Travel tops biggest regrets for over-50s, research finds

They say you only regret the things you don’t do – and for millions of over-50s, it seems their biggest regret is simply not travelling enough.

A poll of 2,000 adults found travel topped the list of things people over 50 wish they had experienced more, with many wishing they had been bolder about seeing the world.

Iceland makes the list of destinations over-50s most regret never visiting, according to new research. | Tom Maddick / SWNS

placeholder image — Iceland makes the list of destinations over-50s most regret never visiting, according to new research. | Tom Maddick / SWNS

New Zealand emerged as the destination older adults most wish they had visited, followed by Japan and Australia.

Canada, the Maldives and Iceland also made the top 10, alongside Norway, Italy, Egypt and Vietnam.

And it isn’t just distant destinations causing travel envy.

One in five over-50s said they wished they had taken more spontaneous trips without overthinking them, while 17 per cent wished they had visited more bucket-list destinations.

Iceland is the sixth most-wanted destination among over-50s who regret not travelling more during their lives. | Tom Maddick / SWNS

Another 14 per cent said they wished they had said “yes” to more adventures instead of allowing work to get in the way.

Younger generations are feeling the same pangs. Some 42 per cent of Gen Z and 47 per cent of Millennials said they wished they had travelled more.

For younger adults, the Northern Lights are the ultimate dream experience, with around four in 10 hoping to see the spectacular natural phenomenon during their lifetime.

But there could be hope for anyone suffering from travel FOMO.

A huge 71 per cent of adults believe it is never too late to make up for lost time, with many saying new places and extraordinary natural phenomena could still have a positive impact on their lives.

Money remains the biggest obstacle, cited by 44 per cent, followed by family responsibilities and competing priorities.

The research, commissioned by Icelandair and carried out by OnePoll, found 19 per cent are still waiting for the “right time” to travel – rising to almost a third of Gen Z.

And perhaps the message from the study is simple: stop waiting for the perfect moment and start making memories.