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%).<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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%).<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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. … <\/p>\n