Over-50s 'favour holidays down under'

Australia and New Zealand are the most popular travel destinations for Britons over the age of 50, according to new research.

More than a quarter of over-50s most want to head down under when going on holiday in the future, with 21 per cent opting for destinations within Europe, the survey by Alliance & Leicester revealed.

Other popular countries for overseas breaks included the USA, China, Africa and Russia - perhaps corresponding with the finding that over half of respondents said they wanted to increase the number of long-haul breaks that they take in the future.

Alliance & Leicester's research also discovered that a number of over-50s would like to try out more adventurous holidays, such as those involving scuba diving and off-road driving.

"The desire of the over-50s to see more of the world is clear - this is not an age group that plans to sit back and enjoy a slower pace of life," commented Emma Walkley of Alliance & Leicester.

Earlier this year, research by Barclays discovered that 25 per cent more Britons headed to Sydney last winter compared with the previous year, while Melbourne saw a 140 per cent leap in British visitors.

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