Baby Boomers have been known to cause change…well they are at it again!
Now that the Baby Boomers have more money and time to travel, the travel industry is looking for ways to capture this market. The Boomers, once again are rejecting what their parents did before them, they don’t want to sit on a bus going from one tourist sight to another with just time for a photo or two and a visit to the gift store. After all they have always done things their way; back packing through Europe stopping when and where they wanted to and taking time to investigate the area and meet the people. Not that they are getting older…but there is something said about a nice bed, clean bathroom and someone taking care of the bags, and I speak as a Boomer!
Two of the tour companies that have come out with tours for people who don’t like tours, to capture this market, are Tauck and Insight Vacations.
Tauck’s new division – Centurions Tours
Where travelers can immerse in the culture, shop in a local market for your cooking class; or hiking, bicycling or kayaking through the area. The groups are smaller, an average of 20 passengers, traveling in small vehicles – not big buses. Most important is Tauck’s 84 years of experience, which makes touring areas not open to the public and other special experiences possible. Think – more active, more culture and small groups. Destinations: Tuscany & Cinque Terre, South Africa & Namibia, Provence and Costa Rica.
Insight Vacations – Select
The Select journeys give the independent minded traveler choices not available in past group travel. You have flexibility, you can join the tour when you want and you can leave when you want. While on the tour an orientation sightseeing tour is included in each city, you can then tour on your own or take a Select sightseeing package in each city…do as little or as much as you want.. You can be independent while having the benefits of traveling with a group; travel arrangements, baggage handling and a tour guide to assist and answer questions. European Destinations available.
Baby Boomers want adventure, to be active, to participate and to learn. The day’s of if this is Tuesday it must be Belgium with groups spending one night in each place, is fast becoming a thing of the past. Thanks to the Boomers travelers are coming home with more then a photo of a monument they passed by on the bus! Imagine the Possibilities…