News
Trends
Celebrities
Interviews
Jet Set Pet
Suite Dreams
Top 5
Weekend Away
Specials
Family Vacation Packages
Romantic & Honeymoon Packages
Spa & Wellness Packages
Destination Weddings
Girls Getaways
Mother's Day Getaways
Spring Specials
Summer Specials
Fall Travel Packages
Winter Specials
New Year's Travel
Destinations
Articles
Hotels
Hot Hotel Openings
Beach & Island Resorts
5-Star City Hotels
Adventure & Eco Lodges
Boutique City Hotels
Country House Hotels
Family Resorts
Romantic Retreats
Guest Ranches
Safari Camps & Lodges
Golf Resorts & Lodges
Spa Resorts & Wellness Retreats
Ski Resorts & Lodges
Wine Country Getaways
Villas
Beach Villas
Country Villas
Golf Villas
Ski Villas
Villas
Residences
Trips/Cruises
Cruises & Yachting
Rail Journeys
Ultimate Adventures
Private Jet Travel
Safaris
Family Travel
Travel Tips
Business Travel
Airline News
Arts/Culture
Events
Food/Wine
Restaurants
Bars & Nightclubs
Afternoon Tea
Coffee & Desserts
Culinary Travel
Wine Travel
Spa/Sport
Spa & Wellness Retreats
Yoga & Hiking
Golf Getaways
Ski Vacations
Shop/Style
Gift Guide
Beach and Resortwear
Beauty and Fragrance
Books
Fashion
Home Style
Luggage and Handbags
Luxury Autos
Men's Style
Travel Essentials
Watches & Jewelry
Wine and Spirits
World's Most Expensive
Home Page
News
Preferred Hotels Projects Worldwide Travel Surge
December 7, 2010
"The answer is extremely encouraging," says Lindsey Ueberroth, President of Preferred Hotel Group. "Unlike their parents' generation, baby boomers don't consider themselves 'old' at 65," she said. "Our findings show that just the opposite is true. The Boomer generation is more physically active than any in history. They are veteran travelers. And now, with more time available as they reach traditional retirement age, they say they are going to intensify their pursuit of travel, new experiences and adventure."
Some of the findings are surprising: boomers constitute almost one-half (47%) of active American leisure travelers. Two-thirds (66%) have taken a leisure trip to celebrate a life event like an anniversary or birthday. Other findings are more subtle: boomers are more likely to travel as a couple and, since 40% are grandparents, more likely to travel in multi-generational trips. More than two-thirds (68%) have a valid passport.
Ueberroth presented these findings December 7, in Cannes, at the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), the leading annual business-to-business event for the global luxury travel community. Preferred Hotel Group teamed up with Ypartnership, a leading research company in the travel, leisure and lifestyle category, to study the behaviors of more than 2,500 adult travelers. The specific boomer generation data was derived from a subset of 1,185.
The study findings of this seemingly insatiable generation include:
Boomers want it all – former luxuries are now considered necessities, including travel and fine dining.
Family legacy is key – concerned about legacy, boomers will amp up their pursuit of multi-generational travel. Four in 10 of all boomers are now grandparents. Spending time with loved ones matters.
Online rules – this is a group that researches everything in-depth on the Internet and makes buying decisions online – including booking travel.
Savvy at social media – yes, they have a Facebook page and a Twitter account. And they use them.
They want to take their travel experiences to the next level – collectively, baby boomers are already world travelers. They backpacked through Europe as teens and have trotted the globe since. They now want more.
Aspirational, experiential, sustainable, interactive, thematic – these are the types of travel that appeal to this group. No bus tours for this crowd. Instead, boomers seek self-fulfillment, a connection to nature, authentic world cultures and active involvement with every travel experience.
They are all foodies – whether they are eating as locavores in Thailand or harvesting grapes in France, culinary tourism scores off the charts.
Comfort meets adventure – they want both. Zip lining over a forest canopy and trekking by day; fine dining and a comfortable bed by night is the formula that works for them.
Ueberroth is highly optimistic. "There are 77 million boomers. Every day for the next 19 years, more than 11,000 boomers will celebrate a 65th birthday," Ueberroth said. "Preferred Hotel Group believes that the travel industry is on the verge of a true golden age. The opportunities to serve the boomers are vast. We are going to seek out the boomers. We are going to serve them well and often. And, we are going to share in the growth and prosperity that they will generate. This is a turning point."
In 2011, Preferred Hotel Group will introduce a number of ongoing promotions celebrating boomers' appetite for travel. Beginning in January, a "Happy Birthday Boomer" package will provide compelling incentives for them to engage their newfound freedoms at Preferred Hotel Group members around the world. In addition, an interactive "Bucket List" contest will fulfill a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. The company is also developing a targeted advertising campaign focused on these sophisticated, young-at-heart travelers.
Like Us
Facebook
Follow Us
Twitter
Follow us
Instagram
Sign-up for Our Email Newsletter
FIND A LUXURY HOTEL & BOOK WITH EXCLUSIVE PERKS!
Andorra
Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Bermuda
Bhutan
Botswana
Brazil
British Virgin Islands
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
Canada
Cayman Islands
Chile
China
Colombia
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Croatia
Curacao
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
England
Estonia
Ethiopia
Fiji Islands
Finland
France
French Polynesia
Galapagos
Germany
Greece
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Guatemala
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kenya
Kuwait
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Martinique
Mauritius
Mexico
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
Netherlands Antilles
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Norway
Oman
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Russia
Scotland
Seychelles
Singapore
Slovakia
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
St Vincent & the Grenadines
St. Barthelemy
St. Kitts & Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Martin
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Turkey
Turks & Caicos
U.S. Virgin Islands
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Vanuatu
Vietnam
Wales
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Beach
City
Coastal
Countryside
Desert
Golf Course
Island
Jungle
Lakeside
Mountains
Remote
Waterfront
Wilderness
Adventure/Eco/Nature
Culture
Business Meeting
Casino/Gambling
Food & Wine
Family Vacation
Golf Getaway
Pet Friendly
Romantic Getaway
Safari
Scuba Diving
Shopping & Fashion
Ski Vacation
Spa & Wellness
Villas
Wedding
Wineries / Wine Tasting
Luxury Partners
Porto Zante Villas & Spa - Zakynthos, Greece - Exclusive Luxury Resort
Voyages Magazine - Cruising the World in Style
Viking Cruises - #1 Ocean, River, and Expedition cruises
Sofitel Paris - Experience the Sparkling City of Light Four Ways
JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa
Villa Lala — Romantic Boutique Hotel in Puerto Vallarta
Luxury Villas and Residences - for your perfect family vacation.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa - Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii - Beachfront Resort
Atlantis Dubai - An iconic entertainment destination comprised of two world-class resorts that bring you extraordinary experiences.
Cabo Platinum - Cabo San Lucas Luxury Villas, Yachts & Concierge Services
The St. Regis Deer Valley - Park City, Utah - Exhilarating activities in the summer and the winter
Blue Waters Resort & Spa - Antigua - A hidden gem nestled in a private bay on Antigua's northwestern coast with sunset views
Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach - Sunny Isles, Miami, Florida