We have gathered information related to older people turism.

  Older people are defined by the travel industry as persons aged 50 to 80. And they control 80 percent of the developed world's discretionary income. This age group puts a high priority on travelling and tends to be in good health. They won't let special diets and modified pacing prevent proudly earned calluses, blisters and bruises.

In their so-called retirement years, Ron and Adelle Milavsky are an inspiring couple who have chosen not to let the grass grow tall around their feet. Even in their working days these lively, curious folks were no slouches. Ron finished his career as vice-president of the National Broadcasting Corp. (NBC) in 1989 then went on to serve as a Professor of Communication at the University of Connecticut for seven years. Adelle pursued careers in export management and jewellery design before taking to the road in 2001. And, of course, writing a large format, 310-page guidebook is no small feat in itself, sidelining the couple's travels in 2004. In early July 2005, Ron and Adelle celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends, then set out on an RV exploration of Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy and more of France. Readers may enjoy their adventures and weekly journal comments on the Milavsky website, aptly named www.rv2europe.com. Their 2006 route includes the UK, Netherlands, Belgium and France.

Air travel in older people

  Commercial air travel is one of the safest means of transport. However, the environment within the aircraft cabin may have deleterious physiological effects on passengers, especially those with underlying medical problems and those who are old. With growing affluence, cheaper airfares and an ageing population, there will be more older people travelling by air over extended periods and longer distances, with a concomitant rise in the number of medical illnesses in the air. Older people may encounter various problems during a long journey. Certain actions may help to minimize these problems. read more...

Age is no barrier to getting travel on the sea. Janka Bielak, an 80-year-old Pole, has been travelling on ships for many years, believing them to be a good forum for international friendship. Each year Janka loves to join Races for at least one sector. "The sea is our bridge," says Janka, "and to travel there is unforgettable!". Source: travelwithachallenge.com

Eighty-year-old Janka Bielak with Captain Marcus Seidl of Statsraad Lehmkuhl.

'Mature Travel' in the Yukon
by Darrell Hookey

  Nobody, but nobody, has the business smarts of ... The Mouse.

  So when Yukon tour operators see Disney World featuring active, greying couples in their television advertisements, they had better take notice. There is a niche market of a niche market that has become a dominant force these past few years: Mature travellers who are seeking alternative experiences and opportunities to learn.

  The television ads usually show 20-somethings scoffing at the idea of their parents going to Disney World just to lie on a beach. A lot of people have to realize that 50 percent of vacationers today are not lounging on the deck of a cruise ship, they are not camping nor RVing and they are certainly not lying on a beach between rich meals.

  Instead, mature adventure travellers are visiting small towns to study overlooked cultures; they are cycling between quaint European villages; they are donating their time to work in an orphanage; and they are exploring the countryside by foot, horse and canoe. read more...

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