People are living longer than ever before – and not just longer, but healthier too.
Since 1960, global life expectancy has climbed by nearly 40%, thanks to advances in
healthcare and better management of chronic illnesses. For many retirees and semi-
retirees, that means more energy, greater independence, and the chance to do more
of what they love.
Older adults today are also, on average, better off than previous generations at the
same age. And one of the most popular ways they’re making the most of this stage
in life? Packing their bags and heading out to explore.
“In South Africa and around the world, older adults are rewriting the retirement
rulebook and quietly reshaping the travel landscape,” notes Shaun Lamont,
Managing Director of First Group Hotels and Resorts. “For a growing number,
retirement isn’t about slowing down; it’s about starting fresh – discovering new
places, meeting new people, and enjoying experiences that truly matter”.
Today’s mature travellers have a distinctly different mindset and are making choices
that would have been unthinkable for previous generations. Research shows they’re
not just travelling more – they’re travelling with intent.
“The old playbook for senior travel has been torn up,” says Lamont, who offers a
closer look at six key trends shaping the travel landscape for the 60+ generation in
the 2020s.
1. Three-Generation Travel
Multigenerational travel is becoming a feature of South African holidays. With
86% of families now including grandparents in their travel plans, the older
adults are often the ones initiating and organising these shared experiences –
choosing travel that strengthens family bonds and creates lasting memories.
2. Stretching the Stay
South African seniors now average over 16 travel days per trip, with many
opting for extended stays that allow time to explore, absorb, and relax.
Holidays in the past often revolved around the calendar of young families –
short breaks, convenient destinations, and kid-friendly choices. Now, they’re
able to travel on their own terms, heading to places they’ve long wanted to
see or that have special meaning.
3. More Than Sightseeing
There’s a growing pull toward experiences that support well-being and offer a
deeper sense of connection. With fewer constraints and more flexibility,
retirees are choosing experiences that are enriching. Whether it’s a wellness-
focused escape or a heritage-rich journey, the shift is clear: they want more
than just a change of scenery. Their travels reflect their values – whether
that’s learning something new, supporting local communities, or simply
finding joy in unfamiliar places.
4. Social Bonding
In a country where social isolation among seniors is a growing concern, travel
is emerging as a powerful antidote. Group tours and shared experiences offer
more than entertainment – they create opportunities for meaningful
connection.
5. Following the Seasons, Thoughtfully
Some older South Africans are taking to seasonal travel for comfort and
wellbeing. Chasing cooler coastal breezes or avoiding winter chills with
longer stays, they’re simply choosing to live well, all year round.
6. Going the Distance to Connect
Family connections are also becoming a major travel motivator for South
Africans. With emigration splitting families across continents, many parents
are becoming frequent travellers, turning what used to be once-in-a-lifetime
trips into essential relationship maintenance. These international trips help
them to stay involved in their children's lives and build relationships with
grandchildren they might otherwise only know through video calls. Plus, they
get to see some sights along the way.
“Today’s over-60s are not the seniors of previous generations,” Lamont reflects.
“They’re redefining what later life looks like and choosing holidays that create lasting,
magical memories that stay with them well beyond the journey itself,” he concludes.
ENDS
WORD COUNT: 610
Sources:
https://ourworldindata.org/life-expectancy
https://www.nber.org/papers/w34131
https://partner.booking.com/en-gb/click-magazine/trends-insights/senior-travel-trends-retirement-travel
https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/social-leisure/travel/2020-travel-trends/
https://ptmgroups.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Rise-of-Mulitgenerational-Travel.pdf
https://theseniorlist.com/travel/statistics/
Press Release Disseminated on Behalf of:
Shaun Lamont
Managing Director of First Group Hotels and Resorts