Gen X‑plore: Three Quarters of Over 50s Seek Career Change to Facilitate Travel Plans

• Desire to travel and office fatigue are driving over 50s to consider changes to their working patterns
• Hospitality industry proves popular with those open to a career change due to its flexibility, sociable nature and opportunities away from traditional desk jobs
• Intergenerational working is a key priority for those at both ends of the job market, with Gen Z and over 50s looking to learn from one another
• Research revealed as Hilton announces plans to fill almost 400 job vacancies across the UK and help over 50s back into work

LONDON, U.K.– New research from Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has revealed a growing number of over 50s are considering changing careers or changing their working hours to facilitate travel plans.

The study, which explores the key reasons for over 50s changing careers and returning to work, found that almost three quarters (73%) are considering changing their working patterns to allow them to fulfil their dreams to travel.  

The research comes as Hilton announces plans to fill almost 400 job vacancies across the UK, with a view to helping those over 50 who are seeking employment to get back into work. Spanning hotels across the country, jobs are available in departments including food and beverage, front office, housekeeping, culinary, engineering and events.  

More than a third (34%) of over 50s cited burnout from their current office-based role as a key driver for looking for a change of role, resulting in a desire to challenge themselves in a new environment (75%) and move away from desk jobs in search of something more active (44%). 

For many, seeing their children fly the nest has created more space to pursue a new path. More than a quarter (26%) of those who have children are looking to increase their working hours or change career paths now that their kids have left home.  

Sociable, Flexible Roles are Key

Hospitality and travel (33%) emerged as the most popular industry for over 50s open to a change of career, with flexible working hours, which can allow greater freedom to travel, highlighted as one of the key benefits (45%). Other advantages cited include the customer-facing nature of roles (42%), working with others of different ages (39%) and opportunities to take on a more active, less sedentary role (35%).   

The social nature of the industry was also noted as one of the main benefits for almost a third of people (30%), with almost one in five (19%) over 50s looking for opportunities to work in a more sociable environment. 

Steve Cassidy, senior vice president and managing director, UK&I, Hilton said, “With most working lives stretching through several decades, people are increasingly exploring a second career later in life. This growing trend is leading to an upsurge in demand for roles that offer something wholly different – and hospitality has a role to suit every path – whether that’s more flexibility to travel, a more active working life away from a traditional desk job, or a pathway back into work after a period of looking after family members.”

Intergenerational Learning

As workforces are becoming increasingly diverse, Hilton’s research also investigated how different generations work together.  

Three in five (60%) over 50s said they can learn from working with those younger than themselves, while more than a quarter (26%) specifically cited wanting to spend more time with Gen Z as a reason for looking to change careers. When asked about social motivators for work, almost two thirds (64%) of over 50s want to work with people from different backgrounds. More than a quarter (28%) said they specifically wanted to learn from Gen Z coworkers.  

This works both ways. More than three quarters (77%) of Gen Z respondents said they can learn from older colleagues, with leadership (44%) and problem solving (40%), communication (39%) and organisational skills (39%) being areas most cited where over 50s excel.  

To capitalise on growing interest in hospitality as a career choice, Hilton is hosting an event at The Waldorf Hilton, London on 30 September. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet people from more than 15 hotels at the event, with on-the-spot interview opportunities available and a series of talks exploring topics including intergenerational working and apprenticeships, aimed at those interested in a career change or return to work later in life. 

Case Study

Marlene, 56, joined Hilton in 2022, having taken early retirement from the civil service. Looking after Human Resources for four hotels just north of London, she has a love of travel and enjoys the flexibility of working part-time so she can spend her weekends exploring new parts of the UK. Marlene regularly enjoys the perks of Hilton’s team member discount travel programme, Go Hilton, and has an ambition to visit as many of Hilton’s 8,000 hotels as she can.  

Marlene said, “Joining Hilton was such a culture change in a fantastic and positive way. As well as enjoying the sociable nature of my role, and getting out to visit the hotels I work with, I love the flexibility of working part-time so I can use my free time to explore new places. Working for a travel company is a huge benefit in itself – there are so many places I’d like to visit – it’s great to have a job that helps me fulfil my dreams of travelling around the world.” 

To secure a place at Hilton’s recruitment fair, sign up here. Hilton is ranked #1 Best Place to Work in the World. 

Read more about Hilton at stories.hilton.com. 

* Research carried out by Savanta, August 2024