Category Archives for Travel

A snapshot of older travelers, and travel tips

Published in RINewsToday on March 10, 2025

Larry Tetreault, 78, and wife Diane, 72, don’t spend their days sitting in rocking chairs on their porch in Narragansett.  For over 20 years, the former educators have traveled quite a bit, mostly taking international trips,” says Larry. These trips, usually to warmer climates (Bahamas, Bermuda, and Aruba), “put a spring in our steps,” he notes.

“Oftentimes we travel to upper New York state to visit old friends,” he says, noting that sometimes their son, his wife, and the grandkids,come along, too.

After a lifetime of work, the Narragansett residents (formerly from Pawtucket) admit that they enjoy their traveling. “It helps us to relax, and it makes life a whole lot more enjoyable,” says Larry, a former Pawtucket City Councilor. “We’re making the most of the time we have left by doing things that we enjoy, like travelling” he adds.

Next week, the Tetreaults are planning to travel to Aruba for a two-week stay. “It’s a beautiful place to visit, well-managed, clean,  literally little crime, and great weather,” notes Larry.  

Like the Tetreaults, older Americans are beginning to make their travel plans this year.  Last week, AARP released 2025 Travel Trends research revealing a significant rise in the percentage of adults aged 50 and older who plan to travel, from 2024 (65%) to 2025 (70%), reflecting an upward trend beyond pre-pandemic levels. 

The study also highlights a growing preference for domestic air travel in 2025 – up from 38% in 2024 to 46% this year, surpassing traveling by personal vehicle, now at 43%, down from 49% in 2024. Contributing factors for this decrease appears to be the declining COVID concerns and reduced inflationary stress, says the report.   

Travel is Back in Full Swing for Older Adults 

The 44-page report, 2025 Travel Trends: A Survey of U.S. Adults Age 50-Plus,  examines the travel behaviors, expectations, and planning among adults – this year with a sample size of 2,970 respondents.  

“We are delighted to see that travel is back in full swing for older adults,” said Patty David, Vice President of Consumer Insights for AARP in a March 6 statement announcing the study’s release. “Spending time with family and friends is a primary motivator for adults 50 and older to travel. And it’s no surprise what benefits travel provides to older adults: Almost all respondents indicated that travel is good for their mental (95%) and physical (85%) health,” she says.

According to the AARP study’s findings, more than half (56%) of respondents said spending time with family or friends was a top motivator for travel. Like the Tetreaults, many also see travel as an opportunity to escape daily routines or focus on rest and relaxation and to rejuvenate. 

Last year, the study found that adults 50 and older took more trips than anticipated for the first time – the highest in four years. While older adults anticipated taking 3.6 trips on average, they actually took 3.9 trips on average. Adults 50-plus remain conservative in their anticipated number of trips in 2025 – about 3.6 on average, note the findings.

Though planned trips are on the rise, cost remains the main barrier to travel in 2025. Total anticipated spending, however, remains steady year over year at approximately $6,800, on average, the findings say.

AARP’s Travel Trends survey also found that in 2025 the top domestic destinations are Florida (15%), California (11%), Las Vegas (6%), New York (6%), Texas (6%) and Arizona (4%).  Where’s Rhode Island?????

Meanwhile, AARP’s Travel study findings indicate that while the older respondents anticipated taking family trips, summer trips and weekend getaways domestically, the top motivators for taking an international trip was tied to being on a person’s bucket list (22%) and family or multi-generational trips (11%).  

The researchers found that anticipation of international trips has increased from 37% in 2024 to 45% in 2025, though this still remains below pre-pandemic levels of 52%.

As to getting help for planning their trips about 40% of adult travelers expressed interested in taking an organized group trip, with a guided travel tour, of greatest interest (25%). While most older travelers are not currently aware of curated trips (60%), once learning about this, 55% express interest in having a personalized itinerary for them.

Like many of the older respondents, Tetreault’s wife does the planning for their trips “She finds information online by just cruising the internet,” he admitted that “booking a trip can be a breeze,” too.  

As to planning your trip, AARP’s survey of U.S. Adults Age 50-Plus, found that getting assistance from Artificial Intelligence (AI) planning is slow to take hold.  Although ninety-eight percent are aware of AI, only 1 in 10 (8%) say that they use it for planning purposes.  However, the researchers noted that for those who did use AI, about 94% say that using it was helpful in planning their trip. 

Tips for Older International Travelers

“Travel Smart. Travel Safe. Travel Well,” reads a handout for older travelers posted on the U.S Department of State’s (DOS) website, www.travel.state.gov.  DOS, a federal agency that manages the United States’s foreign affairs, provides the following information for older travelers to review while making your international travel plans.  

