Adventurous holidays are becoming popular among older people
Gap years ''no longer the preserve of the young''
03 July 2008Taking a year out of work or education to go travelling or embark on some other enriching activities is becoming increasingly interesting to older people, according to research.
A survey by American Express found that four in ten working Britons have no time to themselves at the end of the day.
Research has also shown that nearly a third of Brits are planning to take a long break from their job. Some 90 per cent of gap-year travellers are now over the age of 30, a demographic that has been dubbed the ''grey gapper''.
Another phenomenon, that of the ''flashpacker'', involves travellers with more disposable income who are happy to spend money on new experiences and luxury.
Statistics show that more than eight per cent of older people taking gap years spend up to £10,000 on their trip.
Chris Rolland of American Express Insurance said: "For many working Brits it seems that there are never enough hours in the day.
"To escape from this, an increasing number of people are choosing to take a gap year at a later stage in life, having a financial advantage which enables them to travel in a little more luxury compared to their younger counterparts."
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