Why Baby Boomer Travel is Important: 11 Experts Weigh in

Why baby Boomer Travel Is Important
Baby Boomer Travel has been increasingly on the rise over the past decade.

 

Whether it’s empty nesters getting their first taste of post-parenting freedom, retirees finally putting their nest egg to good use, or 50- and 60-somethings enjoying the luxuries that come with success, more Boomers travel abroad than ever before. And the travel industry has taken notice, offering a diverse array of trips targeting the mature audience.

 

But why is Boomer Travel important– not just for the economy, but for the travelers themselves? We consulted some of the world’s leading Boomer Travel Bloggers to get their insights on the benefits they’ve seen from their adventures. Their answers covered everything from health benefits and embracing independence to meeting new people and reconnecting as a couple.

Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers- Berkeley and Beyond

“Traveling can make you healthier. I walk a lot more when I’m traveling, and my blood tests are always better after a trip. I discovered this when I came back from a trip to London a few years ago. When I left, my cholesterol and triglycerides were high and I was on alert to eat right. However, I just couldn’t give up the pubs and beer. When I came back and got more blood tests, numbers had decreased. My doctor told me to keep doing whatever I’d been doing, and that was plenty of walking and reasonable amounts of beer. Unfortunately, this only seems to work for me when I’m traveling, so I always really look forward to getting out of town.”  -Carole Terwilliger Meyers of Berkeley and BeyondBaby Boomer Travel Bloggers- Contented Traveller

“Baby Boomers continue to dominate culture and economics. Travel is a big marketplace, and Baby Boomer travel is a huge market. AARP reports that 99% of Baby Boomers plan to travel in 2016. This accounts for why the travel industry is focusing on attracting our demographic. Quite simply, we are a money pit! As a fit, free, and financial generation, we also happen to be tech-savvy. The benefits of Baby Boomer travel are that we CAN have it all. We have the travel industry ardently wooing us, and we are more than capable of organizing things by ourselves.” -Paula and Gordon of Contented Traveller
Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers- frugal first class travel

“Boomer women should travel solo more often. Never use the lack of a travel partner as an excuse.  Boomers have the life experience to know exactly what they want and get the best out of traveling. Spend as long as you like gazing out over an azure sea, or marveling at a beautiful piece of art. And the best part for me? I never get lonely. I’ve talked about fertility treatments with a couple from Iowa in Paris, talked about pickpockets with a young German DJ in Lisbon, and shared a food walk with an American chef. What are you waiting for?” -Jo Karnaghan of Frugal First Class Travel 

 

Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers- Gypsy Nesters

“So much of our life was dedicated to raising kids that one of our greatest fears when we became empty nesters was that we’d become that couple that sits at the diner staring at their eggs, with nothing to say to each other. Traveling has eliminated that by expanding our horizons, challenging our minds, and giving us so much to talk about that now it seems we never shut up. As an unexpected bonus, along the way we rediscovered the fun-loving youngsters who first met over three decades ago.” -Veronica & David of The GypsyNesters  

Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers- McCool Travel

 

“As kids head off to college and Boomers transition from a school-focused calendar to a more flexible schedule, they have the perfect opportunity for new travel experiences. When our twins left for college, we were frankly a little jealous of the new lives they were off to enjoy. Fortunately, a cruise was the perfect antidote: There were new learning experiences every day and a chance to make new friends. Of course, our stateroom was pretty elegant compared to the kids’ dorm rooms. And the food, entertainment, on-board amenities, and value were the kind of college life we were happy to experience anew.” -Charles & Julie McCool of McCool Travel and Fun in Fairfax VA

 

 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers- More Time To Travel

“Traveling as a couple provides us with a bank of new memories to share, greatly enhancing our relationship. We especially enjoy continually experiencing “new firsts” (our first time going up in a hot air balloon over the Serengeti, first time eating at a Lyonnais bouchon, first time climbing a tower in Umbria). Looking at our photos and talking about our travels enables us to re-live these joyful experiences.” -Irene S. Levine of  More Time To Travel

 

Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers- My Itchy Travel Feet

“Traveling more often is one of the perks of the boomer life. But did you know that boomer travel offers a healthy benefit—for your brain? Traveling heightens my senses, and yours, too. But it’s more than beautiful views, pleasant smells or pleasing sounds. All of those stimuli create new pathways in the brain while improving connections that already exist. And have you noticed the new ideas that pop into your mind on a trip? My brain practically explodes with creativity! Scientists believe that travel exercises cognitive flexibility, which is the brain’s ability to flit from one idea to another—an important part of creativity. Travel also gets you out of a rut, expands thinking, and increases problem solving. Now you have the best reason ever to plan that next trip”. -Donna L. Hull of My Itchy Travel Feet
Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers- No Particular Place To Go

“As retired boomers. we view time as a huge gift. Traveling has filled our days with anticipation for the next city, the next country, the next culture.  We made travel our priority in 2012. Since then, we’ve learned more about ourselves, each other and the world. We’ve made more friends, pondered more deep thoughts, and laughed more than all our years previously. Each day we make a travel dream become a reality, we see the world grow smaller and our bucket lists grow longer. Everything and every place becomes possible after you take the first few steps and start to think creatively about the various ways to achieve your travel goals.” -Anita Oliver & Richard Nash of No Particular Place To Go
Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers- Rachels Ruminations

“I’ve spent most of my adult life playing a variety of roles– student, Peace Corps volunteer, girlfriend, and then wife, mother, foster parent, and educator. Many boomers have the additional role of carer for elderly parents, or as grandparents. Travel late in life, when I’ve been able to shed some of those roles, has helped me get in touch with myself again. When I traveled solo for the first time, I felt a new kind of freedom that was exhilarating. My complete lack of obligations was scary at first. I had to make all decisions myself. But that was a journey—both literal and figurative— that was well worth it.” -Rachel Heller of Rachel’s Rumination

 

Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers- A Taste For Travel

“Multi-generational travel is on the rise among Baby Boomers who not only want to build bonds with their children and grandchildren, but also want to create memories that leave a lasting legacy. Group travel with a purpose– such as learning Spanish in Nicaragua, volunteering on a sea turtle rescue project in Costa Rica, or enjoying lunch with a local Mayan family in Guatemala– can build awareness and appreciation for the world’s cultural diversity as well as critical environmental issues. An added bonus is that when you’re giving back to a community or learning about the environment, you deepen your understanding of each other as well as the destination you’re visiting.” -Michele Peterson of A Taste for Travel

 

Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers- Travel Past 50

“Happy travelers start each day ready to see something new and experience something unplanned. After a lifetime of routine work and working the plan, Boomers in particular can be completely transformed by this travel serendipity. Maybe you walk into a cafe, hot and tired, just hoping for a cold beverage. By chance you run into a museum director who invites you on a private tour the following day. And you say yes! Even travel hardships or disappointments help us realize how much more flexible we’ve become. Boomer Travel is an exercise in receptivity and resourcefulness. Enjoy the moment!” -Kristin Henning of Travel Past 50 

 

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