For many of Irish and British people, holidays were a highlight of our childhood. Whether you were jetting off to another country, or just visiting family, we all have core memories of a trip that we hold dear. For many kids, these trips can spark their imagination, leading them to dream about ideal holiday destinations and activities that they hope to bring to life one day.
Research shows that 90% of children’s dream holidays involve activities that help them make new friends, but as we get older, our priorities begin to change, which leads to many adults having different expectations for their ideal holidays.
We decided to survey 1,000 British people aged 55 and over to see how their dream holiday has changed over the years. We’ll be looking at what people begin to prioritise more in their ideal holidays as they get older, as well as comparing how different demographics answered our questions. Read on to see our findings:
What was your idea of a ‘dream holiday’ as a child?
We asked our survey participants to describe their dream holiday from when they were younger. By far the most popular answer was a beach resort holiday with family, which was the ideal destination of more than half of our respondents (61%).
Our statistics suggest that men had a slight preference for the beach over women, with 62% of male respondents listing a beach resort as their childhood dream holiday compared to 59% of females. This option also proved to be more popular among people over the age of 65, suggesting a generation gap between holiday preferences.
The second-most popular dream activity was a theme park holiday, which was the choice of 19% of participants. 20% of our respondents who dreamed of visiting an amusement park as a child were female, compared to 17% of males who took part.
Rounding out the top three dream holiday choices was a nature experience, with 14% of our respondents saying they wanted to go on safari or explore a distant jungle. This option was much more popular among 55-64 year-olds than over-65s (16% vs 11%), which could suggest that children’s dream holidays became more ambitious over time.
What does your ‘dream holiday’ look like now?
Many of us realise now that our old aspirations aren’t possible, or that adult life has shifted our priorities, so what are the most common dream holiday destinations for adults now?
It seems like a large number of participants still feel connected enough to our childhoods for it to influence their holiday choices, as the most common dream holiday destination for over-55s is a return to a place that holds feelings of nostalgia. Whether it’s a favourite holiday spot from their childhood, or a place that they made memories in early adulthood, one third of our survey participants say they dream of revisiting somewhere from their past.
This style of holiday is particularly popular in Newcastle, where almost half of our respondents (45%) answered that it was their dream trip. Liverpool, on the other hand, was the least interested in reconnecting with past experiences, as just over one in five (21%) listed a nostalgia trip as their dream holiday.
An escape to a luxury resort was the next most popular holiday destination, with just over a quarter of participants (26%) looking to get away to an all-inclusive spot in the sun. This option seems particularly popular for people living in Northern Ireland, where 38% of respondents listed it as their dream holiday.
24% of participants said they dreamed of exploring a location with rich culture and history. Escorted tour holidays are a great way to learn more about an area from an expert guide, making the most of all the historical and cultural experiences on offer.
Other popular choices include cruise holidays, which are the dream holiday of 21% of people we surveyed. Cruises were particularly popular for older participants, as 17% of 55-64 year-olds dreamt of sailing the seas, while a quarter of 65+ year-olds listed a luxury liner holiday as an ideal getaway.
Multi-destination holidays also proved to be a common choice for a dream getaway, as 14% of people look to explore as many locations as they can on a trip. Road trips and RV journeys are particularly common choices for experiencing multi-destination holidays, as they offer flexibility in your travel and allow you to take in beautiful sights as you drive between stops.
How have your travel preferences changed with age?
Now that we know how dream holiday destinations have changed for our survey respondents, how have their attitudes towards travel evolved?
59% of respondents say that they now prioritise a comfortable and easy-going holiday compared to when they were younger. Older survey participants are more likely to prefer a relaxing getaway, with 62% of over-65s prioritising a quiet trip compared to 54% of people aged 55 to 64.
On the other hand, we noticed that 55-64 year-olds are more likely to say they travel with more intention and curiosity as they grow older. 31% say that they are more curious, while less than a quarter (24%) of over-65s agree. Men also say they’re more confident when travelling than women (24% vs 20%).
Surprisingly, 15% of people who took our survey say that their travel preferences haven’t changed at all as they’ve grown older, suggesting that some people are still looking to take the same approach to travel as they did in their youth.
Top areas older people are booking
It’s never too late to set off on your dream holiday, so there’s no need to wait if you’re looking to get away and tick a location off your bucket list! At American Holidays, we offer trips to some of the most popular destinations in the USA, Canada, and the Caribbean at great prices, with plenty of options that have proven to be a hit with our older clients. Here are just a few of the top destinations you could visit with us:
Florida
Looking to finally take that seaside resort trip you always dreamt of as a child? With beautiful beaches, bustling cities, and thrilling theme parks, Florida has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for an action-packed holiday, or taking a slow day on the sands, you’re sure to find a new favourite spot in the Sunshine State.
New York
The Big Apple has long proven to be one of our most popular holiday destinations, and it’s not hard to see why. New York City is home to some of the world’s most famous sightseeing spots, so whether you’re watching the skyline from the top of the Empire State Building, visiting world famous museums and galleries, or catching an iconic stage show on Broadway. With so many culinary, arts and cultural experiences, whether you want to just live like a local in its vibrant neighbourhoods or be a culture vulture New York truly has it all.
Nevada
Viva Las Vegas! Nevada is home to the world-famous Strip, with a variety of casino resorts to choose from, but the fun doesn’t stop there. Head out into the Mojave Desert for a unique day trip, or pay a visit to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon.
Tennessee
Tennessee is the perfect holiday destination for music lovers, making it easy to get lost in the local culture. Visit Nashville to see the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, or for fans of rock and roll, head to Memphis to experience the iconic Graceland mansion that once belonged to Elvis Presley! Tennessee is also home to the Smoky Mountains National Park, where you can hike lush forests, streams, rivers and waterfalls that appear along the Appalachian Trail.
California
From the sunny beaches of Los Angeles to the breathtaking mountains of Northern California, there’s plenty to do on the West Coast of the USA. See the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, or spend a day in the wineries of the California Coast, or visit the stunning Yosemite National Park. 14% of our survey respondents said they dreamed of taking a road trip, and with so many incredible sights, California is the perfect place to plan your route.
Conclusion
To summarise, many of us still hold on to the childlike curiosity of a dream holiday as we grow into adults, with nostalgia playing a huge role in our travel preferences. However, lots of travellers seem to become more interested in history and culture as they become older, preferring to take a more easy-going approach to their holidays as they age.
Bladhana Richardson, our Head of Marketing at American Holidays, says:
“We all have different preferences for how we like to travel, which is shown by how varied the responses to our dream holiday survey have been. No matter what you’re looking to cross off your bucket list, booking a trip to the USA with American Holidays is sure to help you get the most out of your travels.
“The USA is one of the biggest countries in the world, with 50 states each offering their own unique experiences, so there’s something on offer for everyone. We also offer Caribbean getaways and trips to Canada, so you can experience all there is to offer across North America. If you’re looking for holiday inspiration, read our blog for unique ideas on how to plan a visit to remember for a lifetime.”
