‘Overgrown gardens’ stopping millions of retirees going on holiday, poll claims
Around 82 per cent of retirees putting off longer trips despite having means, survey indicates
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Your support makes all the difference.Millions of retirees avoid going on long holidays because they fear their garden will become overgrown, a new poll has claimed.
A poll of 2,000 retirees aged 65 and above found 82 per cent put off longer trips abroad over worries about home security, leaving their pets for a prolonged period and even missing their home comforts.
More than one in 10 said they did want to miss family commitments and nearly a fifth are concerned about an increased cost of insurance.
However respondents said if cost and other considerations weren’t an issue, retirees would like to extend their travels to as long as three months.
“Although many retirees are making the most of their free time to travel, many are limiting themselves due to worries,” said Jamie Bunce, CEO of Inspired Villages, a luxury retirement community which commissioned the research. “Household and garden maintenance are holding them back, with the average retiree admitting they would travel for an additional two weeks if this wasn’t a problem.”
The poll also revealed the idea of a “Golden Gap Year” isn’t just a dream concept — nearly a quarter of respondents had taken a year to go travelling, or would consider doing so in the future.
Those polled also said they be willing to spend at least £9,000 for a year away from their normal life.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics also show a 37 per cent increase in spending on trips abroad by people aged 65 or older in the last four years.
This rose to £6.2bn spent abroad, compared to £4.5bn in 2014.
It also emerged more than half reckon they go away more often in their retirement than when they worked, and a fifth said their holidays are more active than previous trips.
Seeing historical sights, exploring the countryside and discovering quaint, local neighbourhoods are among the typical things retirees will enjoy during a trip away.
“At Inspired Villages we are very proud to be able to provide peace of mind for retirees by offering a ‘lock up and leave’ facility,” said Mr Bunce. “Our residents can go away for as long as they want, knowing that their homes and gardens are both secure and will be well-maintained in their absence. This means that more can embark on their own golden gap year.”
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