Older travellers going further and planning multi-country trips

Travellers aged 65 and over are heading further afield for this year’s winter holiday season, according to data from travel insurance solutions provider Aneevo.

The UK-based company said that long-haul and multi-country holidays were on the rise among the over-65 demographic, according to data it has drawn from policies issued over the last 12 months for departures between November and February.

Aneevo said the findings “reveal a marked shift in travel behaviour among older holidaymakers”.

Top destinations for this demographic and time period include traditional tourist hotspots such as Spain and the Canary Islands, but also rising stars such as Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, and Thailand.

The company said the data pointed to a rise in multi-destination holidays, such as “itineraries combining Spain and Portugal, or the Canary Islands and Portugal – many of which are cruise-based.”

“Today’s over-65s are redefining the traditional winter getaway,” said Lesley Maxwell, Head of Broker Development at Aneevo. “They’re exploring further, staying longer and seeking out new experiences – from the beaches of Australia to the temples of Thailand. It’s great news for the travel sector, but it also underlines the need for robust and tailored insurance cover.”

Rising costs and wider coverage needs

Aneevo warned, however, as travellers go further afield, that the cost of medical treatment is rising, leading to expensive claims for insurance providers.

Fortunately, the company also reported that its broker partners had seen sustained growth in demand for travel policies that include higher medical and cancellation limits, cruise-specific features, and support for pre-existing medical conditions.

“We’re encouraging brokers to have proactive conversations with clients about cover limits, medical screening, and cancellation protection,” Maxwell added.

Lesley Maxwell spoke to ITIJ as part of our April 2025 issue.