The Golden Gap Year: These are the first destinations for newly retired adventurers

Here at Travelsphere, our team have seen the emergence of multiple travel trends throughout 2024, with one in particular truly making its mark. The golden gap year has long since been on our radar, but it’s been more prevalent than ever with our customers this year.

The golden gap year is an increasingly popular term for the period of travel after a person retires to make those bucket-list dreams a reality. Our analysis has also found that people are choosing to travel to the long-haul destinations we first predicted.

Our data has shown that a new chapter of exploration awaits. We can see that travellers are embracing their next step in life, no longer putting off their adventures and instead starting to tick off those bucket-list destinations. Here at Travelsphere, we’ve uncovered the most popular golden gap year destinations and can confirm that long-haul travel is on the rise, knocking some European hot spots out of the ranking.

Interested in which destinations are at the top of the golden bucket list? We’ve done a deep dive into the numbers to find out exactly where travellers are visiting once they reach retirement age.

The Rise of Revenge Travel Within the Golden Gap Year

International travel was only permitted again back in 2022, and those who had their golden gap years put on hold are making up for lost time. Our data has shown that those who were supposed to embark upon their golden gap years before the pandemic are making up for lost time in 2024 and beyond by embarking on big, blow-out trips. Research has shown that UK residents are spending more than ever before on overseas travel, superseding the average spending values before the pandemic. Travel is one thing Brits are not willing to compromise on.

Italy is the most popular choice for those with the new found freedom of retirement, with tours to the Amalfi Coast, Puglia and a grand tour of Italy amongst the top choices. Charlotte Field, Marketing Director at Travelsphere explains that “Italy has always been one of our most popular destinations, and it makes sense that this country is the most in-demand choice for those on their journeys within a golden gap year. It’s a culinary delight, with many choosing to travel here just to sample the traditional Italian ways of living, and provides everything from historical landmarks to the beautiful coast that make it so special for that new found freedom trip.”

However, long-haul destinations such as Australia, the USA, and Canada are also dominating the 69 and 70-year-old’s travel lists. Charlotte explains that “those with new found financial and time freedom can travel long-haul without restrictions that may have stopped them previously. We’ve noticed Australia in particular has seen a large increase in popularity in 2024, especially for those in their golden gap year.

“People want to see more of the world and experience new ways of life after being robbed of this during Covid, and our data has shown a huge rise in the revenge travellers taking trips during their golden gap year.”

More people are aiming to discover less mainstream destinations and further explore what the world has to offer. Multi-stop guided trips are proving most popular too, as travellers aim to gain a deeper understanding of the destinations they visit, indicating a desire to learn more about new cultures.

The standout trend from our research is that long-haul destinations are increasingly becoming more popular. Six out of our top ten destinations, including India, Australia, Vietnam, and China, are long-haul as the appetite to travel further and experience more adventurous, far-flung places offering new perspectives and deeper cultural experiences take preference over holidays that are closer to home.

The Top 10 Destinations Capturing the Hearts of New Retirees

Italian Adventures Emerge on Top, Closely Followed by the USA and Canada

65% of our total Italian bookings come from those who are newly retired. Charlotte Field explains that “Italy has a special place in the hearts of many, with everything from the cuisine, Italian way of life and history making it an ideal getaway that isn’t too far from home. It’s well connected with regular flights, and travelling around the country is simple. We see it as an accessible adventure, but with so much to offer, it’s easy to understand why it has landed in our top spot.”

However, our top three destinations are still dominated by long-haul destinations.

In close second comes the USA, and Charlotte believes that “With newfound freedom from work's daily routine, this stage of life offers the perfect opportunity to embrace long-haul adventures. It's no wonder these destinations are shining through in our research."

Despite the growing cost of living crisis, people are still choosing to spend their money on travelling, and our data shows no exception. Bucket list, long-haul trips are still a priority for many, and the average holiday spend is in fact on the rise, with those aged 55 and over spending more than any other age group on holidays.

Culturally Rich Trips are Growing in Popularity

Another favourite destination for a culturally enriching first journey is India which ranks fourth in popularity, presenting an experience a world apart from the familiar. For many, India’s vibrant landscapes, lively markets, and spiritual heritage create a deeply moving journey, marking an impressive start to their new phase of life. According to our data, nearly 18% of all first-time trips to India are booked by those who are newly retired. India’s appeal is enhanced by its deeply immersive experiences that give a sense of transformation, aligning well with the introspective journeys many take post-retirement.

Charlotte explains that “Several locations in our top 10 take holidaymakers to culturally rich destinations, including Vietnam, Cambodia and Canada. The scenery in Canada has drawn a lot of golden gap year travellers to spend time within nature and appreciate the scenery, whilst unique trips to the likes of the Angkor temples in Cambodia offer rich cultural experiences which more and more people want to embark upon.”

Our research has shown that, despite the working years coming to an end, many are just getting started with the next stage of life. Travel is becoming increasingly more accessible, and both empty nests and financial stability have contributed to the demand increase for golden gap year travel.

Travelsphere offers a range of trips to suit all requirements, from escorted tours and guided holidays in Italy to tours of South America. Get in touch with our experts today to plan your holiday of a lifetime.

About Travelsphere

With over 60 years of expertise, here at Travelsphere, we understand that our holidays should be transformative. They should have a positive impact on the places we go, as well as the customers we take there, on the communities we touch and the people we work with. So real care is at the heart of everything we do.

We care about meticulous service. About crafting considered travel itineraries that deliver experiences that stay with our customers long after they come home. We care about the environment, about local economies, about every individual we serve or employ. 

Our experience in crafting holidays that make a real difference stretches back to 1962, and deep local knowledge and expertise is central to our promise. That’s why we guarantee that every holiday is led by the heart, guided by experts.