DOS recommends that older travelers learn as much about their vacation designation(s)  as they can before their departures.  Do you need to get a visa, or vaccinations? Can you take your meds into the country? Both are important questions to answer.

At least three months before your trip, DOS suggests that you check your passport’s expiration date and entry requirement for your foreign designations on your trip itinerary.  Always review cancellation policies, too. It just might be prudent to consider purchasing travel and luggage insurance, says the handout, noting that many credit card, travel or tourism companies offer this protection for an additional fee. 

Before you leave, always leave a copy of your passport and travel itinerary with a family member or friend.

According to DOS, it is prudent for older travelers to know that Medicare doesn’t cover healthcare oversees. So, do your research and identify companies that offer short-term health and emergency assistance policies to cover overseas health expenses that include emergency medical and dental services, including medical evacuations.

DOS’s travel.state.gov/destination page provides details as to any health checks or vaccinations for the country you are visiting.  Schedule an appointment with your physician six to eight weeks before your trip to get your required vaccinations.  Also, identify any environmental conditions that may exacerbate your health (attitude, pollution, humidity, etc.).

Before leaving, make sure you pack ample supply of your prescription medications, suggests DOS’s handout.  Always discuss any time zone differences with your physician to make adjustments to your medication schedule both on the way out and your return home.  Always keep your medication in their original, labeled containers.  In case of a refill in a foreign country, always know the generic name of your medications.  The embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting can tell you if your prescribed medications are not considered illegal substances under the local laws.

DOS also recommends that if you have mobility issues or use a wheelchair, make sure you determine what the hotel’s access and accommodations are for swimming pools, public facilities, restaurants, bars, bathrooms, etc.

Most important, don’t forget to learn about the currency rate of the country you are visiting. Inform your bank or credit card company that you are traveling overseas so they do not freeze your account.  Ask them if they have international banking partners where you can safely deposit or make withdraws as needed. Bring travelers check or one or two major credit cards if ATM services are not available.

Staying Connected with Family and Friends

DOS suggests that you care emergency contact information during your overseas trip. Consider completing the emergency contact section in your passport.  Give your family and friends the contact information for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the country you are visiting. Investigate to see if your cellular plans offer international calling or texting packages that you can purchase to use in case of an emergency. 

Finally, DOS notes that one way to maintain emergency contact information is to enroll with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  By enrolling, your information will be securely stored, and this enables the DOS, U.S. embassies, or consulates to contact you, your family or friends, in an emergency.

Travel, a valuable resource for Americans 50-plus, who spend over $236 billion annually in leisure travel, provides expert travel advice, the latest news and travel insights.  AARP.org/travel has a wealth of articles available to anyone on vacation ideas, travel tips, and destinations to make travel simple. 

To view the full 2025 survey results, visit https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/research/topics/social-leisure/travel/2025-travel-trends.doi.10.26419-2fres.00882.001.pdf.

To review DOS’s Special Consideration for Older Travelers, go to https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/info-older-travelers.html.

To view the National Council on Aging’s Safety Travel Tips for Older Adults, go to https://www.ncoa.org/article/safe-travel-tips-for-older-adults/.

Annual AARP Snapshot of Older Travelers

Published in RINewsToday on April 17, 2023

Older travelers are gearing up for their big adventures with summertime just around the corner.  Continued inflation combined with sky-high flight costs won’t deter these individuals from planning family travel, according to a newly published AARP report. AARP’s 2023 Travel Trends survey (initially begun in 2015) examines the travel behaviors, expectations, and planning among adults.  

According to AARP’s survey findings released last week, three out five people 50-plus surveyed said they anticipate traveling in 2023 – similar to the results of last year’s travel survey. In 2015, an AARP travel research study found that found that road trips in particular are a great way to discover new adventures and connect with loved ones while still being affordable. This continues today, researchers say, noting that seniors will travel and want to save on costs. Many have found road  trips offer the flexibility and freedom they seek, they note.

Gearing up for big travel adventurers

As older travelers gear up for their big travel adventurers, similar to last year, more than half the trips anticipated in 2023 are either booked or in the planning stages, says the AARP travel study, noting that among those planning 84% have selected a destination, significantly less that what was reported in 2019 (89%).

The researchers say that road trips fulfill older travelers’ top motivation for travel in 2023, to spend more time with family and friends. They offer a set of unique benefits over other forms of travel, such as the ability to visit local attractions on the way, experience local food and culture and enjoy scenic routes on the drive.  

“Though costs are higher than normal this year, older adults are once again eager to travel. Our research shows that travel is at the top of their priority lists,” says Patty David, AARP Vice President of Consumer Insights, announcing the 2023 travel survey results on April 12, 2023.  “And, with the ability to bring family members along, many find road trips to be a budget-friendly choice as well as a fun one. Multi-generational road trips can improve emotional well-being, increase connections with loved ones, and benefit overall energy,” she says. 

