Generations a world apart when it comes to travel
Generation Y is three times more likely to have travelled abroad as children compared to UK's Baby Boomers.
New research released by Post Office Travel Insurance has revealed that four out of five (79 per cent) of the 18-24 year olds that form Generation Y travelled abroad an average of four times before they were 16. European countries were the most commonly visited by this generation, however some went as far afield as North America (15 per cent), Africa (17 per cent) and South and Central America (four per cent).
By comparison, 77 per cent of Baby Boomers had never left the UK before the age of 16. Without the ease and convenience of package holidays which were only introduced for the masses in 1950, and fuelled by the advent of the Boeing 747 and charter flights in 1970³, travelling abroad was not an option for the majority of over 65s in their youth.
Even in comparison to their parents, Generation Y can still claim the globe-trotting crown. Over half of 45-54 year olds never travelled abroad as children (53 per cent) and of those that did, the overwhelming majority made it as far as Europe (94 per cent).
In contrast, three in five of children today under 16 who have been abroad are likely to have experienced their first flight by the age of four (60 per cent), of these one in five have travelled as babies (22 per cent). The result being that 22 per cent of young children today under 16 who have been abroad have been as far as North America and one in ten have been to Africa (10 per cent).
Travel Troubles
However, despite their children being so well travelled, parents still fret about the troubles they may face when flying. Over one in ten worry about being able to control their children during a flight (11 per cent) and another 16 per cent are concerned about getting seats together as a family.
With children travelling further abroad and the longer flights this entails, one in five parents admit they are anxious about keeping the children entertained during the journey (21 per cent).
Top five parents' concerns about flying abroad with children:
1 Keeping the children entertained
2 Getting seats together as a family
3 Being able to contain and control the children
4 The children's ears popping
5 The children getting travel sick
Once abroad, the greatest worry for parents is that their child will have an accident (42 per cent) and over a third are concerned about tummy troubles (35 per cent).
Sarah Munro, Head of Travel Insurance, Post Office said: "Whilst their parents and grandparents weren't able to travel so freely, children today have the opportunity to experience different countries, cultures and ways of life for themselves.
"However travel is never without risk and it is understandable that parents worry about all the ‘what ifs' when going abroad, particularly relating to the health and wellbeing of their children. Travel insurance is essential to ensure you and your family have the best protection if something does go wrong, whether you are travelling within Europe or to more far-flung destinations."
Alison Rice, travel journalist and broadcaster said: "So many of us now take holidays abroad for granted, it's hard to remember just how exotic the simplest trip to Spain was for the post-war generation.
"When our pioneering grandparents chose Benidorm over Blackpool, they could never have guessed that their grandchildren would be nipping off to Barcelona, Bali and Brisbane for their holiday breaks."
Post Office Travel Insurance policies offer a Kids Covered Free option for dependent children under the age of 18 (provided the child is going on holiday with a parent, grandparent, guardian, aunt or uncle who is the policy holder). You can also apply for or renew your passport using the Check & Send service at the Post Office. The Post Office is also the UK's largest travel money provider, offering a range of over 70 currencies. See postoffice.co.uk/ for details.