Over-50’s travellers seek wildlife and adventure
Over-50s travellers are seeking more adventurous travel options with wildlife experiences leading the way, according to long-haul specialist Bridge the World.
At the top of the over-50s’ travel wish-list was travelling to Borneo to see orangutans, followed by witnessing the panda in its natural habitat in China. Third on the list was journeying to India’s national parks to see the Bengal tiger.
Bridge the World (bridgetheworld.com) also discovered, during recent research as it compiled its first-ever Asia brochure, that the 50-plus traveller also wants to see great historical sights such as Angkor Wat, and tour multiple sites, not just head to a great hotel and stay put.
Commercial director James Herbert said: “We did extensive focus group research before we started putting together our Asia programme, we wanted to ensure that it reflected what today’s over-50s traveller wants.
“The overall message from groups all over the UK was that they want to tick things off their ‘I’ve always wanted to...’ list.
“This means once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters such as going to Kota Kinabalu in Borneo to see the orangutan, and cultural tours including the Killing Fields in Cambodia, and the Taj Mahal in India, are all included in our new brochure.”
While Indochina might be automatically on the itinerary for young travellers in 2011, the likes of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand are still relatively unknown to the fifty-plus travellers.
“Gap year students or those on round-the-world tickets will naturally stop at these destinations. We wanted to show everyone that these are not solely for backpackers. We have world-class hotels, premium-class flights, smaller boutique properties, adventure options and private tours in all of these countries, plus of course the chance to tailor the trip precisely to your needs,” explained Herbert.
Despite growing interest in these once-in-a-lifetime trips such as the wildlife encounters, Asian beach destinations remain a big draw for this well-travelled age-group with favourites such as Phuket, Koh Samui and Penang proving popular choices as well as newer up and coming options such as Koh Chang.
Bridge the World has a selection of twin-centre trips including Singapore and Borneo, or combining Angkor Wat in Cambodia with the white sands of Vietnam’s beaches.
Sample prices:
BORNEO: Prices from £614 per person (based on two sharing) for a five-day private tour of Borneo, starting and finishing in Koto Kinabalu. This includes all tour accommodation, transport, selected meals, guide and entrance fees to parks. International flights are not included.
Itinerary highlights include:
- Kinabaulu National Park (home to the highest mountain in Malaysia)
- Sukau and a trip up the Kinabatangan River to the Jungle Camp (home to the Proboscis monkey, long-tail and pig-tail macaques, hornbills, orangutans and the Borneo pigmy elephant)
- Sandakan and the orangutan sanctuary at Sepilok
CAMBODIA: Prices from £1059 (based on two sharing) for Classic Cambodia, a 10-day private tour. This round-trip from Phnom Penh takes in the highlights of Cambodia in 10 days. Price includes all tour accommodation, one internal flight, all transfers by private vehicle, selected meals, tours with English speaking guide. Price does not include international flights.
Itinerary highlights include:
- Phnom Penh (includes visit to the genocide museum and the Killing Fields)
- Siem Reap (takes in the magnificent temples of Angkor including the Bayon temple)
- Angkor Wat (one of the most magnificent sights in Cambodia) cruise on Tonle Sap Lake and spend time at one of the largest floating villages on the lake
To book go to: bridgetheworld.com
