More retirees opt for 'adventure tourism' in Asia

21 Mar 2011  2038 | World Travel News

A trip around Europe, a cruise through the Caribbean - these luxury, aspirational destinations used to be the staple of retirement dreams for most of the middle class in the English speaking world. Now, with more money and time to spare and having often gotten these more traditional destinations out of the way earlier on in life, retirees are venturing further afield - and the tourism industries of developing Asian nations like India, Thailand and Vietnam are benefiting.

With interesting cultural offerings, good climate and cheap living costs, these destinations have always proved popular with backpackers, and as a result many adventure tour companies have sprung up to offer package deals, particularly in the early noughties as the trend of the 'gap year' took hold. But as one London-based tour operator told Relax News, it's the older generation who are now providing the base of the demand.

"I started my company to take young professionals abroad for adventurous holidays, but then realised I was getting calls from their parents", says Original Travel's Tom Barber, whose company runs expeditions in India, Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand. "People jokingly call them SKIers, which stands for Spending the Kids' Inheritance."

In 2009 alone, over 100,000 British citizens between 55 and 64 travelled to India, while 51,000 went to China. Whilst not usually eligible to stay at youth hostels, but often seeking a more genuine experience than a cloistered five-star hotel, the influx of retiree tourists to Asia has created a new demand for niche holiday accomodation. "Older people are very discerning about seeking out special experiences, and combining those with quality accomodation and food", said Jamshyd Sethna of tour company Lakhti Himalaya, which provides guests with luxury accomodation at isolated lodges in India's famous mountain range.

Sean Tipton of the Association of British Travel Agents agreed that the tide was turning amongst mature travellers in favour of developing Asian nations. "Most people aged 55 and over would have been looking at a coach trip around Europe 30 years ago", said Tipton. "We have seen fundamental change since then, with people who have retired but refuse to be pigeonholed."

Source = ourcambodia.co.cc

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