New Survey: Travelers Who Grasp Adventure Feel Better as they Age

Road Scholar has been offering exciting travel experiences for older adults for 50 years. The company’s new report highlights how adventure is a key component of wellness and happiness. (Photo courtesy of Road Scholar)

Road Scholar, a not-for-profit leader in educational travel for older adults, has released a report bolstering the long-held belief here at In The Loop Travel: adventure is a key contributor to the happiness and health of aging adults. 

Here is what the report revealed. Based on a survey of 300 adults aged 50 to 98, Road Scholar’s findings say 94 percent of older adults who embrace adventurous activities — whether through travel, lifelong learning or stepping outside their comfort zones — report higher levels of wellbeing.

In addition to the report, the Road Scholar has announced a new national observance on its 50th anniversary on June 8th. “Age Adventurously Day” kicks off with a contest offering one lucky winner a travel voucher, among other prizes.

“Our Age Adventurously Report findings reinforce what we’ve always believed — adventure enriches both health and happiness, and our desire for new experiences only grows with age,” said James Moses, CEO of Road Scholar. “As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we’re proud to launch Age Adventurously Day, proving adventure is not bound by age, but rather fueled by curiosity. We encourage everyone to spend June 8th doing something adventurous – whether that be trying out a new sport, tasting an exotic food, or exploring a new destination.”

The new report offers fantastic insights into the connection between aging, adventure and wellbeing. Compared with previous generations, older adults today are more adventurous than ever.

Here’s a look at some of the standout findings:

Interest in Distant Destinations and Frequent Travel

Road Scholar’s survey results indicate that older adults who engage in educational travel are more likely to explore distant destinations and travel more often compared with their peers. Thirty-two percent of participants surveyed reported that the majority of their travel is international. Road Scholar participants also tend to travel more frequently with 45 percent of those polled taking four to eight trips annually, compared with 26 percent of those not involved with the organization.

Adventure Adds to Health and Happiness

Nearly 100 percent of older adults surveyed agreed that being adventurous contributes to their health, happiness and wellbeing. This has always made sense, intuitively, right?

In fact, Road Scholar participants 50 and older who actively embrace new experiences indicated feeling just as happy as they were in their 20s, 30s or 40s.

We’re Now Aging in a More Active Way

When asked whether their generation was more adventurous in older adulthood than their parents’ generation, 75 percent of Gen Xers (born between 1965 and 1980) agreed and 89 percent of Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) agreed — showing that older adults have evolved to be more adventurous. 

A Call to Adventure: Celebrate Age Adventurously Day

In addition to its recent survey findings and in celebration of the company’s founding date and 50th-anniversary — underscoring its ongoing mission of inspiring lifelong learning — Road Scholar has declared June 8 as Age Adventurously Day. This now-approved annual observance, certified by the National Day Archives, aims to motivate older adults to seek out new travel adventures and redefine what it means to age. 

To kick off the inaugural Age Adventurously Day, Road Scholar is hosting a contest. Participants are invited to share their plans for the day or submit stories and photos of their adventures at www.ageadventurously.org. One winner will receive a $1,500 travel voucher for a Road Scholar program, along with other prizes. Entries will be accepted through June 13, with the winner selected at random.

About Road Scholar 

The company is the world leader in educational experiences for older adults, serving 90,000 lifelong learners annually. Founded as Elderhostel in 1975, Road Scholar is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025.