People across Connaught plan to book extreme holidays
New research from leading Irish Travel Insurance specialist JustCover reveals that over one in four (76%) people across Connaught are planning for at least one high-octane holiday in the next year. With holiday adventures from safaris to swimming with dolphins – many of these thrill-seekers may be exposing themselves to financial risks by not having adequate travel insurance in place.
Gone are the days when Irish holidaymakers settled for more traditional holidays such as gentle staycations, Mediterranean beach holidays or cruises. Instead, people are going thrill-seeking, with trips designed to test their endurance and nerves. It’s not just young people however, as JustCover’s travel data reveals that 62% of Connacht’s older residents (those over 55) are also planning on some form of extreme holiday; defying stereotypes and proving that thrill-seeking has no cut-off point.
The top five choices of trips that people in Connaught are looking to take for the year ahead include: Swimming with dolphins (35%); road trip across a country (28%); safari (26%); bungee jumping (15%); rail trip across a continent (15%).
Furthermore, age isn’t the only limit people are looking to shrug off: The JustCover research also reveals that 70% of those with pre-existing medical conditions are also looking to experience a dream extreme holiday, with top choices including safaris (30%), swimming with dolphins (25%), and skydiving (19%).
These aspirational research findings also bring a warning sign to many Irish travellers. JustCover’s data also reveals that 28% of Irish holiday makers are looking to cut back on their travel insurance to save money – and 18% say they plan to travel abroad without any travel cover at all. The economy-drive on buying cheap travel cover coupled with the appetite for adventure holidays in far-flung locations, exposes many Irish holidaymakers to unnecessary risks abroad.
Peter Clark, Director of JustCover explains: “The Christmas countdown is a time of year when many people start to plan and book their holidays for the year ahead. It’s great that people want to get more from their holidays going into 2026 but it’s also important they’re protected before they go – especially for older holidaymakers and those travelling abroad with pre-existing medical conditions.
“As a well-established and specialist brand in the Irish travel insurance market, the days are gone when all travel insurance policies are all the same. Beyond the basics, we are including specialist medical cover within our policies. This is a huge step forward for the Irish market. With one in three Irish holidaymakers travelling abroad with a medical condition, there is an urgent need for these people to have access to quality cover they can trust - cover that fills the gaps that private health cover and EHIC doesn’t cover.
“At JustCover, we offer up to unlimited medical cover, including cover for pre-existing conditions, 24/7 emergency medical assistance and also cancellation cover up to €10,000. So, our message to holiday thrill-seekers is clear – live your dreams on holiday but let us help you get the right cover before you go.”
Discover more about JustCover here.