Consumers Ages 45+ Love to Travel, Spend Most Time And Money Online

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I was in Phoenix recently for meetings with advertising agencies and had lunch with my father and his friends. The conversation turned to travel -- from adventure, to cruises to golf. Now is a good time to mention the majority of people at lunch were in their 60's and 70's -- one dynamic couple had gone sky diving on multiple occasions! Many had enjoyed cruising to the Mediterranean, Panama Canal, Greece and Italy. 

As marketers, we know that consumers ages 45 + have the desire and resources to travel. Boomer consumers purchase 80% of the luxury travel and over 60% have their passports. There is a pent up demand for travel from  years of our recession. Confidence is  growing and travel planning is beginning to rise. Below are several  categories of travel that are catalysts for Baby Boomer consumers to break out their Bank of America Travel Rewards Card or Fairmont Visa Signature Card from JP Morgan and book their next trip.

Popular Travel Categories

Religion - over 900,000 people from the U.S. average age of 55 traveled for religious reasons, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. Holy Land includes Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Italy, Portugal and France. Ninety percent of the faith-based travelers are Christians. 

Eco-tourism - Green focused consumers with sensitivity to the environment and world sustainability. The UN World Tourism Organization predicts 1.6 billion trips by 2020. Trips include hiking, seeing waterfalls, nature walks, bird watching and more. 

Adventure Travel - Adventure travel is for everyone of all ages. According to a report by George Washington University and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, the adventure category spending was $89 billion in 2009 with much growth ahead. Boomers and seniors are hiking, sky diving, snorkeling, scuba diving, cycling and skiing -- and as I heard at the table, "after I raised my kids it was my turn to have the experience and not watch others do it!" 

Culinary Cruises - Boomers love their food, wine and cruising. Put them together and you have a growing market. Holland Cruises started culinary cruises five years ago -- now most of the cruises include culinary delights and focus. 

Destination Weddings - The fastest-growing online dating consumer category is ages 50+. According to The Wedding Report, 2 million couples get married in the U.S. each year, spending an average of $27,000. Destination weddings represent 16% of the wedding market and over $5 billion. 

Multi-generational or Family Trips - These trips tend to be booked around milestone events such as birthdays or anniversaries. Note: grandparents are known now to take their grandkids to Europe today because they are savvy travelers themselves. These big-ticket trips will give them quality time and memories for a lifetime. 

Medical Tourism - According to the Medical Tourism Association, the medical travel  industry is a $60 billion industry. As Boomers age, affordable health care may be found outside the country. Most popular destinations include Singapore, Thailand, India, Mexico, Costa Rica, Jordan, Turkey and Brazil. 

There are just seven categories of travel listed here; there is also Golf, Spas, Girls Weekends trips and many more. The one thing to note is where you are spending your marketing dollars for the best ROI. Baby Boomers feel an entitlement to travel; they have raised their families and worked hard. They believe it’s their turn now. 

Baby Boomers spend the most time and money online each month -- more than Gen X and Gen Y. Baby Boomers  have the resources, computer savvy and desire to travel -- whether it is adventure tourism or medical tourism, they are researching and planning now. 

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4 comments on "Consumers Ages 45+ Love to Travel, Spend Most Time And Money Online ".

1. Paula Lynn from Who Else Unlimited
   

   commented on: May 21, 2012 at 12:41 p.m.
   There is also a growing segment of single travel, not the kind to mix and mingle, but to travel. Those hefty fines pushed onto singles by tour groups, etc. because they do not have a significant other (or even consideration when 2 friends who not sleep in the same bed) do not help to encourage their own profits. Many travel agents don't know what to do with you, not to mention don't know how to put a trip together (experiencing that again now so I do it myself). There is a lot of money sitting on the table and being ignored.
2. Ruth J Clark from Fashion Moves Inclusive Designs
   

   commented on: May 21, 2012 at 2:34 p.m.
   An increasing number of people in this demographic have some degree of hand or overall mobility impairment. What is the Garment Industry doing to respond to their needs as they live the active life of their choice? Fashion Moves Inclusive Designs is working to address this. I have just sent you a private note and invite your readers to learn about my work as well. Ruth J Clark www.fashionmovescompetition.blogspot.com
3. Janet Noll from RFD-TV
   

   commented on: May 31, 2012 at 4:05 p.m.
   We have the perfect fit for you to reach the Boomers with a national Cable TV Network-RFD-TV. Be glad to introduce you to succes with our niche targeting opportunities. janet@rfdtv.com
4. Joshua Iverson from iMediaSalesTeam
   

   commented on: June 12, 2012 at 12:41 p.m.
   Great recap Nancy! - Josh Iverson josh@imediasalesteam.com and www.imediaaudiences.com

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