A while ago, here at Silver we undertook some research, delving into our readers’ travel habits, amongst many other things. And whilst the only option to achieve a 100 per cent score was ‘I holiday in the UK’, (no wonder our retreats are a hit!), a very close second for those over 50 was adventure travel.

The box they ticked said ‘Jump on a plane and work it out when we get there.’ You crazy kids! Our respondents were keener on adventure travel than cruising, all-inclusive holidays, or the increasingly-popular 3G (multigenerational) travel. All of which came up closely behind.

This survey was undertaken in 2021-22, hot on the heels of numerous lockdowns. So perhaps it was to be expected that people would want to get out there and do something wild. But is that still the case? I was keen to explore this further, so I went to the ABTA Adventure Travel conference in London last week, to see whether people still felt the same way. Spoiler, they do. But here are some of the takeaways.

Firstly, solo travel is HUGE

More than one speaker reported that solo travel is up. And it’s important to highlight that this is a lifestyle trend generally. Living alone is also up, and marriage is down. Going solo is something we’re doing more of across the board.

With regard to our own age group, solo travel is a particularly big focus for women. But travelling as a ‘solo’ in a group is also a thing on the increase. So you travel ‘alone’, in small groups, making new friends, and effectively beating the supplement issues that can make travelling alone so stupidly expensive. Interestingly but perhaps unsurprisingly, over 50s and over 60s dominate solo travel search terms online.

Climate issues and sustainability inclusions

I don’t just mean that travellers are looking for holidays that tick the sustainability box. There is a concern that traditional destinations may become less popular because of the heat/weather conditions. Already it’s six degrees hotter than usual for this time of year in places around the Mediterranean. And people are concerned about fires, droughts, floods, and other weather-related issues.

Expect to see increased holiday and travel options opening up in areas like Scandinavia, and also to see different dynamics in terms of activities. As part of the adventure travel options, you’ll now find a lot of walking, engaging with unspoilt destinations, committing to activities that support destination environments and so on.

…travel is an extractive industry. Operators are essentially selling someone else’s home as an experience, and things are vanishing, like Venice.

But we need to be careful about how this is undertaken. During a panel discussion, Thomas Power, CEO at Pura Aventura, urged the industry delegates to remember that travel is an extractive industry. Operators are essentially selling someone else’s home as an experience, and things are vanishing, like Venice.

Adventure travel needs to be accountable, and not add to historically destructive travel. Engage travellers with the destination ahead of arrival so they understand the impact of their visit, he said. Holidays are hedonistic and travellers don’t want to think! We need to make being sustainable on holiday feel luxurious and effortless.

Shockingly, travellers recycle less when they’re not ‘at home’, because they perceive it as not being their problem. So tour operators and travel companies need to plan on their behalf, make the decisions for them. Try flying them there and training them back. Spend longer in the destination to reduce the carbon intensity, and give back to the destination. Flying for short breaks are the worst for carbon footprint.

Read more: sustainable travel, walking the tea trails in Sri Lanka

A few stats about travellers…

From the UN Tourism, Market Intelligence, Policy and Competitiveness Department:

76% want more sustainable options
43% will pay more for accommodation with a sustainability certification
75% seek authentic experiences that are representative of the local culture

Other takeouts

• People do want comfort even though they won’t say so. So although they say they want to go wild and adventurous, they wouldn’t admit it but they mean as long as it’s got a comfy bed, probably a swimming pool or beach, and some home comforts.
• Long haul is the growth market. People are looking to really get away, not just pop to Europe for a week or ten days.
• There is a much higher demand for holidays generally, post 2020. No shock there, but projected figures for 2025 see the growth outstrip previous performance in 2019 and earlier. An adventure travel boom is coming.
• Short lead times. People are booking impulsively; there is far less booking for a year, two years ahead.
• ‘Teenager Experience Demand’. Families with older kids are heading for adventurous holidays, with the destinations often chosen by their teenagers or adult children. This is particularly true where the Bank of Mum and Dad, or Granny and Grandad, is footing the bill.
• ‘Expedition cruises’ is a growing market, where you can visit really far-flung places like the Arctic. Frankly I truly doubt seals and orcas need this sort of human intrusion, but apparently no corner of the planet is safe from human travellers.

Overall message

Acknowledged by almost every speaker at the conference is that there’s a crucial need to protect the destination environment or there won’t be a destination to go to. So whilst a travel boom is expected across all travel sectors, not just the adventure products, it’s incumbent upon the operators to ensure that destinations and habitats are protected.

Because although the consumer wants sustainable options, they don’t want to have to think about it for themselves.

To see full details about all the speakers at this event, click here

Sam Harrington-Lowe

Sam is Silver’s founder and editor-in-chief. She’s largely responsible for organising all the things, but still finds time to do the odd bit of writing. Not enough though. Send help.