Throughout the 45-page report, the researcher’s findings painted a picture about the travel habits providing interesting tidbits of information about the travel habits of seniors. For instance, most older travelers (85%) rank travel in their top three priorities for discretionary spending, significantly higher than other kinds of expenses. The findings also suggested that family trips are seniors number one motivator for domestic travel this year, ranking well above solo vacations. 

For 2023, 61% of travelers anticipate domestic-only travel. 50% of their domestic trips will be by car this year, compared to 43% in 2022.  Even with the high price of gas.  

Traveling at home or abroad

Domestic travelers plan to take more trips to the U.S. South (38%) and West (31%) than other parts of the country. The most popular destinations in 2023 are Florida (15%), California (8%), Las Vegas (7%), Texas (4%), Arizona (4%) and New York (4%), notes the AARP travel study.

When traveling overseas, air travel still remains the most popular mode of transportation (69%). Fewer 50 plus travelers will be booking passage on a cruise ship (down 9% from last year’s travel study). For those cruising, 70% say they enjoy seeing multiple locations.

The researchers found that seniors seeking to travel overseas are making their travel plans earlier in the year in 2023. They found that Europe (42%) still remains the most planned international designation, followed by Latin America/Caribbean (33%). This year’s travel survey reported that the most popular destinations attracting older travelers are Italy (8%), Great Britain (7%), France (7%), Ireland (4%), and Germany (3%).  For those attracted to Latin America/Caribbean, older travelers chose Mexico (12%), Bahamas (2%) and Aruba (2%).

As in previous years, hotels or motels are still preferred by older travelers when traveling domestically (63%) or internationally (59%), while cruise accommodations decline.

Even with news reports about new strains of COVID emerging, concerns about COVID decreased this past year among 50-plus participants, meaning most travelers (81%) feel that travel is now safe. The study’s findings indicated that seniors aged 70 and older remain the most cautious about COVID impacting their decisions to travel.

Bucket list of places to go

Sixty three percent of the survey’s respondents say they have a budget list of places they would like to visit. “The idea of a bucket list trip is as intriguing today, if not more so, than it was prior to the pandemic lockdown,” noted the AARP report.  However, a change in cost of travel (21%), their discretionary income (12%), or their health 16 %) are potential barriers to taking “bucket list trips,” say the researchers.

AARP gathered this data through a 15-minute online survey of 2,000 Americans aged 18 and older conducted November 10 to December 5, 2022. Respondents sampled had taken at least one trip within the past two years 50 miles or more away from home, with at least a two-night stay. They also were required to have used an online travel site within the past two years and intended to travel for leisure in 2023. For the nontraveler findings, a 10-minute online survey was administered to 500 Americans aged 18 and over who do not plan to travel in 2023, but historically have traveled for leisure purposes.

To view the full 2023 survey results, visit www.aarp.org/2023TravelTrends. For details, contact Vicki Levy at vlevy@aarp.org.

For more information on older travelers, visit: www.aarp.org/travel

Sizing Up Baby Boomer Travel Trends

Published in the Woonsocket Call on December 16, 2018

Over a week ago, AARP Travel released the long-awaited results of its annual travel trend survey, examining travel behaviors across generations, looking at expectations and planning among Baby Boomers (ages 54 to 72), Gen Xers (38 to 53), and Millennials (ages 21 to 37).

According to the new national AARP survey, Boomers, considered to be enthusiastic travelers, expressed an eagerness to travel in 2019, planning to take a total of four to five leisure trips, on which they will spend over $6,600 (compared to Gen Xers spending $5,400 and Millennials outlaying $ 4,440.)

Meanwhile, a small number of the AARP survey’s respondents say they will only travel internationally (6 percent) while the rest are equally split between traveling throughout the nation (48 percent) or traveling both domestically and internationally (48 percent).

For Boomers, Planning a Trip is Not a Last Minute Chore

According to the 47-page 2019 Boomer Travel Trends report, released on Dec. 3, 2018, this year’s travel planning is taking place earlier as compared to previous years. A significant majority of Boomers (88 percent) planning domestic trips in 2019 have already selected their destination, an increase from 72 percent of 2018 domestic travelers. For Boomers traveling abroad, 31 percent had booked their 2019 trips by September 2018, up from 23 percent by September of the previous year in 2018 and 17 percent in 2017.

The AARP survey notes that when Boomers travel overseas, Europe continues to be the most popular choice followed by Italy and France. The findings also indicate that trips to the Caribbean and South and Central America remain popular, but interest in Mexico is waning.

