Over 55s Travel Trends: Maldives Hot, Cook Islands Not

Aussie Boomers – also referred to as the ‘SKI’ (Spending the Kids’ Inheritance) generation – are rewriting the travel rules, opting for adventure and cultural immersion over traditional holiday destinations. According to a new report from travel consultancy Forward Travel, destinations like the Maldives, Bangladesh, Colombia, Congo and Scotland are capturing the imaginations of Australian travellers aged 55+, with some increasing in popularity as much as 257%.

At the same time, once-popular destinations like the Cook Islands, China, USA, Switzerland and Hong Kong are falling out of favour, with declines in interest of up to 97%.

15 Destinations Rising in Popularity Among Australians Over 55

Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs Overseas Arrivals and Departures (2018–19 and 2022–23)

15 Destinations Losing Popularity Among Australians Over 55

Source: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs Overseas Arrivals and Departures (2018–19 and 2022–23)

“With time and disposable income on their side, the over 55s are shunning traditional holidays and exploring lesser-known parts of the world. Not content to sit still, they are redefining what it means to retire, immersing themselves in diverse cultures, landscapes and experiences with an energy and enthusiasm you’d expect to see in people decades younger,” says David Smyth, founder and director of Forward Travel.

“It’s a shift we’ve seen over the last couple of years among our own clientele. For example, our clients David and Kirsten, both in their early 60s, spent six weeks hiking, trekking and exploring South America; and Therese and Ian, mid 60s, travelled on a rustic boat to the remote jungles and villages of Borneo; and Peter and Jane, both 70, who are currently preparing for a trip of a lifetime in 2025 through Ethiopia, Uganda and Rwanda,” he says.

So, what makes destinations like the Congo and Colombia, where tourist luxuries are generally in short supply, so appealing to this demographic? “Travellers are drawn to the Congo for its raw wilderness, untouched rainforests and the opportunity to have experiences like trekking with gorillas. Australians in this age group value authentic, immersive encounters, and Congo offers the chance to reconnect with nature, far from the well-trodden tourist paths. 

“Meanwhile Colombia has escaped its turbulent past and emerged as a rising star for adventurous travellers. It has a certain mystique, along with colonial charm, breathtaking natural beautiful and a thriving cultural scene – features that appeal to seasoned travellers,” says Smyth. 

Using a variety of sources, including Australian Government data, Smartraveller advisories, World Bank political stability metrics and UNESCO World Heritage sites and the Köppen Climate Classification, the report explores the many nuanced reasons behind travel shifts among the over 55s, such as political stability, flight duration, climate, health index scores, and crime rates, highlighting how these elements shape the shifting appeal of global destinations for this well-heeled demographic. 

Read the report on the Forward Travel website here.

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Founded by David Smyth in 2013, Forward Travel is a boutique travel consultancy in NSW specialising in custom-made trips to unique destinations around the world.  

Learn more on their website or follow their socials to get insights into the exciting and unique destinations they travel to. 

For more information or to arrange an interview with David Smyth at Forward Travel, please contact:

Georgia Madden at UR Digital georgia@urdigital.com.au