Island country that older Aussies are flocking to for holidays
Travelling is all about exploring the world and discovering new experiences.
But heading 'off the beaten path' in search of unique adventures isn't limited to young travellers on their gap years.
In fact, new data shows that when the older generations pack their bags to head overseas, they're just as intrepid as anyone.
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Retirement doesn't mean slowing down. Getty
Bunnik Tours has released its Baby Boomer Travel Trends Report, which looks at how Australian Baby Boomers are travelling in 2026.
The main takeaway is that the older generations are looking for meaningful, experience-led travel. The stereotype of grey nomads puttering around Australia in a comfy campervan has gone out the window.
"Retirement doesn't mean slowing down," the company's joint CEO, Dennis Bunnik, says.
The report showed the number of Aussie seniors taking a big holiday in the past year has doubled since 2022 - even though almost all those surveyed acknowledged rising costs.
But instead of ticking off the classic tourist spots, they're heading in record numbers to places like Uzbekistan, Armenia, and rural Japan.
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In fact, 96 per cent of respondents say once-in-a-lifetime experiences drive their travel choices.
It's for that reason, perhaps, that Sri Lanka is fast becoming a favoured travel destination for older travellers who want a little more out of their holidays.
"Younger travellers may be attracted by the beaches and laid-back vibe, but it's the baby boomers who are really leaning into the culture and history," Dennis tells 9Travel.
On a tour of Sri Lanka, you can go from spotting leopards in Yala National Park one day, to walking through fragrant spice gardens or rolling tea plantations the next.
"For [older travellers], Sri Lanka offers almost unrivalled variety, especially for such a relatively small island."
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Sri Lanka offers a huge variety of experiences. Getty
Baby boomers also want authentic, immersive experiences while travelling, not just surface-level sightseeing or large coach-based tour groups.
Over 80 per cent say they're happy paying more to join a small group trip with plenty of local activities on the itinerary.
"For many travellers, this may be their only visit to a destination, so it has to count," says Dennis.
"Travelling in a small group also gives the chance to meet like-minded travellers and create lasting friendships along the way, which are moments that add as much to the experience as the destinations themselves."
Older travellers are no longer waiting to take their dream trip. Getty
Last year, 9Travel reported that solo women over 50 are a steadily growing travel demographic.
Female Gen X and Baby Boomers are no longer waiting for the "right time" to travel, and are choosing to bite the bullet and head out on their dream trips.
The 'spending the kids' inheritance' trend also shows no signs of slowing down - Australian Seniors reports that more than 2 in 3 of those surveyed felt no guilt about spending money on travel that might otherwise go to their descendants.
Many older travellers argue that this is the perfect time for them to be out exploring the world. They're financially secure, not raising kids or dealing with work, and have the chance to take on 'dream' trips they may have put off earlier in their lives.
