Joanna Lumley voted top travel companion for the over 50s

Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley has been voted as the number one travel companion for the over 50s, according to a recent poll.

The latest survey revealed that holidaymakers aged 50 years or above look for fun-filled travel experiences during their holidays with more than one third (35%) choosing Lumley as their ideal companion.

The ideal travelling partner

Lumley said she was “thrilled and delighted” to have been chosen by the British public.

She added that her next television show – Joanna Lumley’s Trans Siberian Adventure – is dedicated to “all those sweet but absent travelling companions” who voted for the star.

Alongside Lumley, Monty Python star Michael Palin also made the shortlist as the second favourite travel companion for over 50s, taking 25% of the vote.

The charming Michael Buble won 10% of the voters’ hearts in the poll to come third while Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman came fourth with 8% and Ben Fogle finished the top five with 6% of the vote.

Recently sacked Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson made it into the top 10 at ninth place with 3% of the vote while Bond star Daniel Craig, nature-man Bear Grylls and TV personality Judith Chalmers all received 4% of the vote to fill sixth, seventh and eighth position.

Finishing off the top ten was Angelina Jolie with just 1% of the vote.

Top travelling locations

Voters were also asked to choose their ideal holiday location, if money were of no object, naming Australia as the most desired holiday destination to visit.

The full top ten list of travel destinations are:

1. Australia – 26%

2. New Zealand – 23%

3. Hawaii – 12%

4. Fiji – 9%

5. Barbados – 8%

6. Alaska – 5%

7. Antarctica – 5%

8. Iceland – 4%

9. Brazil – 4%

10. Las Vegas – 4%

The poll also found that television had a direct impact on holiday choices for the over 50s.

In fact, 34% of respondents chose the BBC drama Death in Paradise as the number one reason to travel around the world while ITV’s drama Broadchurch was the second most inspiring TV show according to 29% of over 50s.

The rest of the top 10 TVs shows which inspire over 50s to travel are: Downton Abbey (10%), Midsomer Murders (7%), Wolf Hall (5%), Emmerdale (5%), Benidorm (4%), Call the Midwife (3%), Mr Selfridge (2%) and Coronation Street (1%).

If you’re thinking of following in over 50s footsteps and travelling abroad or in the UK this year then it’s important to ensure you have cheap travel insurance in advance

Date Created: 23/04/2015