It seems oldies are hot on youngsters trails, and favourite backpacking destinations such as Thailand are now attracting growing numbers of older visitors. According to research commissioned by Thomas Cook, one in ten over-50s has been on a holiday to a country they wouldn’t have previously taken into account after their children came home raving about it.

It also revealed that half of those over 50 plan to travel the world after retirement. 44% of them admit to being jealous of the younger generations travels, however 40% take the opportunity in their later years to go to places they have always wished to go. The study which included 5,000 people, 1,000 of which over 50, found that 40% of holidaymakers are choosing a more adventurous, excursion packed holiday instead of their previous favourites such as the Canary Islands, mainland Spain and Portugal.

Top destinations for the over-50s include Australia, Caribbean and the Seychelles. One in ten confessed to booking such a holiday to appear younger than reality. A spokesperson for Thomas Cook said that there has been a rise in the number of over-50s booking trips further afield and of a longer duration once their children have left home. Some are even booking 21 and 42 night packages. “It seems that travelling the world is no longer reserved for school leavers or college students”, said the spokesperson.