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Senior Citizen Travel & Vacation
Travel Agencies that Target Senior Citizens May Best
Meet Special Travel Needs
Vantage explains advantages; says median age of their
customers is 71
 Sept.
10, 2007 - As baby boomers and senior citizens find themselves at a time
of life with more free time, many are opting to travel. But a trip to
Disney World or a sharing a cruise ship with rowdy spring breakers may
not be what many seniors have in mind. Those looking for something more
suited to their interests should consult with a company that specializes
in servicing mature travelers.
Vantage Deluxe World Travel, based in Boston,
Massachusetts, is one of these companies targeting the older market.
Ninety-five percent of Vantage’s travelers are over age 50; the median
age of their customers is 71.
Vantage offers ocean, European river and small ship
cruises, as well as escorted land tours to a wide array of destinations
throughout the world.
But companies like Vantage appeal to the senior
traveler in a variety of ways. For example, many of the offered trips
are for longer periods of time than the standard week-long trip. Whether
it’s an African safari, or a cruise along the Imperial Russian
waterways, the itinerary for seniors is usually set at a leisurely pace,
so travelers can absorb as much as they want from their vacation, while
still feeling rested and relaxed.
Vacation is meant to be fun and relaxing. But many
times, people return from a trip more exhausted than when they left.
Travel companies that cater specifically to the needs of older travelers
design their trips to include just as many, if not more, destinations
and sights than mainstream travel companies, but they keep the itinerary
at an enjoyable pace.
This allows you to spend as much time as you want
visiting sights like the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican or the holiday
markets in Germany. Certain trips are longer than the norm, often no
shorter than ten days. The longer trip gives your body a chance to
adjust to the time-change so you don’t feel groggy throughout the entire
vacation.
Traveling in a foreign country can be intimidating,
especially if you don’t speak the native language!
Travel companies that cater to the mature traveler
want customers to feel comfortable in all of their destinations. For
example, Vantage Deluxe World Travel, an international company based in
Boston, ensures comfort by employing English-speaking expert program
managers to accompany travelers.
“Our program managers are often natives of the
destination country,” said Henry Lewis, Vantage’s CEO.
“Whether you need help finding a restaurant or
bargaining with a street vendor, your program manager’s fluency in both
English and the native language prove beneficial.”
If where you stay is as important to you as where
you go, you need a travel company who feels the same way.
Travel companies who emphasis senior-friendly
amenities recognize the importance of comfort at a reasonable price.
They boast ships with spacious cabins and picture windows, unlike many
large cruise lines who charge top dollar for a room with a porthole.
Hotel rooms are inspected and approved by company employees before your
arrival.
Finding a partner to travel the world with you
isn’t always possible.
Senior travel companies welcome the solo traveler,
and some companies offer to partner them with a travel companion. The
person who travels alone won’t be left behind, as ice-breakers and
special activities are planned to help everyone feel included. If you
prefer to travel alone, look for companies that offer single supplements
at an affordable rate, advises Vantage’s Lewis.
Getting off the beaten path and immersing yourself
in the culture is the best way to experience your destination.
Many companies that serve mature travelers take
advantage of the extra time allowed by a longer trip to provide truly
authentic cultural experiences.
For instance, among Vantage’s offerings are the
chances to sample a home-cooked meal at a farmer’s house by the Yangtze
River or participate in a jewelry-making demonstration in India. They
also offer a “Day in the life of a Moscow Citizen” metro tour, a visit
to a Panama hat factory and a visit to a children’s school in Brasilia,
to name a few.
Senior travel companies know their clients. They
know what you need and what you want, and are equipped to deliver what
you expect from a vacation: an amazing experience and memories to last a
lifetime.
Editor’s Note: Information for this story was
provided by Vantage Deluxe World Travel.
http://www.vantagetravel.com/home.aspx
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