Boomer travellers, Super-agers, Golden Age Travellers, whatever your preferred handle, the older, more mature traveller is taking the travel industry by storm.
Mature travellers have some distinct advantages over their younger counterparts. Most are retired, the children have fled the nest and they usually have more funds at their disposal to enjoy the finer sides of travel.
Meet the mature traveller
So what constitutes a mature traveller? As times have changed over the years, you really don’t fall in the category of older traveller until you are at least in your 60s or even 70s. There was a time when being in your 50s was considered ‘older’, these days, most people in their 50s still work, many still have children at home and they generally have less time to enjoy endless, long vacations. So, for the purpose of this blog, I will focus on the over-60/70 age group, that fortunate bunch of people who can travel at the drop of a hat, go where they want and when they want, without answering to a boss or being restricted to school holidays.
Mature travellers have become more adventurous, with the advent of the internet, retirees can browse destinations and plan trips without even leaving their home. Gone are the days of popping to the travel agent on the high street and pouring over brochures before picking an organised tour, complete with flights, coach to and from the airport and tour guide on hand if anything were to go awry.
Getting adventurous
Many mature travellers are spreading their wings far and wide, exploring destinations formerly reserved for gap-year students, hippies or only the brave. That’s not to say that hostels in far east Asia are filled with grey-haired grandmas or ageing aunties. With more money at their disposal, mature travellers are seeing the world in style. Less backpack and more business class, and why not…they’ve earned it.
There is still a place, however, for the organised tour, just because you are a mature traveller, doesn’t mean to say you will throw caution to the wind and change the habits of a lifetime. Organised package tours make life easier, no planning or booking individual elements of the trip, all you have to do is choose the destination, pay the money and wait for the taxi to collect you from home. Off to the airport you go and what lies ahead is less of a ‘leave it to fate’ and more of a ‘leave it to us’.
Single, mature travellers may also prefer organised tours as a way of spending time in new places with like-minded people.
Play it safe
As applies to travellers of any age, decent, comprehensive travel insurance is a must, the need increases as we get older, especially when travelling to far-flung destinations or particularly the USA. Medical care in less-developed countries can be somewhat hit and miss and in the USA, receiving medical treatment, even as an outpatient is likely to bankrupt you. I once spent five hours in the ER in a New York hospital suffering from mysterious stomach pains which stopped as quickly as they started. A few weeks later I received a bill for 6,000 dollars, thankfully I was travelling with my job so the company covered all costs.
Once you hit 55, premiums usually increase, and increase again over the age of 70 but there are a number of providers which specialise in mature travellers, so do plenty of shopping around to get the best deal and cover. Remember also to disclose all medical conditions otherwise you may find yourself in a battle down the line if you need to make a claim.
Travel insurance isn’t just for medical cover, it will also cover you if a careless airline mis-handles your luggage and you might get a decent payout if you experience a lengthy flight delay. It is important to take out the insurance as soon as you book your trip, that way, if you have to cancel for a medical reason, you should be able to claim back any monies you have already paid out.
Read more about travel insurance here.
On the subject of medical, if you are on certain types of medication, remember to pack more than your actually need for the duration of the trip. It is also a good idea to print off a list of your regular medication which you can refer to if you end up in hospital.
Utilise the room safe in hotels and don’t flash any jewellery or expensive electronics while exploring. I know it sounds a cliché but try to not look like a tourist. Without stereotyping (I promise) when one thinks of a typical American tourist, baggy shorts, tennis shoes, baseball caps and big cameras spring to mind. Whereas the stereotype of a typical ‘Brit abroad’ is a guy with loud shorts, bad tan lines and a pint of beer in one hand! While you won’t come across a mugger around every corner in every city, blending in and striding out with the confidence of a local will make you less of a target.
Not all mature travellers are as mobile as they used to be but don’t let this stop you from enjoying new adventures. Read here, my top tips for travelling with limited mobility.
Choosing your destination
As a mature traveller, you should choose your destination wisely, yes you may have dreamed all your life of trekking in the Himalayas, but ask yourself if you could cope with the rigours of that type of trip. Equally, trips to remote locations may require vaccinations which are not recommended after a certain age, yellow fever is one that springs to mind.
Do you like the challenge of learning a new language or do you prefer to travel to countries where English is more widely spoken? Are you adventurous when it comes to food? While exotic locations may seem exciting or life-enhancing, if you can’t stomach the local cuisine you may find yourself going hungry if you don’t do your research.
Take into account the journey time to get to your chosen destination, the older you are, the more susceptible you are to suffering from a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) on a long flight. If you do decide to fly long-haul, try and get up to stretch your legs frequently and go easy on the free alcohol.
Stay in touch
While you are away, remember to keep in touch with friends or family at home, my own parents are notorious for falling off the radar when they travel, and going ‘off comms’ for a length of time can be worrying for your relatives who will be at home thinking the worst. A simple email or text message will suffice or even open a social media account so your loved ones can enjoy your adventures with you, by way of photos and ‘check-ins’.
Take advantage of your age
Some advantages of getting older include the special discounts you can enjoy all across the globe. Cheap entry into museums and tourist attractions, discount on public transport and some hotels even offer special rates for senior citizens. Do some research before you leave and save yourself a fortune! (In many cases photo ID will be required to take advantage of discounts).
Don’t be afraid
I guess as we get older we become more cautious but don’t let this stop you from trying new adventures. when you travel. Got an urge to skydive from an airplane, bungee jump over a waterfall or try your hand at paragliding? As long as your health (and travel insurance cover) allows it, go for it!
You may have followed the exploits of Irish journalist, Bas Ashmawi and his mum Nancy in the TV show, ’50 Ways to Kill your Mammy’ (aired as 50 Ways to Kill your mother in the US). Ashmawi travels the world with his 70-year-old mum, enticing her into participating in daring and hilarious stunts. Well worth a watch and who knows which stunts you may try for yourself! Take a look here 50 Ways to Kill Your Mammy
Most importantly – enjoy
Travel can be exhausting, whatever your age, so take time out from sightseeing to relax and enjoy the comforts of your hotel room. If you have a view, sit by the window and watch the world go by or stop in a cafe or bar, grab the best table and sit and take in all the sights and sounds of your destination. Take time to chat to the locals, absorb their knowledge and meet new friends at the same time.
Most of all, enjoy your trip, think back to the days of hauling your small screaming toddler onto charter flights in the busy school holidays. Count your blessings that you can now enjoy new adventures with a mature outlook, a healthier bank balance and an air of freedom that travelling with no responsibility brings.
Thankyou Adele for all the information for OLDIES! Especially the Insurance, as even something as simple as toothache can cost a lot of money when abroad. Also , regarding overdoing the bling, no one cares whether your watch is Gucci or chain store, so long as it tells the time. Just relax and enjoy the trip.
Thanks Helen!
Fantastic article and hope it will inspire people of all ages to travel
Thank very much!