Frank Harrison, President of Health-E-Media, On Senior Travel

Let’s face it: we all age. We come into this world with smooth skin, fit bodies and stamina galore, but, as time passes, our bodies change. And although our bodies might become weak, our spirits can remain strong-willed. And many senior citizens today are very passionate about a variety of issues, topics and hobbies.

One of the most common hobbies favored by senior citizens is travel. What’s not to like about travel? You can visit strange, new and exotic places, meet new and interesting people and just enjoy the wonders this world has to offer. Whether you’re staying within your home country or traveling abroad, there’s always something new and exciting to see.

Unfortunately, traveling requires money and time. These are two things that senior citizens have in spades. In fact, according to NRIOL.net, in the last 20 years, senior citizens have seen a drastic decline in poverty (from about 40% to 10%). This is an astonishing number. Couple this with the fact that, thanks to advancements in medicine and technology, senior citizens are living longer, and that makes for the perfect recipe for senior tourism.

Because most, if not all, seniors are retired, this means that they essentially have an endless amount of time to spend on their excursions. In fact, many seniors book multi-city trips. The longer they stay out, the more they will rely on the hospitality industry to enjoy themselves. Sure, shared economy apps and services like Airbnb and Homeaway are popular among Millennials, but senior citizens are still too unsure of these industries and would much rather live in the time-tested comfort and luxury of a hotel or resort. This is precisely why the hospitality industry needs to focus and hone in on senior citizens.

According to AARP, most seniors who travel tend to book their hotels through loyalty programs (70% to be exact). That same article highlights some common trends among seniors looking to travel. For example, seniors are quite interested in international excursions as opposed to domestic ones. Mexico and Europe are two of the most popular destinations. Seniors are also interested in authentic and engaging experiences. Sure, tour guides are helpful to get to know the area, but you only truly get to experience the city, town or village by spending time with its inhabitants. And many seniors citizens are looking for local experiences, often offered through services such as Airbnb. While Airbnb is still very much focused on Millennials, if the hospitality industry does not take precaution, they could lose a great deal of business to the shared economy. That is why traditional hotels and resorts should begin offering their own tours that give guests a real idea of the local cuisine, culture and atmosphere.

Senior citizens are living longer, healthier, more adventurous lives. And the population of senior citizens is expected to boom for several more decades, meaning there are going to be a lot of travelers with a lot of time and money on their hands.

About Frank Harrison

Frank Harrison is a seasoned healthcare professional based out of New York City. Throughout his storied career, Frank Harrison has been able to adapt to a variety of positions spanning a bevy of industries. Frank Harrison has worked in marketing, finance and business management. Currently, he is focusing his efforts on healthcare.