Travel insurance sales reveal rise in grown-up backpackers

The recession is turning more adults into backpackers, according to sales of long-stay travel insurance policies.

One travel insurance firm revealed this week that it has seen a 23 per cent rise in the sale of backpacker policies to clients aged 35 and over.

It believes the rise in long-stay travel insurance premiums, which are aimed at people holidaying for three weeks or more - usually backpackers, indicates more adults are taking extended overseas trips to escape the economic gloom at home.

It is believed that as many as a quarter of a million Britons plan to take a career break this year and backpack around the world.

Student and independent travel specialist STA Travel (www.statravel.co.uk) said it had seen a 16 per cent increase in the number of gap year travellers this year compared with 2008.

For backpackers in their 20s, STA Travel recommends climbing the world's highest free standing mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. It argues this is the time of their life when they are most likely to succeed, though anyone attempting such a feat should check they have adequate travel insurance.

For backpackers in their 30s, it suggests an expedition to Antarctica to follow in the footsteps of the world's greatest explorers Captain Scott, Francis Drake and Ernest Shackleton. All four were in their 30s when they set out on their most memorable expeditions.

For backpackers in their 40s, STA recommends a volunteering holiday, arguing that by the time travellers have reached this milestone decade they are ready to give something back. Suggestions include conservation work in the Galapagos.

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