In the last one year, 65-year-old retired college professor Rafat Khan has floated in the Dead Sea in Jordan, watched elephants at play in Sri Lanka, shopped in the quaint markets of Vietnam and spent time at the Everest base camp in Tibet on the 65th anniversary of the mountain’s conquest. Sometimes in tour groups, at other times with family, the Amravati resident has packed in more than six-seven such trips since last summer and has no intention of letting up the pace.
Next on the cards? Visiting Iceland in September to see the Northern Lights.
"My wanderlust kicked in late,” laughed Khan. "Now my kids are settled, and I get a good enough pension. I want to get through my bucket list while I’m active.”
Higher disposable incomes and more adventurous mindsets, coupled with more affordable travel, has propelled senior citizens like Khan to travel more than ever before, say leading travel companies, fuelling a spurt in demand in the segment.
Today’s Gen S–some call them ‘seenagers’ or ‘senior teenagers’--are healthier and wealthier than their predecessors and are willing to spend more on experiences rather than material goods, said Sangita Bhattacharyya, founder of 50+ Voyagers Travel and Adventure Club. According to her, these senior citizens consider travel as a way to socialise and keep their minds active and engaged. Other reasons include more free time after retirement, independent children leaving home for jobs or higher studi ..
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