AS Singapore’s population continues to age, silver tourism has the potential to develop into a top market for outbound travel companies, according to the results of a pilot study of 377 Singaporeans presented during the NATAS Travel Conference at ITB Asia last week.
Based on the findings, Goh Chin Kwee, lecturer, gerontological management studies, Temasek Polytechnic, said: “The segment of travellers between 50-59 years of age is the best group to target (for silver tourism). They are at the age bracket before the onset of illness and often have children who are of independent age of 18 years old or older.”
“For the older group of travellers between 65-74 years of age, they are willing to pay more for trained medical service support, despite being in the more price-sensitive segment (as retirees). A significant 85 per cent would purchase fully arranged tour packages – the older they are, the higher the tendency.”
Goh also pointed out the trend of improving Internet literacy among these older travellers, who are becoming increasingly comfortable with online purchases. He added that inter-generational travel was more common among baby boomers in Asia, unlike their counterparts in the West who often travel with people their own age.
Aaron Teo, consultant, Golf Holidays Singapore, estimated that senior travellers comprised 10 per cent of his company’s clientele.
“Senior tourism is not a clearly defined segment, plus their preference to travel with their families as a mixed-age group also makes it hard for us to identify their needs. They are certainly more into tailor-made, lifestyle packages that are slower-paced, as well as (displaying) a keener interest in culture, religion and food compared to younger travellers,” he said.
“However, they are also more cautious of risks, such as the (propensity for) floods in Thailand, so the sales outlook for this segment remains unclear.”
