Domestic Research: Travel by Mature Americans

Mature travelers (age 55+) spend more time on the road than any other age group. The average duration of their trips is 4.9 nights. Even when including day trips in the average, mature travelers continue to rank first over other age groups with 3.9 nights average trip duration. 

Mature travelers, age 55 and older, spend more money on outdoor vacations than any other age group in the U.S.. The average spending by mature travelers on their last adventure travel vacation was $1,300 compared to $950 for travelers between the ages of 35-54 and $660 for travelers between the ages 18-34. Mature travelers, age 55 and older, account for 14% of all soft adventure travelers and account for 9% of all hard adventure travelers. Source Adventure Travel Report 1997

Mature travelers enjoy historic trips and travelers age 55 and older account for 32% of all travelers who have visited a historic site or museum. In comparison 27% of all U.S. adults have taken a trip to a museum or historic site. In addition, 18% of all historic travelers are retired. Travelers who attend cultural events are more likely to be age 55 or older. Thirty three percent of all cultural travelers are 55 or older, compared to 27% of the U.S. adult population. Retired travelers account for 19% of all cultural travelers compared to 15% of the adult population. Source: Profile of Travelers Who Participate in Cultural and Historic Activities

Mature travelers age 55 and older are the least likely to use the Internet for any purpose. Twenty-one percent say they use the Internet compared to 45% of all U.S. adults, only ten percent use the Internet for travel plans compared to 25% of the adult population and two percent use the Internet for travel reservations compared to eight percent of all U.S. adults. Source: Travelers Use of the Internet

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