Seniors, most wanted toutistic target

The aging population is one of the most consequential demographic phenomena have on the travel industry in the coming years. According to the World Tourism Mundialdel, those over 65 years now account for 17.4% of the population in 2030 UniónEuropea.Suponiendo dela union to remain in the twenty-seven countries today, two decades before this figure will have risen to 26.6 percent.

 

In order to take full advantage of the two most salient features that are attributed to the new 'seniors' increased purchasing power, and more free time, destinations, hotels and tour operators are beginning to pour into them their latest products. The TUI Wholesale Club Elan has created, led the Germans over 55 years. Offers vacation packages with plenty of leisure and hospitality offer tailored. Another formula that is becoming common is the special discount: The Spanish Paradores hotel company public markets the Golden Days, with prices discounted by 30 percent over the initial rate. The creation of hotels for the elderly are among the most innovative initiatives of the new entrepreneurs. And veterans: Sol Hotels, Meliá Hotels International brand, has 22 service establishments, personnel and facilities specifically tailored.

 

Within the senior segment of the population 50 years is the target a65 most sought after tourist agents. The phenomenon is more easily understood if we consider the average visitor who frequents the specialized European fairs: average age 61 years and six out of ten with a net annual salary of 28,500 to 56,000 euros. This is at least compelling portrait of the public who go to salons "50 Plus Beurs" the editorial Bayard Group, a world leader in this market, is organizing two decades throughout Europe.

 

Retired adventurer

Other features of a more sociological color profile for a client project senior adventurer, who in his youth invented divorce, experienced the hippie movement and opposed the conventional family model. And of course, open to new experiences in the travel industry designed exclusively for him. However, leaving aside the lyricism of the language of advertising, which is essential in the catalogs but no efficacy as an element of analysis, the critical factor is economic: in the center of the target is located a citizen with a good and stable level of income, home ownership and free from family obligations.

 

Profitability for all

In Europe there are 102 million citizens of 55 a75 years. In Spain, as of July 1 was 9,315,990, according to estimates from the National Institute of Statistics. Extend the season, promote healthy aging and disseminate European citizenship are the topics that support the official propaganda. But the truth is that even the government perceive the profitability that is hidden behind a large size market whose potential is just beginning to be seen.

 

The "major culprit" of this impending boom Imserso is Spanish, the first European history of this market. Started in 1985 with 16,000 places far and only two destinations (Palma and Benidorm), in 25 years more than 12 million Spanish pensioners have traveled with him. Today it has a million seats per year and distributed by Spain Andorra Portugal. In the winter of 2010 generated 105,000 jobs.

 

In Spain also includes the second great experience in this field, Europe Senior Tourism program, which subsidizes the holidays since 2009 in Spain for over 55 years originating from emerging European markets. This is a pioneering program at the international level and are looking to implement Portugal, France, Italy, Greece and Poland.

 

But for now the results are light years ahead of Imserso. In its first two issues discussed has brought 100,000 tourists to Spain from 16 nationalities and generated 800,000 overnight stays. The countries of origin, little exploited in terms of tourism, have been mainly Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Hungary. To a lesser extent Italy, Greece and Ireland.

 

But there are many more places that have been empty and not a little bewilderment consolidated destination of sun and sand have not achieved the success of Andalusia, with the best records. Balearic Islands, for example, where in relation to the total coverage available places has been low, 16,300 troops of the 58,000 tourists as possible. In this archipelago, expectations were not met even in the 2010-2011 season, when the unpredictability of the pilot edition was believed exceeded supply and suffered a drastic adjustment.

 

According to the results provided by the Government, for every euro invested in the program public Senior Tourism Europe have recovered 1.3 euros. Perhaps that is why the government has decided to maintain the free economic allocation of budget cuts. In the next edition will invest 4.5 million to defray 46,875 seats, 50% of the total. The other half will be financed Andalucía, Baleares andthe ComunidadValenciana, the three autonomous communities that continue in the third edition (subject to permit their budget deficits). And another negative factor: the Canary Islands has been taken down on the grounds that the initiative does not fit the profile of your winter visitor.

 

More tourists, more work, more money

In the private sector, welcomed the senior segment is unanimous. Rafael Gallego, President Federation Españolade dela Travel Agencies (FEAAV), a market it considers essential to prolong the season: the arrival of tourists improves and stimulates the labor market: according to their data, for every hundred thousand jobs are created 6,000 jobs .

 

Gallego IMSERSO results highlight that lift the profit made by public administrations of 1, 3 a1, 8 euros. "It's a well organized program, which is why Europe wants to copy it. In areas such as Costa del Sol, the Balearics and the Canaries is a need to broaden the number of places. "