According to the New York Times, boomers are changing the way we travel. Stephanie Rosenbloom, a staff writer for the travel section, says that people between 49-67, which is about 26% of the population, controls the 'lion's share of disposable income'. Since we are the biggest demographic, we have been controlling the nation's travel for decades.
It was the 'swinging singles' of the 60s and 70s who put Club Med on the map. When we grew older, our tastes and appetites changed into posh rooms at places like Copacabana Palace and The Plaza.When we demanded shorter cruises and smaller tours, they were created. When the economy tanked in 2008, boomers shut their wallets and stayed home. Now that the economy is rebounding, the travel industry is trying to lure us back.
Many boomers are now retiring and have the time and extra income to travel. Our whims, aspirations, and small vacations are helping to once again shape the travel industry. Isn't it nice to know that we are so powerful? Trips geared to old movie nuts are being engineered by TCM to hopefully corral people on cruise ships to view, talk, and critic favorite old movies. Cougar cruises have been invented to bring older women and young men together. The list goes on and on.
Since some boomers have lost some of their pensions due to bad investments, tour companies are making sweeping changes. Some boomers are going to be working until their 70s, prompting tours to be shortened. Some international trips can last longer than 21 days, and this can affect the price and the amount of time people are willing to travel. That is to say that taking that much time off of work can be prohibitive.
Other boomers are taking their 'bucket list' trips too. "I've always wanted to go to Europe" is changing into "Let's go to Europe before our legs give out." Any way you look at it, it is a change for the better. No longer are boomers being 'put on the shelf' in retirement. We are behind many new trends for the better, and now we can enjoy trips suited to our income, our needs, and our desires. We are a powerful voice in this country.
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