A poll of 2,000 adults has found that the biggest regret among over-50s is not travelling more, with New Zealand, Japan and Australia the locations they most wish to visit but have never been to. Canada, the Maldives and Iceland also feature in the top 10 destinations which remain on bucket lists.
Wanderlust Across Generations
Taking spontaneous trips without overthinking it (21%), going to bucket list destinations (17%) and saying 'yes' to adventures rather than prioritising work (14%) are also things over 50s wish they had experienced more.
But it's not just older people who have wanderlust, with 42% of Gen Z and 47% of Millennials also wishing they had been able to travel more than they have so far. Seeing the Northern lights tops the once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences they most want to have (41% of Gen Z and 42% of Millennials).
Attitudes Towards Missed Opportunities
It also emerged 71% of all adults polled are adamant it is never too late to make up for lost time, and many believe seeing new places (37%) or experiencing natural phenomena (18%) will positively impact their lives.
The study was commissioned by Icelandair, which has launched a competition to giveaway tickets to see the next solar eclipse in Iceland - in 170 years - as well as a visit to see the country in September, in a bid to reduce FOMO.
Barriers and Future Hopes
For all adults, the top barrier to achieving their travel goals was lack of financial security (44%), followed by family responsibilities (24%) and having other priorities that get in the way (22%). A further 19% admitted they are always waiting for the 'right time', with this rising to 31% of Gen Zs.
The study, carried out via OnePoll, found the average adult predicts they'll experience five truly once-in-a-lifetime moments. But many hope this will increase for their grandchildren's generation, with 47% hopeful they'll be able to make the most of life, while 38% want them to go out and enjoy the natural world more.
A spokesperson for the airline said: "Travel has never been more accessible, but our research shows once-in-a-lifetime experiences still sit firmly on people's bucket lists and too many never get ticked off, leaving them with regrets about the things they didn't do. We wanted to turn that idea on its head and encourage people to stop putting unforgettable experiences off and go live them. And if you're going to think big, why not think really big? That's why we're giving someone the chance to experience the next total solar eclipse visible from Iceland — even though it won't happen for another 170 years. With many often waiting for the right time, it's a reminder some experiences are worth making happen — whether that's this year, next year, or something you pass down for generations to come because you never know what might be on the bucket list of your future great-great-grandchildren, or give them the chance to say, 'I was there.'"
The spokesperson for Icelandair added: "Travel gives us a great opportunity for lifetime experiences and this week's eclipse is the perfect reminder to start making those plans."
