Between 2005 and 2010 vacation travel by Europeans, aged 55 and above, expanded by 17% or 78 million (27%) holiday trips abroad.

Left: Miskawaan, Koh Samui, Thailand

According to an analysis commissioned by Messe Berlin and carried out by the World Travel Monitor®, the most important source markets for the over 50s are the United Kingdom with 16.1 million and Germany with 15.3 million vacation trips.

Travel by the silver age group from Britain has risen by 28% since 2005, while the German market has stagnated. France is third with 7.2 million and the Netherlands with 6.9 million trips. These four countries account for 60% of all travellers in the over-55 age group.

Beach holidays outstrip other type of vacation in Europe, and are even gaining in popularity. They account for 28% of Europe’s over 50s’ travelling market and is the fastest growing sector, increasing by four million since 2005 (22% rise).

The city tour sector has also expanded significantly, capturing16% of the market share, with the 55s’ growing by three million (32%).

Cruises are also in demand, with an increase of 2.4 million trips by people in this age group. This is followed by excursions, with a rise of 2.1 million. There was also slight growth across Europe in sports and health-oriented holidays.

In Germany, despite a strong decline by the silver age group in beach holidays (-3.8 million trips, -18%), they nevertheless remain the most popular type of vacation. The winners are smaller market segments such as health-based vacations (0.7 million trips, +61%), cruises (0.9 million trips, +64%), sports holidays (1 million trips, +53 and city tours (2 million trips, +30%).  

Other countries, however, have their own holiday preferences. In the United Kingdom the beach is still the most popular form of vacation, while the French love excursions and vacations at beach resorts.

in the Netherlands the over 50s, who travel abroad, still tend to prefer holidays in the countryside. The biggest expansion has been recorded in city tours and holidays on the beach.

Dr Martin Buck (pictured right), director of the Competence Centre Travel and Logistics at Messe Berlin said that socio-demographic change in Europe presented a major challenge, as well as offering enormous opportunities.

“As the number of older vacationers rises, so this target group acquires growing importance for the travel industry as a whole. That is why it is so important for the world’s travel industry to be informed about the requirements, demands and wishes of the over fifties with regard to their travel plans.”