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28 Mar, 2012

Insurance Company Tips for Catering To Older Travellers

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Croydon, United Kingdom (PRWEB UK) 27 March 2012 — They have time, money and a spirit of adventure – and holiday experts say a key trend for 2012 is travel by the over-55s.

They are more determined to keep taking holidays than any other age group despite the economic gloom, according to the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), with leisurely cruise, rail and coach tours all popular. One in ten 55 to 65-year-olds even went on more than four foreign holidays last year.

The travel experts at Direct Travel Insurance believe more ‘grey gappers’ in their 50s and up are setting off to explore the world because they didn’t have the chance when they were younger, unlike today’s teenage backpackers. Destinations include Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Borneo.

With one in four over-55s either planning to take a gap-year break or having been on such a trip in the last five years,* here are some tips for older travellers (even if 55 is young really!)

·         Research online for hotels that say they are particularly suited to older visitors (comments on ratings websites can be useful too.)

·         Make life easier by investing in good-quality travel bags with robust wheels to glide through airports, onto ships and along hotel corridors.

·         When exploration beckons, it could be wise to book with a specialist company used to guiding older travellers through the challenges of an adventure holiday.

·         Make sure holiday insurance covers pre-existing medical conditions. Good insurers cover thousands of conditions and customers can be sure of private medical care if they need treatment while they are away.

·         Choose travel insurance for older travellers from a reputed insurer. Cover should be available up to the age of 74.

*According to a report from Post Office Travel Money