaped it.
Roy Morgan’s 2015 survey appears to back us up regarding our participant demographic; the survey says that ” travellers from the 50-plus group were more likely than their younger counterparts to report having visited museums, art galleries, gardens or parks and historical places, but less likely to have gone shopping or attended a concert.” Education is not a short-term effect-you can reap the benefits long after a has concluded, making you a happier person who is more compassionate and more engaged with the world. (Read our related article: Why Join A Small Group Tour? )
Travelling Solo as a Mature-Aged Woman
Women are driving the growth of in groups, claims MMGY Global. A Booking.com poll revealed that 72% of American women are taking journeys.
The reasons why women are more likely to alone than men are an issue of debate. Some have suggested that women are better able to cope with being alone for extended periods of time. Others have linked the increase in women choosing to alone to women’s empowerment: increased freedom for women in the later 20th and 21st century has empowered Baby Boomers and Millennials to do what would have been a dream for many generations of women. For many women, setting off on a is a chance for freedom and independence, to challenge oneself, and build confidence. It’s not surprising that out of the 72% who have travelled alone, 59% are planning to do so again within a year! Whatever the underlying drive is for the and the female we think that our natural and the offered provide the cultural experiences and historical or wildlife context for a great .
Of course, women have travelled alone for centuries. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out the fascinating stories of these Five Female Explorers .
However, female travellers are also likely to worry about their safety. Unfortunately, women travellers can encounter threats to their safety than men do not experience. However, there are many ways for women to feel safe while travelling. For example; make sure to research your closely before you head off. Find out what the expectations for women’s dress are, and work out how to navigate common problems. Look into what places it might be better to avoid. You’ll find that the internet is a great resource – as is another who has been to your .
We have a number of resources about safe travel.
If you’re feeling unsure about travelling alone, make your first somewhere a bit more familiar – is there a European city you’ve always wanted to visit? After your first escape, you’ll have more confidence to take on somewhere a bit more adventurous.
Whatever you do, try not to feel intimidated about travelling alone as a woman. A majority of our travellers here at Odyssey are women, many of whom are . We cater to women seeking all kinds of experiences and offer flexibility but in a enviroment as part of an escorted with a director. Whether you want to balance education with , or are on a to meet like-minded friends, our holidays for travellers over 50 can work for you. For a on a with Odyssey there is a for . This covers the cost of single room occupancy for a room with a double bed. We have a clear policy on making this happen across Europe as this is exactly what are customers expect from us when they and acknowledge the cost of sole occupancy. There is no other cost though for travelling as a single on a escorted .
Solo Travel Advice for Mature-Aged Travellers
We have summarised the steps for you to take in order to make your dream a reality for tours 50 and over seeking a to join. Odyssey is easily reached by email or phone . Our friendly and experienced staff can help design the you are seeking.
Think about where you want to go.
The first step is to sit down and really think about the kind of holiday you want.
Is it an exotic journey across Japan by rail? Perhaps you want to indulge your passions – for history, for archaeology, perhaps even Scandinavian architecture and design. The challenges of a walking tour might build up your confidence so that you can return home fitter and ready to take on anything. Or perhaps you just want to discover as much of the world as you can. Once you have determined the type of holiday you are craving, narrow it down to some dream destinations. Time of year is something to bear in mind. This will influence how practical your dream destination might be. Our article on responsible travel might point you toward some places you had never even thought of!
Odyssey small group tour