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Here is a look at various travel packages on offer for senior citizens and some factors to keep in mind when booking a holiday
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Sashi and Geeta Kumar, retired bank employees from Kerala, have just returned from their 23-day-long char dham pilgrimage across India. The elderly couple travelled with a group of people who were mostly between the age of 50 and 70 years.
“The travel company, Sapthagiri Tours and Travels, took us for this trip. We try and go for a trip with this travel company once a year. What I like the most is the food. They have their own cooks who make food for travellers," said Geeta. The Kumars have two grown up children—a daughter who stays in Mumbai and has her own start-up venture, and a son who works in Toronto, Canada. Geeta says that her children usually go on holidays with their own friends, while she and her husband travel with theirs. “The last time we went on a holiday with our daughter was in 2009, when we went to Coorg," said Sashi.
There are many other seniors like the Kumars who go on holidays on their own. And capturing this rising trend are holiday and tour companies. “While this category is still at a nascent stage, we have definitely seen an uptick in bookings by over the past few years. Main drivers include rise in disposable income, increasing aspirations, working children who have migrated to other cities," said Sharat Dhall, president, Yatra.com.
“While much has been made of the ‘young’ Indian travel segment, our internal data revealed that over 27% of our existing holiday business already constituted senior travellers (60 years and above)," said Shibani Phadkar, senior vice-president and head-leisure travel outbound, products, contracting, operations and tour management, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd.
Mint Money takes a look at various travel packages on offer and some factors to keep in mind when booking a holiday.
What’s on offer?
One would assume that since the tour packages are aimed at seniors, it would include just pilgrimages and the like. But that is not true. There are short trips both within the country and abroad, and longer holidays.
“Both domestic and outbound (packages) have demand. But domestic travel is what first-time senior travellers usually choose," said Amit Agarwal, senior marketing manager, Hotels.com.
Since senior citizens have specific needs, these packages also come with certain amenities that can be helpful. “Our Silver Breaks (senior citizens’ tour packages) product portfolio includes elder-friendly hotel accommodation and sightseeing, porter assistance, assistance for special dietary needs, on- trip medical assistance, hand-picked experienced tour managers, easy access transport and so on," said Phadkar.
Some tour operators provide arrangements different from those designed for younger travellers. “We avoid modern hotels and look for traditional buildings. We also insist on a location that’s within walking distance of everything important. We pace our tours to avoid overly-long hours on a bus," said Daniel D’souza, head sales-India and NRI markets, tour operating, Kuoni India.
Things to look out for
As is the case with everything, you must read the fine print before you book a holiday package. There isn’t a cost differential when it comes to packages. For instance, Kesari Tours Pvt. Ltd’s 6 days-5 nights package to Dubai under its Second Innings Tours (for senior citizens) and a similar package for regular travellers costs the same—87,247 (as on 7 October).
Sometimes, it might even be cheaper to book a regular plan. For example, Thomas Cook’s Serene Sojourn Kerala, a 7-day holiday, costs 27,500, however, its Simply Kerala (7 nights and 8 days) package costs 19,999 (as on 7 October).
Insurance will be an extra cost for you while booking a travel package if you are above 70 years. Some companies, like Kesari, include the cost of insurance for those up to the age of 70. Others like Paras Holidays mention in the list of inclusions travel insurance of 700 for those up to 59 years; those over 60 years will be charged as per the premium mentioned on their travel insurance. Travellers older than 70 years have to give medical reports and are charged extra as per the premium mentioned on their insurance.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that travel packages are hectic; many places are crammed into the few days. For instance, Kuoni India’s Majestic Europe package for senior citizens covers 10 countries in 15 days—which comes to just a day-and-a-half in each country. For a senior, this might be too hectic to handle. So, do go through the itinerary properly (go to https://mintne.ws/1mv6d0f to read more).
“Visit the tour operator for detailed information about the package rather than relying solely on the company’s website," said D’souza. Make sure that you have been briefed on cost of entrance fees, transportation, refreshments, and so on.
If instead of booking a package with a tour company you choose to travel on your own, before going on a holiday talk to others who have gone on similar trips and get a feel of how things will be.
If it is your first time, you may want to get some friends to go along with you on the trip. The Kumars, for example, travel with 4-5 friends on their trips.
So, just like it’s important to know everything about a financial product before you invest, it’s wise to know what is offered and what’s not before you book a tour package as well.
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