For Boomers, domestic travel preferences have not changed in several years; Southern and Western states continue to be popular to most older travelers. Boomers are most likely to plan summer vacations (13 percent), weekend getaways (12 percent), and multi-generational trips (11 percent).

Travel destination preferences remain unchanged from last year, with Florida (17 percent) being the top-mentioned location followed by California (11%), New York (5%), Texas (5%), and Las Vegas (5%).

“According to this research, Boomers travel plans in 2019 are focused on spending time with family and friends, while getting away from everyday life,” said Patty David, Director Consumer Insights, and Personal Fulfillment in a statement. “Whether it’s a weekend road trip or an international vacation, Boomers are eager to travel in 2019 and are planning earlier and spending more than in year’s past.” she says.

The AARP Travel survey results also indicate that when traveling Boomers seek connection with locals for an authentic experience, especially over meals or when taking tours on international trips. Work was not found to be the biggest barrier to travel for older travelers, but cost (40 percent) and health issues/concerns (32 percent) were mentioned most often by the survey respondents.

Boomer respondents also tend to travel to get away from the day to day routines (47 percent) to relax (48 percent), and to spend time with family and friends (57 percent). Twenty four percent of the boomers say they have placed taking an international vacation on their life’s bucket list.

Researchers also took a look at intergeneration travel trends, too. Thirty-two percent of grandparents have taken their grandkids on a skip-generation trip, leaving mom and pop at home, and 15 percent of these older travelers are already planning to do so in 2019. Seventy-seven percent of these Boomers will do most of the trip planning themselves and 76 percent will pay for most of the trip.

Working Boomers do not feel compelled to stay connected to the office while traveling but for those who choose to will limit contact time, says the AARP survey’s finding. A few have even taken the opportunity to extend work trips for pleasure and fun or intend to do so in future trips.

Finally, most of the AARP survey respondents say they travel with a smartphone on domestic trips, but about only half choose to bring them on international trips. The top use for these phones while on vacation is to take photos.

Boomer Travel Trends in the Nation’s Smallest State

Lara Salamano, Chief Marketing Officer of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, sees tourism as an important industry in the state. “It is the fifth-largest industry in R.I. by employment, and in 2017, the total traveler economy reached $6.5 billion,” she says.

“Multigenerational vacations featuring extended stays in vacation rentals or weekend family getaways are very popular here in the Ocean State,” says Salamano, noting that tourists are taking full advantage of the state’s authentic experiences, specifically great food, historic, natural beauty including its beaches, walking and bike trails and cultural attractions. “We also have a great array of soft adventure activities for the whole family. This is a case where our size works to our advantage as families can easily experience a wide range of different activities in a short period of time,” she adds.

Salamano notes that water, sailing, horse-riding on the beach, golf also attracts Boomers, too. Rhode Island is playing host to the U.S.G.A. Senior Open in 2020, she adds.

In addition, Boomers are big shoulder season travelers as they are not tied down by school vacation period. They are free to enjoy midweek and off-peak times of year to avoid higher prices, she says…

While summer remains the state’s most popular tourism season, the state’s Marketing Office has identified shoulder seasons as growth opportunities, says Salamano, noting that “Our most popular trip is domestic travelers living within a three-hour drive.

Salamano sees the Ocean States as quite different from those popular travel destinations chosen by the respondents of this year’s AARP’s Travel Survey. “Those destinations are also much larger, whereas Rhode Island’s small size ensures visitors are spending less time driving in traffic or waiting in lines, and more time actually on vacation. This was the jumping off point for our “Fun Sized” ad campaign which we rolled out last year,” she said. To see Fun Sized videos, go to http://www.visitrhodeisland.com/press/fun-sized-campaign/.

Getting the Bang for Your Marketing Dollars

According to Salamano, Rhode Island’s public relations strategy targeting Millennials involves pitching journalists on Rhode Island’s newest offerings such as new craft breweries and wineries, restaurants, special events, and hotel accommodations. This has led to placements national publications (including the New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, and Forbes) as well as more targeted publications such as the Boston Globe, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and TimeOutNewYork.

Digital ads are targeted to both Boomers and Millennials. “We have a robust advertising strategy, including digital ad placements to target audiences on websites that include travel planning sites and news publications. Digital advertising allows us to both target audiences and track our performance very effectively. Our ‘Fun Sized’ videos feature a wide variety of activities that appeal to both Baby Boomers and Millennials. This includes rock climbing, horseback riding and bird watching, to music, performances, restaurants and WaterFire,” says Salamano.

To read the full AARP Travel survey results, go to http://www.aarp.org/2019traveltrends. For more information, contact Vicki Gelfeld at vgelfeld@aarp.org.