ITB travel experts say that the 50-plus generation is an expanding target group that is showing a marked new preference for city tours, cruises and excursions, even though beach holidays still continue to be the most popular choice among this age bracket. Apparently, the 50-plus generation is showing more of an interest in cultural activities. According to the World Travel Monitor, there has already been a strong decline in interest from Germany’s so-called silver age group in holidays on the beach (3.8 million trips less, minus 18%).
Reportedly, the over 50s are more mobile and more active than ever before. As reported, between 2005 and 2010 vacation travel by Europeans aged 55 and over expanded by 17%. This age group as a whole accounted for more than a quarter (27%) of all trips abroad, or 78 million holiday trips.
Of special interest to Dominican travel companies, ITB says that the over 50s are increasingly distancing themselves from the cliches associated with traditional travel by senior citizens.
The winners are smaller market segments such as health-based vacations (0.7 million trips, plus 61%), cruises (0.9 million trips, plus 64%), sports holidays (1 million trips, plus 53%) and city tours (2 million trips, plus 30%).
According to a study commissioned by the Messe Berlin and carried out by the World Travel Monitor, travel from the so-called silver age group is up 28% for the UK since 2005, but has stagnated for the German market. France and the Netherlands are in third and fourth place. These four countries account for almost 60% of all European travelers in the over-55 age group.