Seniors start new trend for gap year travel
When we think of backpacking we could take the term literally as the sport or hobby of camping and wandering through the wilderness with a trusty backpack, imagining tied-dyed students on a gap-year blazing a trail around the world. However, Staysure over 75 travel insurance specialist have discovered a different side to this story.
Each year more than 100,000 travellers embark up an adventure that lasts over one month, the majority are gap-year students but there is a growing trend of over 50’s who have already ‘seen it and done it’. Many clients looking for over 75 travel insurance were the pioneers of the original package holidays in the 1960’s who have moved on from the safe package holiday and obvious destinations, preferring to swap a brisk walk in the Lakes for an adventure in India, Africa or the Antipodes.
The Association of British Travel Agents has stated that the ‘senior gap year’ is a growing phenomenon amongst the young at heart seniors, who have the time, inclination and cash to do it in style.
Linking both groups is the desire to enjoy a once in a lifetime experience exploring the world’s more exotic locations. However, the similarity ends there, student unless very lucky, tend to travel on a shoestring, whilst older travellers expect some degree of luxury when they embark upon a world tour.
The phenomenon of senior citizens taking off in search of foreign adventures has caused comment amongst the ‘social commentators’ amongst the educational establishments. Prof. Phil Thomas at Cardiff University supports the view that a combination of a healthier lifestyle and earlier retirement have resulted in a lot more free time to indulge in extended travel plans including voluntary work abroad, perhaps making up for what they missed out on at an earlier age.
Do I need Staysure travel insurance?
This is one of those occasions where we can say, ‘the answer is in the question’. The very nature of travel whether on a shoestring or on a grander scale, particularly if taking a ‘senior gap-year’ means that you will be visiting some of the most beautiful but also the poorest countries in world, with less than ideal sanitation, food hygiene and health care.
Unlike the UK most countries do not have a free health care system, making medical and emergency treatment insurance vital. Staysure’s over 50 travel insurance will ensure you are covered for medical emergencies ensuring that you will be treated no matter how precarious your holiday budget is and repatriation if necessary.
Another aspect of travelling to less affluent corners of the world is that tourists are often viewed as rich pickings for petty thieves, who rightly or wrongly assume you can afford the loss. Staysure travel insurance can cover your entire trip, insuring your entire luggage, cash, delays and a 24-hour emergency helpline is available to make sure you are well looked after.
