I read recently in the Travel News Gazette that travellers aged 55+ accounted for more than a quarter of all trips abroad made by Europeans in 2010. Between 2005 and 2010 overseas travel by Europeans aged 55+ increased by 17%.

by Sarah 249

As I’m in my early 50s, I tried to evaluate if my travel needs are different now to earlier stages in my life and if a site aimed at over 50s is relevant to me. I was never into backpacking or camping but was always on the look out for good value, comfortable accommodation. I still enjoy doing the same things on holiday e.g. some walking, swimming, eating and visiting museums.

I’ve observed some travel websites aimed at the over 50s.  I had a look at Silver Travel Advisor; their tagline of “personal travel advice for mature travellers” appealed to me versus a one size fits all approach. The site emphasises its moderated unbiased, honest travel reviews, written by mature travellers for mature travellers. You can ask an advisor a travel question.

I gave this service a trial run, asking for ideas for a 2-3 night European short break for my classical music loving Dad’s 75th birthday next March, with a budget of £500 for flights and accommodation. I received a reply in under 24 hours with a couple of suggestions, with link to reviews of these holiday companies. One of the suggestions was way over budget.  The other one, although within budget, was in the UK and didn’t include any transport but it did include two evenings of musical entertainment. I think the personal advisor is a useful service if you want the financial security of booking a package, versus putting together your own trip, with the reassurance of unbiased trip reviews from other mature travellers.  However it appears that you would need a fairly high travel budget to afford the options on offer.

There are prizes every month for becoming a member and/or submitting a review. In August 2011 people signing up as new members are entered in a prize draw for a two night stay at a hotel in Torquay and those leaving a review are entered in a prize draw to win three night stay in a 5 star hotel Prague including BA flights.

Of course, nobody likes to think of themselves as getting older but I don’t feel that Silver Travel Advisor is that relevant to me at this stage of my life.  Perhaps once I have issues such as not being covered by standard travel insurance, which with some companies starts at 65+,  I may find a site aimed at mature travellers more applicable.