SINGAPORE: Over 55 And A Silver Goldmine

SINGAPORE (ChannelNews Asia), November 5, 2007: If you are 55 years and above, would a tour package offering therapeutic getaways appeal to you? Such ideas are a sign that the travel industry is beginning to recognise the goldmine of opportunities the silver generation presents. Bigger players such as Commonwealth Travel (CTC Holidays) and SA Tours are taking note of the marked increase in elderly customers. The latter said it has seen a 20-per-cent growth in the past year, with its China packages seeing a 30-per-cent growth among older folks. Some companies who say the numbers are too small to warrant elderly-specific packages have nonetheless slowed the pace of the tours for them, while agencies such as CTC advise elderly customers of potential health risks, or request they go for a medical check-up before travelling. One industry player said there were business opportunities in the health concerns of the elderly. "Many of them are beginning to look at alternative (medical), health tourism ... If you can cater products to meet this demand, I think there is a very, very good pool of senior travellers in Singapore who can provide three or four times travel a year, so I think that's a very, very important market not to be missed," said Insight Vacations' Asia regional director Robin Yap. Mr Pua Song Kuan, 70, and Mr Tung Kheng Hock, 72, have been to over 20 places between them since they retired nearly a decade ago. China is a firm favourite for both, but Mr Pua counted Zimbabwe among his more unusual destinations. "I'm travelling while I still can because I'm so old already. If I like the food in a place, then why not go (there)?" said Mr Pua. Mr Tung agreed: "I'm okay with spending the money. My daughter gives me money to go travelling, she says I'm so old already, (I) should travel more." Source: CHANNEL NEWSASIA