Check out this vintage Contiki ad from 1970s

By Hannah Edensor

Contiki is getting old, like seriously – the tour operator turns 55 this June – but it ain’t showing any signs of slowing.

Since starting out in 1962, when the travel company took a group of 12 young Aussies and Kiwis on a six-week mini-van camping trip across Europe, it’s evolved to more than 300 itineraries in 60 countries.

But of course one of the fun things about aging is looking back on your youth and all the horrendous fashion and hair mistakes you made. This particular anniversary is no different.

Contiki has shared some of its earlier ads from the 1970s, showing just how far they’ve come in marketing to the youngin’s.

Contiki’s Managing Director Katrina Barry said, “We’ve come a long way in the last five and half decades but we know that despite so many changes, one thing remains the same – young Aussies are still passionate travellers and love experiencing the world”.

Check out the ads here:

To hero the last 55 years in numbers:

More than one-million Aussies have travelled with Contiki
One in three Contiki results in a marriage
500 Contiki team members providing local know-how around the globe
60 countries, six continents
1900 different European itineraries, 600 in the USA and Latin America followed by 600 in Asia, and 400 in New Zealand
20m travel-nights spent overseas by Aussies on Contiki
20 (average) new experiences added each year
200 coaches that take young travelers across the world

How youth travel has evolved

1962:

Average traveller was 20 years old and visiting England, France, Italy and Switzerland
The average traveller embarked on one long trip as their big “OE” starting with a nine-week Contiki

2017:

Average traveller is 26 and travels to the Mediterranean and Central Europe closely followed by Southern USA, Japan, Thailand, Canada, New Zealand
The under 35yrs traveller is now taking shorter, but more frequent trips each two to three weeks long, and that means two to three Contiki trips, over a few years.
Emerging trend: Food is now more important than sightseeing with culinary delights becoming a travellers priority (35 per cent) – Contiki has added foodie itineraries throughout the Mediterranean, Southern USA and also Mexico to meet demands

Barry continues, “Each year we look to add new cultures and destinations. In the last 12-months we have added trips to India, Bali, Malaysia, and just this week, three new itineraries through Bolivia and Chile, plus volunteering opportunities in Ecuador”.

“Above all else, we know no two travellers are the same so we are constantly evolving to meet the changing demands of the younger generation.

“Customers tell us all the time that they love how fun, and easy Contiki is, that we have helped expand their horizons, immersed them in new cultures and helped make them better humans.

“We’re proud to have been doing this now for 55-years with many more years to come.”

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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