Saga Holidays, (0808 303 0095, holiday.saga.co.uk) the UK’s leading holiday company for over 50s travellers, has combined customer research with booking data to identify three core trends that will be driving travel behaviour among over-50 travellers in 2025.

Research conducted by the UK’s leading name in holidays for the over-50s, Saga Holidays, has shown that 95% of its customers either intend or have already booked to travel in 2025. With just 10% of those surveyed stating that holiday price increases have led them to change their travel plans, and 85% stating they’re budgeting the same or more compared to last year, the research indicates a healthy financial resilience among the over-50s and underscores their determination to see the world during their post-family or post-working lives.

Saga Travel surveyed almost 3,000 members of its ‘Experienced Voices’ customer panel and combined those findings with booking data for 2024 and 2025.

Key trends to emerge include:

‘MULTICATIONS’ MULTIPLY

2025 is set to be the year of the ‘multication’. More than half (55%) of respondents to Saga’s survey already have at least one holiday booked for 2025. Nearly a third (32%) of those asked will be looking to travel four or more times over the next 12 months with 24% taking at least 3 holidays.

Across all of the age ranges surveyed, 90% expect to travel more in 2025 than in 2024, with those who are aged between 50-59 years demonstrating the strongest inclination to do so (35%), followed by the 60-69 year olds (30%).

Saga’s research indicates a certain financial resilience and savviness among over-50 travellers, with just 10% of those surveyed stating that their holiday plans have changed because of price increases. Rather than forgoing their travel plans, 42% are shopping around more and 30% are waiting for deals or discounts.

Finally, among the five percent who said they don’t plan to travel at all in 2025, ‘financial constraints’ was only the second most common reason (32%) for not doing so, behind mobility issues (49%) and slightly ahead of a preference to stay at home (20%).

SPECIAL INTEREST HOLIDAYS (‘SPINS’) GROWTH

Almost two-thirds of those surveyed expressed an interest in holidays geared around a particular hobby or theme, such as birdwatching, archaeology or astronomy – with 17% having already been on a special interest holiday (‘SPIN’) or have one booked, and 42% having considered it. According to Saga’s research, SPINs are of most interest to travellers between the ages of 50-59 and 60-69 years, with 59% and 64% of respondents respectively having either taken, booked, or be considering a SPIN holiday.

This supports Saga’s booking data which has seen a two-third year-on-year increase for ‘SPIN’ holidays in 2025 vs 2024 (64%).

Exploring a destination’s history and heritage (51%), or discovering its arts and culture (35%), and finding out about it on foot through walking tours (32%) are the top three most popular reasons for taking or considering a SPIN holiday among the over-50s.

However, whatever the age group or interest, Saga’s research underscores that for the over-50s, holidays are an opportunity to relax and indulge an existing passion or hobby. Unwinding (58%), adventure (47%) and exploring different cultures (35%) are the top motivations for holidaying in 2025, with just 16% of those surveyed want to learn something new while they’re away.

EUROLOVE REIGNS

A massive 70% of respondents who plan to holiday in 2025 expect to go to Europe, with that majority split evenly across all age ranges. Among their preferred choices, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, and Croatia stand out as Saga’s top five European destinations for the year.

In terms of holiday types, touring bookings for Europe are growing in popularity for 2025, rising by an average of five percent year on year compared to 2024. What’s more, it’s the younger over-50s travellers (aged between 50-69 years) that are seeing the biggest interest in European touring holidays.

River cruising also remains a popular choice for European holidays in 2025, providing travellers with ease and comfort as they explore multiple destinations along iconic waterways like the Danube, Rhine, and Douro.

Commenting on the findings, Zoe Tasker, Product Director at Saga Holidays, said: “Our research this year paints an encouraging picture of the over-50s traveller. Despite wider economic uncertainties, they remain committed to their annual holidays and are looking to travel more and increase their spending on travel over the next 12 months.

“The rise in SPINs, or Special Interest Holidays, for 2025 shows how travellers are now looking to combine their passions with their travel plans. Rather than learning something new, it’s indulging in what they already love—whether it’s tracing historical footsteps, exploring culinary delights, or engaging in arts and culture—while enjoying a carefully curated holiday experience.

“Looking ahead at the ‘must visit’ destinations for next year, Europe is set to shine, but long haul destinations are also taking centre stage. The USA, South Africa, Costa Rica, India and Japan are all experiencing a surge of demand for 2025 departures across our product range, reflecting travellers’ ever-growing appetite for far-flung, extraordinary adventures.”

Travellers planning or looking to book a holiday for 2025 can visit holiday.saga.co.uk for more inspiration. Saga Holidays offers a diverse range of holidays, including Hosted Holidays that offer exceptional hotel stays, Tailor-Made Holidays for those looking to travel independently, or an Escorted Tour for hassle-free, worldwide adventures - also available to book through Saga’s sister company, Titan Travel.