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Surge in digital literacy among over 45s

The majority of people surveyed (34%) preferred to book holidays online directly through a holiday provider site. Online comparison sites were popular among the 45-54 age demographic (17%), but were not highly regarded in the 65+ category (9%). Women of 65+ came out with a majority when it came to booking via price comparison sites (75%).

Recent research by Saga Holidays, who serve the needs of travellers aged 50+, surveyed 1,000 people across the UK aged 45 to 65+ to better understand how digitally savvy they were when researching and booking their holidays.

  • When it came to the sources that senior travellers used to research their holiday destination and plan holiday activities, online research was preferred, with review sites such as Trip Advisor topping the charts (68%).
  • The majority of people surveyed (34%) preferred to book holidays online directly through a holiday provider site. Online comparison sites were popular among the 45 – 54 age demographic (17%), but were not highly regarded in the 65+ category (9%). Women of 65+ came out with a majority when it came to booking via price comparison sites (75%)  
  • Most were comfortable with online transactions. More than half of 45-65 year olds said they would be comfortable buying online. The main reason signalled for those who did not feel comfortable making payments online was the risk of fraud.
  • Six out of ten over 50s couldn’t live without online banking, according to a survey done by Saga earlier this year.
  • Interestingly, older travellers generally owned at least three tech devices (65%). Tablets, smartphones and laptops were the most popular.
  • However, travel reward points were mostly deemed as unimportant, particularly amongst those aged 65 and over (49%).

According to a consumer spending report released by Saga in 2014, the over 50s are estimated to account for more than 50% of the UK’s incomes, 68% of the UK’s wealth and 76% of the UK’s financial wealth.

Even though today’s digital environment is perceived as the playground of the young, these results demonstrate that the real revenue is coming from people aged 50+ who have the time, the disposable income and are far savvier about the internet than they are given credit for.

Saga’s research also highlights that the number of over 50s in employment has grown remarkably in the past 20 years. In fact by the end of 2014 over 50s represented the second largest proportion of total people in employment in the UK.

Top 10 most inspirational publishers for senior travellers
1) TripAdvisor
2) The Telegraph
3) National Geographic
4) The Guardian
5) Daily Mail
6) Wanderlust
7) Rough Guides
8) Taste and Travel Magazine
9) Woman’s Weekly Magazine
10) Fodor’s

Top 10 most inspirational blogs for senior travellers
1) Walkhighlands.co.uk
2) Sidetracked.com
3) Thequirkytraveller.com
4) Nomadicmatt.com
5) Journeywoman.com
6) Boomeresque.com
7) Travelpod.com
8) Tipsfortravellers.com
9) Globalgrasshoper.com
10) Thepoortraveler.net


News Editor - TravelDailyNews Media Network | + Posts

Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.

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