The post Adventure travel – how those over 50 are leading the way appeared first on Silver Magazine.

There is plenty we can all do as individuals that will make a difference. But we have to get on board. The two biggest things we can all do to make a vast difference is eat less (no!?) meat, and stop flying. These two things have an enormous impact on our environment.

But there are things everyone can do at home. We spoke to ethical expert Atlanta Cook for ideas that everyone can activate.

STOP WITH THE BLAME

We may be the generation that knows how to reuse and repair, the generation that doesn’t waste resources, or knows how to ‘make do and mend’. But it is also our generation, and our parents’, which are responsible for inventing plastics, developing motor cars, and improving methodology for plundering natural resources. Think also deforestation, the population explosion, methods of large scale manufacture and waste, and intensive farming.

So giving it the old ‘we do our bit, it’s the youngsters who have a disposable life’ grumble just won’t do. Nor is it helpful.

Firstly, the youngsters all have parents who have formed their lifestyle habits, let’s not forget that – they didn’t learn this stuff all on their own.

Secondly, pointing fingers and blaming other people never fixes any kind of problem. We are in this together. And we need to fix it together. Let’s get this sorted out!

THERE IS STUFF YOU CAN DO

[perfectpullquote align=”right” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]…are the measures we take as individuals actually worth bothering with?[/perfectpullquote]

So what can you do? In what feels like a world on the brink of collapse, are the measures we take as individuals actually worth bothering with?

The answer is definitely yes. And the more of us that take action, the better. If we all do our bit it will make a difference. Are you starting to see a pattern? Your input is really valuable. We all need to get on board. Not waste energy blaming other people.

• Switch to @ecotricity – they are the greenest/most ethical by miles.
• Switch lights off in empty rooms.
• Turn your thermostat down to 12-14, degrees which is a normal British Summer’s day, and wear more layers if you’re cold.
• Stop using your car for short journeys; instead allow yourself the time to walk so you get exercise and meet people on the way, both of which will greatly reduce stress and lift your mood!
• Order a veg box from a local grower, so you both support the local economy and eat more seasonal veg.
• Make more time to visit or chat to friends – it builds emotional resilience and your community network.

• Grow bee-friendly plants on any tiny patch or pot you have. Plant trees if you have space. Manicured lawns are useless monocultures.
• Buy less, but buy better. Is it organic, is it fair trade, is it eco or ethical? Do you really need it?
• Spending money to buy more stuff makes people dissatisfied and unhappy. Sharing what you have with friends, and spending more time with them, will make you much happier
• Give to someone’s favourite charity as a gift instead of pressies. Do they really need yet another ‘thing’?

Thinking of a nice pressie for someone? How about a subscription to Silver Magazine? All our paper is ethically-sourced!

Finally… it sounds so simple, but reducing your ‘energy’ consumption is crucial, and all of the simple lifestyle changes you can think of make a cumulative difference. They really do. Whether it’s reducing food transport miles, turning down the heating, or switching off your car engine whilst idling; all of it reduces your carbon footprint.

DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT’S ALLOWED IN YOUR RECYCLING?

Your coffee cups
You can’t recycle takeaway coffee cups. They’re made from two layers – the inside is plastic to make it waterproof – and it’s not possible to separate the plastic from the paper layers at recycling point. Take your own cups to the coffee shop!

Greasy pizza boxes
During recycling, paper doesn’t get heated. So your greasy or oily cardboard takeaway containers are no good. Try and keep them clean.

Dirty plastic
Rinse out stuff and make sure the food etc is gone from it. A bit like the greasy pizza box, the dirt might mean the plastic doesn’t make it to recycling.

Look for the codes
On plastics there’s a triangle shape with arrows in it and some numbers and letters. If there’s a 7 in the triangle, it might not be recyclable. Choose a different triangle. And get to know your symbols.

Loo roll, tissues, kitchen roll
Same with these things. If they’re used, they’re going in the bin, not the recycling.

Mirrors
Yes they’re glass, but it’s not the kind of glass you can recycle. Try upcycling or donating mirrors instead.

Wrapping paper and sticky tape
There are recyclable wrapping papers but you need to check. Any of them that are glittery, foiled, textured, or shiny probably no good. And if there’s sticky tape on it, definitely no. Sticky tape cannot be recycled and will prevent paper from mulching properly. Think before you wrap.

Click here for information about Earth Day
For more support and advice on doing your bit, check Atlanta’s website

Carly Pepperell

Carly gets to do everything under the sun, including writing, editing, taking photos, creating stories, and swanning around at launches. She can down a glass of Prosecco without pausing for breath, and aims to be the youngest Pulitzer winner ever.

The post What YOU can do to be greener appeared first on Silver Magazine.