Traveling in Retirement: Beyond Senior Discounts
by Carol Greenfield, Senior Web Solutions
Traveling in retirement almost always was viewed as discounted travel with senior discounts on airlines, hotels, rental cars and major tourist attractions. Although some senior discounts still remain and continue to be a nice perk, older adults are now often viewing travel in retirement in combination with opportunities for continuing their education, to fulfill a social mission and even to live in a country that they always dreamed about. In addition, they continue to seek out these opportunities well into their later years with some assistance from sites such as www.accessiblejourneys.com that provide information about travel agents, equipment rentals, group tours and other services specifically for mature travelers and those with more special needs.
Of particular interest to mature travelers are the following sites:
- For continuing education - Elderhostel (www.elderhostel.org) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing a diverse and affordable selection of learning adventures to individuals 55 and over. Programs include traditional offerings as well as adventure, service and intergenerational programs. Elderhostel is the world's largest educational and travel organization for older adults.
- For social mission - Earthwatch Institute (www.earthwatch.org) engages people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Since 1971 the worldwide organization has recruited over 65,000 volunteers in support of 2,800 field research projects in 118 countries.
- For living abroad - Seniors Home Exchange (www.seniorshomeexchange.com) connects people age 50 plus with opportunities to exchange their homes for short or extended vacations. It is an ideal way for visitors to experience the lifestyle of a country, with the friends and neighbors of exchange partners often happy to recommend local attractions, shops and restaurants well off the expensive tourist trail.
More information about mature travel opportunities is available at the NMRLS Lifelong Access eXchange: http://www.nmrls.org/tlx/index.shtml. To share mature travel resources with other librarians, please email Mary Behrle and we will include them on the web site.
Also check the Lifelong Access blog for ideas and information to serve the older, active adults in your library.
