Almost 40 percent of all baby boomers — typically identified as being between the ages of 51 and 69 — keep a travel-related bucket list. And not all of them want to be idle tourists.
According to a recent AARP research report, boomers have an average of eight different destinations on their bucket list (half domestic and half international), and more than half of them identify a specific city or town rather than just a type of destination, such as “beach” or “mountain.” Hawaii, Alaska, California, Arizona, Nevada and New York are the states most frequently mentioned, and the majority of boomers plan to travel within the next two to five years.
“Traveling keeps our bodies and minds active, from planning and creating an itinerary to getting in better physical shape for the trip,” Denise Austin, renowned fitness expert, health advocate and AARP Wellness Ambassador said in the wake of the study’s release. “Not only can being physically fit help make the vacation more enjoyable, it often leaves us feeling refreshed and rejuvenated when we’re back home.”
Perhaps that’s why the AARP report stresses that plenty of boomers prepare for travel by improving their physicality (53 percent), taking better care of themselves (42 percent) and building up their general fitness level (31 percent).
What’s holding boomers back and keeping them at home? Money, security concerns and health or fitness issues are the biggest deterrents, according to the AARP report.
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