With a baby boomer turning 50 approximately every 8.4 seconds, senior travel packages are molding themselves to the needs of seniors as well as recognizing their influence and increased buying power.
With 70% of all US wealth said to be controlled by Americans over 50, seniors account for 50% of all discretionary spending and spend more per capita on groceries, health products, and yes, travel and leisure. Travel agencies are now designing travel packages specifically for the senior traveller. Along with the basic inclusions of transportation, lodging, meals and entertainment, senior travel packages may also include complete baggage handling, extra focus on safety, special dietary needs, and assistance shopping.
Age Limiting Physical Abilities
People in the United States are living longer than ever. When a person reaches 65, the odds for that person reaching their 90's also increases. So with seniors having so many years ahead of them combined with a greater percentage of purchasing power, travel is certainly a choice many seniors are and will be making. The physical limitations of age become more of an issue than most other things; walking slower, lifting, carrying items, and tiring easily. A seniors travel package with complete baggage handling at every phase of the trip is essential for boomers. With many seniors traveling independently into their 80s and even their 90s, not having to pull heavy suitcases around, or lift large bags into overhead luggage compartments is an aspect most senior travel packages will want to include, or that seniors will demand be included.
Senior travel packages must take into account that many seniors may require using the rest room more frequently than younger people. Bus tours can accommodate this need with more frequent rest stops at locations that have facilities with more than one washroom for men and more than one washroom for women. It goes without saying that buses should include spacious rest rooms for seniors who can't wait for stops.
Safety Questions
A complete senior travel package should put at ease any concerns about the safety of a pre-selected destination. Safety is first on the mind of most seniors who travel. Selected destinations should be those approved for travel by the United States Department of State. Companies that arrange travel packages for seniors should include a detailed review of the hotel and the neighborhoods surrounding the hotel. A seniors travel package, or any travel package for that matter, should never involve residing in questionable areas or low-security housing. Seniors should book travel packages for vacations with established, reputable agencies who have clearly done their homework.
Dietary Restrictions
A senior's travel package should have pre-arranged dining locations that are willing to accommodate the dietary restrictions of many seniors. Whether these restrictions are based upon beliefs, personal preference or a medical condition, dining establishments selected as a part of a tour should remain flexible in order to meet the needs of the senior consumer. Seniors should certainly ask about pre-set arrangements for dining when booking their travel package.
Added Assistance when Shopping
With disposable income higher for some seniors, and bargain hunting an everlasting passion for others, a travel package that offers additional assistance to help carry shopping purchases back to a hotel or ship, is certainly an attractive added bonus. If this option is not offered, shipping purchases back home is sometimes another answer for seniors, as it saves having to deal with additional items while traveling.
All Inclusive Travel Packages
Airlines have had to be more and more competitive today with the increasing numbers of travelers heading to the internet to surf for the best deals in travel. In addition, airlines, hotels and rental car companies have come to realize that a lot of people seeking to travel can not meet the expense of certain perks, this is why there have been plans made to make more inexpensive travel packages available to those with more limited funds.
One of the airlines leading the way in the fight for lower airfares is JetBlue based at the JFK Airport in New York City. The company was created in 2000 as a low airfare airline with the goal of making travel more affordable for the average person and now a few years down the road they have expanded to over thirty cities all over the United States including Las Vegas and Washington, D.C. JetBlue is putting and end to the myth that low cost airfare equals shoddy service and second rate planes with their practice of flying only new planes that actually rate newest compared to all other airline companies as well as focusing on their repeat customers who enjoy the low airfares.
Southwest is another airline company that is offering low fares and making it more affordable to fly with special sales and deals all year long. Southwest Airlines currently serves nearly sixty cities across the U.S. and they have one way ticket specials starting under $40.
If you need an inexpensive place to stay, check into the Super 8 Motel chain. They offer a guarantee that if another hotel has a similar room for less they will give you your first night free. There are over 2000 Super 8 Motels to accommodate you so there is a strong likelihood you will be able to find one for your destination. The also guarantee that you will be happy with your visit with them. There are other chains such as Holiday Inn Express, Red Roof Inn, and the Days Inn that have good specials as well.
If you are going to be staying a few days at your destination you will more than likely need transportation so that you don't have to rely on taxi cabs or public transportation to get around. Finding a good quality rental car is the best way to handle this so that you can come and go as you please and not have to worry about schedules or waiting for transportation to arrive. If you rent by the day they will be more expensive, the rental cars will be cheaper by the week and the best travel agents will get you an all inclusive deal that will give you airfare, hotel, and rental car for one low price.
Both Barbara Cipak & Gregg Hall are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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