The Alliance France Tourisme (AFT) has launched a complete report on senior tourism. This research analyzes tourism tendencies amongst people aged 60 and older, constituting 27.7% of the French inhabitants, or roughly 19 million folks.
The report emphasizes the modifications in seniors’ journey habits within the context of post-COVID restoration and rising inflation, in addition to their particular wants and preferences.
Senior Tourism: Altering Journey Habits
Regardless of latest challenges, 70% of French seniors have traveled up to now two years, averaging 6.2 yearly journeys. These journeys are divided between 58% brief and 53% lengthy journeys. France stays the highest vacation spot, with 55% brief and 43% lengthy journeys.
Nonetheless, the research reveals vital modifications in seniors’ journey habits: 33% journey much less typically, and 20% have stopped touring altogether. This decline is primarily attributed to budgetary constraints as a consequence of inflation (44%), well being points (31%), and an absence of motivation or need to journey.
Regardless of these challenges, the common annual finances that seniors allocate for holidays is €2,230, which is greater than the budgets of youthful age teams. 18- 34-year-olds allocate €1,776, and people aged 35-59 allocate €2,090.
The research highlights a rising desire for stays in France (47%) and close by areas (26%) in comparison with the interval earlier than COVID. Moreover, 30% of senior vacationers at the moment are searching for versatile reserving choices.
Particular Expectations and Journey Plans
Senior vacationers have well-defined standards for selecting their journey locations. They favor:
- Accessibility (86%)
- Ease of getting round on website (89%)
- The general finances for the keep (85%)
- On-site safety (84%)
- Well being care journey insurance coverage (77%)
Regardless of going through challenges, 63% of seniors intend to journey within the subsequent 5 years, relying on their well being and monetary state of affairs. The research signifies that 70% of seniors who think about themselves in good well being plan to journey, in comparison with solely 45% of these with extra well being issues.
For his or her subsequent journeys, probably the most thought of locations are:
- Metropolitan France: 77%
- Overseas (brief haul): 64%
- Abroad (lengthy haul): 21%
A notable commentary is that many seniors want to journey throughout off-peak seasons. At present, 72% of seniors journey exterior of faculty vacation intervals, and 95% plan to take action sooner or later. The first motivations for this alternative are to keep away from overcrowding at common websites and to reap the benefits of decrease costs.
Concerning actions, cultural and discovery visits stay the preferred, accounting for 63% of preferences. Moreover, there’s a rising curiosity in spa and rest actions, with future projections indicating a rise to 16%, up from the present 7%.
Adapting the Vacationer Provide to Senior Vacationers
The research highlights the significance of adapting the vacationer supply to the particular wants of seniors, significantly for these with well being constraints. One service stands out specifically: implementing tailored mobility to facilitate entry to locations and journey on-site.
Specialists have formulated 10 proposals to develop senior tourism, addressing seniors’ particular expectations and stimulating this very important section of the French vacationer market.
- Combine senior tourism into the French nationwide tourism technique.
- Coaching tourism stakeholders within the wants of seniors.
- Develop an all-season vacationer supply to encourage low season journey.
- Promote gastronomy, wine tourism, and agritourism affords.
- Develop SPA and thalassotherapy.
- Adapt mobility to the wants of seniors.
- Enhance the accessibility of vacationer websites and companies.
- Create intergenerational household choices.
- Develop digital instruments tailored to seniors for reservations.
- Increase the “Seniors on Trip” program.
